Do you watch Arthur? Have you seen the one where the kids get head lice?
Well, about 3 years ago we watched that episode. A couple days after we went to Kohl’s, Emily scratched her head, and shouted out, I think I have lice. I promptly told her she did not it was all in her head from watching Arthur.
I can’t remember if it was that night, or the next night but we were visiting with my parents and Emily was still scratching her head. I told her to stop and to quit thinking about that episode. Finally, I looked and [i wanted to prove to her that she did not have head lice] I was wrong! Y’all I thought I was gonna die right then and there.
We left the lake. Stopped by Wal-Mart, picked up a couple boxes of the lice killing stuff, went home and I cried. I think I went through every emotion known to man in a short period of time. I was scared [what if i couldn’t get them all] I was completely and utterly grossed out. Seriously. The thought of bugs crawling around in my kids hair freaked me out. Big time. Then I got mad. I was determined to find out who they got head lice from and let them have it.
We started the whole ordeal of trying to get rid of the lice. It was torturous. I wanted to go through every strand of hair on their heads {at the time their hair was very long} but with 3 girls and myself needing treatment I did as the box said and did a section at a time.
The next day, I had to do the most horrid thing and call everyone that the girls had been around. One being my sister and her newborn baby. Yes, again, I freaked out. And cried some more.
I thought they would be gone the next day. They were not. I searched and searched the internet for how to kill lice. I read the most awful things about the stuff you buy in the store and swore I would not put that back on their little heads again. Finally, we found something that worked. And that is the main reason for this post. In case you ever need to know.
All you need is 2 ingredients, a small comb and a whole lotta patience.
Mayonnaise & vinegar quickly became my best friends.
Completely cover hair with mayo. Wrap head in plastic wrap [to keep from getting in eyes] let it sit for 3 or 4 hours. And yes, it will stink and you will forever more think of lice when you smell mayo.
Rinse hair to get as much of the mayo out as you can. Then pour vinegar on hair and let sit for a couple of minutes. With your fine tooth comb in hand, sit in front of the t.v. for hours as you go through each strand of hair.
The mayo kills the live lice. The vinegar makes it easier to get the eggs out. Ick!
I think you only need to do this twice to make sure you get them all. But me being who I am, did it like 3 or 4 times.
We were lice free. At least for about 5 months. Yes, we got it again. Yes, I cried. And yes, we got rid of the nasty little creatures using this method again. Also, be sure to clean sheets, pillows and blankets. And, you can pack up stuffed animals for 24 hours in a trash bag. Lice will die within 24 hours if not roaming around in your hair. So, we just shut off the girls room for 24 hours instead of going through every single thing.
I am now scratching my head. I hate lice.
I am me plain & simple
Oh. my. word. Bless your heart! I can’t imagine. {Thanks for the all-natural tips. I don’t think I would ever be able to eat mayo again either. Ha!} Now I feel itchy… Ewe.
H-Mama @ Family Team´s last blog ..Project 365 – Week 32
bless your heart! my favorite southern saying! oh, and y’all of course.
I can’t remember what i was fixing the other day, but it needed mayo, Audrey said it reminded her of having to wear it on her head!
Whew!! I just totally thought by the title of this, the girls where having this issue right now… my stomach turned, and my head started to itch! SOOOOOO glad this is NOT happening to you! Never knew mayo & vinegar would do the trick! My head is still itching!! Why is that?? Mind Tricks I suppose!
No, thankfully, we do not have it again. And I hope we never do.
oh what a story!!! ugh!!! I am amazed though about how many remedies involve vinegar!!!
Hey there, new follower here. I am hoping that you never get back that awful thing again. When I was a child, my family all got lice…and get this, we never really got rid of it completely until about two years after. We always got rid of it and then the stupid thing came back. It was torture, I remember my parents cutting my hair really short because they were so fed up. I cried for days (I hated short hair). When I finally got rid of it, I was so happy. Good luck and I hope you are finally done with the nasty thing.
Stop by anytime you have a moment. Thanks.
Marie The Things We Find Inside
My head is totally itching…lol. Hopefully you will not have to deal with that again.
Wow, Michelle! You poor mama, you.
I totally appreciate this tip, though. Always looking for natural remedies for my family. I just pray I never have to use this one!!!
Lori @ The Davidson Den´s last blog ..Project 365- Week 32
I’m itching just reading this post! I was BLESSED that my kids never got lice in school (now watch, Kelsey will come home with them from high school LOL). Thanks for the tips, though – I’d never heard of using mayo & vinegar. Did the girls smell like devilled eggs when you got done?
The arthur episode and just trying to prove your girl wrong rings true with me. I have tried to prove my son wrong only to be the one wrong. I completely get that!
Thanks for the natural remedies, we haven’t had it yet and I shudder at the thought. Completely makes my head itch, yuck.
I’ve used prescribed lice treatments and they are very harsh. Natural remedies are a lot easier to handle. Thank you for the information.