Alas, my teen daughter has head lice (yeah, it's making the rounds among teens in our area right now--after we escaped it all through elementary school!). We'll be doing lots and lots of nit-combing on a regular schedule for a while to come, which friends who've had teens with lice say is the one best thing to do. But my daughter has very thick hair and I think we'll also need to try something that penetrates it..... I'd prefer to avoid the insecticide-based over the counter treatments, especially because the CDC says half the states now have insecticide-resistant lice so these treatments may or may not work.
The question: Has anyone tried a pesticide-free product called Vamousse? It's a mousse you put on dry hair, leave in briefly, then leave on while you pick out nits and lice. I'd like to know if it did or didn't work for you. It claims to work by dehydrating the eggs and bugs. I've also heard of a saline-based spray that you spray on and leave in to dry that also supposedly dries things up. Any experiences? I'm going out to get this stuff to use tonight....
I'm sure some folks might mention using tea tree oil, by the way, but my daughter is sensitive to it so that's not an option for us. I'd be glad to try if if we could. I'm also already aware of treatments such as olive or other oils, mayonnaise etc. to smother bugs, etc. and might need those at some point but for now would like to know if Vamousse in particular has worked for you.
Thanks very much, everyone.
You need to get rid of all the nits now. When my friend's child had lice, my friend spent 8 long hours going through her daughter's thick long hair in one sitting. Planning on using a comb on a regular basis sounds like you will just be managing them but not completely getting rid of them. While you are going through your daughter hair, start washing pillows, sheets, blankets etc.
just know that nothing kills the eggs. The only way to get rid of them is by picking them out!
The most important thing to get is the RIGHT comb. It's called the terminator. You can get it on amazon but since you need it now get it at Ulta. NO other comb works like this one, it's the only one that can get the nits out. Also, fill a WHITE (not clear, stainless steel) bowl half way with water. Use very very small sections to comb. Now this is vey important; When combing the hair, comb one very very small area in four different strokes, like a stop sign. Each and every time you run the comb thru her hair, you must dip the comb in the water. It will take at least a 1.5 hours to comb thru. Do this at least 3 times a day. You will get faster each time. Comb every day till theres no eggs.
As for the nits, yes there are products that weigh the lice down so they aren't as fast to move. The one time my girls had lice, I did the pesticide but wouldn't do it again do to how toxic they are....i was in panic mode before doing my research. The pesticides do penetrate thru the skull and have been known to cause neurological problems; too risky.
I don't know about Vamousse. There are actual companies that have "lice salons", you can call one of them and ask about vamousse.
Suave makes a shampoo/conditoner Rosemary mint, that would be an alternative to tea tree oil.
Bag all her items that could 'house' lice, put in a garbage bag in the garage for a week.
Hope this helps.
I think you are right about the OTC lice treatments, they don't work. My daughter (and I) had lice 2 years ago and I learned A LOT! I've never tried Vamousse and maybe it works, and maybe I'd try it, but I wouldn't get your hopes up!
I ended up going to one of those lice combing places. It was expensive but honestly, I felt it was so worth it. They get you live bug and nit free on the first visit and then you go back every week for 4 weeks. They comb you every time because there are sometimes nits or bugs that were too small to be combed the first time (but because they are babies they don't transfer so it's really okay and not contagious) .
If that's not an option for you, then shoot I'd try the other thing.
One really important thing I did learn though was about the tea tree and other oils. The thing about that is that it doesn't really keep lice from your hair (we were using it when my kid got lice anyway) but what it does is covers up the scent of the lice. When lice invade the person they leave behind a scent that only other lice can smell. So, you are more likely to get lice again because lice will sniff it out and want to come to that head. Soooo, those stinky oils like tea tree, or lavender or peppermint will mask the smell and block other lice from smelling it. So if she can tolerate peppermint I would get that and mix it with water in a little spray bottle and just spritz her head and clothes for a few weeks.
http://www.enkivillage.com/home-remedies-for-lice.html
things to try before buying a product.
Go to headlice.org and read through their information.
We haven't ever used any product and I get rid of head lice quit easily. I use normal shampoo, then condition, comb through the hair to de-tangle it then rinse the conditioner out, leave the hair dripping wet.
Then I use a magnifying headset and go through the hair rather quickly. Wet hair, room temp, it's too cool for the bugs and they can't move quickly. So they are very easy picking. I drop then into a cup holding plain water.
I use my nails to remove the nits that have a black center. The white ones are empty shells and are nothing to be concerned about.
I do this a couple of times that first week and usually by the first time or two there are no more to be found.
I only run the vacuum over the furniture and I wash the sheets on normal temp water. The dryer is what kills the bugs and eggs. I don't even use high heat either.
I vacuum the car seats and that's pretty much it. I do wash the coats or winter gear though. But as for bleach or crazy stuff or buying all those lice prevention products, they don't work and it's a money making racket.
You can prevent head lice too.
Get some Tea Tree Oil from the ethnic hair care isle, it's only a couple of dollars. Then get a small, 4 ounce to 8 ounce spraying water bottle. Put a few drops in the bottle and add some water.
Shake it up and spritz the kids hair each morning as they're getting ready for school. The water will help the hair look tidier and the oil will repel the bugs.
Head lice only like clean people and very clean hair. They can't grasp or crawl easily if the hair is dirty. And they can't get their eggs to stick to it either.
My DD got lice in 7th grade, and she has a lot of very long hair! It got passed around her friend group over and over again. A lot of diligent parents were not successful in getting rid if it themselves with any kind of home treatment. In our area, we have businesses that specialize in getting rid of lice for kids. I took my DD to a place called "The Lice Lady" It's like a hair salon for kids, only they completely get rid of lice, service guaranteed. She spent about 3-4 hours there, but she came out lice-free! As part of the process, they inspect the whole family and do follow up checks just to ensure everything is gone. Honestly this was worth every penny I spent.
I do not know of anyone who has tried it, personally. If I do not know anyone I usually read up on the ingredients and reviews . That should help..
I've heard just olive oil and combing can get rid of them- but that is tedious. Eucalyptus essential oil/lavender oil mixed with olive oil is another good treatment if she can't use Tea Tree..
Good luck!
