There are a variety of ways that people have tried to cure head lice in the past. Mayonnaise and peanut butter are what come to mind for most, but recently parents have been trying a few more extreme options to rid their family of these stubborn critters. It is a common misbelief that things like swimming in a chlorinated pool or bleaching your hair will be able to kill the lice, but unfortunately, this is not the case. Many of the chemical products on the market, prescription or not, are harmful to the body and should not be used for lice treatment. Here are a few of the chemicals that are being used to treat head lice and the effects that they can have on the body.

Does alcohol kill lice?

While it is true that some types of alcohol can kill lice, it’s a little more complicated than it sounds. Benzyl alcohol used to be prescribed to kill head lice in patients from the age of 6 months to 60 years. Most people would suspect that the alcohol would poison the lice or make them let go of the hair shaft, but it was actually used to suffocate them. The main drawback is that this treatment is not ovicidal, meaning it does not kill the lice eggs, which makes it an ineffective head lice treatment. 

Does bleach kill lice?

Though bleach does contain very powerful chemicals, including hydrogen peroxide, ammonium persulfate, and stearyl alcohol, it cannot effectively kill head lice or their eggs. Attempting to use it as a treatment is very dangerous and could damage the skin as well as the lungs due to the toxic fumes.

Lindane lice shampoo

One of the most popular at-home remedies for head lice is what would appear as a harmless bottle of shampoo. Despite seeming harmless, most doctors and head lice professionals agree that this treatment is dangerous and is banned in over fifty countries. Lindane shampoo contains a neurotoxin that can be absorbed through the skin of the head lice, killing them quickly. What they don’t tell you on the bottle is that the same neurotoxin can be absorbed through your skin too, which can damage the kidneys, liver, and nervous system. 

Does Stromectol treat head lice?

This treatment comes in the form of a pill and is reserved for patients with head lice infestations. The substance that is used in this medication is the same one used to kill heartworms and other parasites found in pets. Though this option doesn’t have as many serious health implications, side effects can include headaches, dizziness, and diarrhea.

Fresh Heads Lice Removal in Orlando, FL

Finding a safe and efficient cure to head lice is what we specialize in here at Fresh Heads Lice Removal. If you or someone you know is dealing with head lice, then please visit our clinics in Jacksonville and Jax Beach, FL, Savannah GA, and Orlando FL. We are dedicated to a chemical-free treatment for head lice that takes just 90 minutes, with no follow-up appointment needed. Book your appointment today. 

Schools Without Lice

At Fresh Heads Lice Removal, our mission is to get rid of lice in schools across the United States. We’ve partnered with the Lice Clinics of America to create the Schools Without Lice program. Through this program, we provide school nurses and teachers with free screenings, resources, and treatments. Together, we can have schools without lice!