Who does not fear the well-known message of the school warning of the presence of lice in class, raise your hand. I certainly cannot do it.
And when it arrives, it's time to check the hair with the help of the nits (the comb combs specially designed to eliminate these bugs and their roe). And if any appears, lice treatment and the next day to school.
And I wonder. Can't we avoid contagion? Some natural remedies, such as tea tree oil They are highly recommended by other mothers who say they work against lice. But nevertheless, there is no proven evidence that they are effective in fighting them.
Natural does not mean safe
The louse is a small parasite, very common in childhood, which has nothing to do with hygiene, against popular belief.
The most common lice treatments may contain pesticides, so parents try to find more natural alternatives that are safe for the child. Among them, tea tree oil for lice stands out.
It is an essential oil distilled from the fresh leaves and branches of tea trees, particularly Melalenca alternifolia. The colorless or pale amber liquid that is obtained from this plant native to Australia also has a characteristic strong smell.
Proponents of this method ensure that it works because our characteristic human smell attracts lice, and that herbs allow hiding it and thus prevent it from attacking us.
And that oils, such as olive or tea, also destroy the lice protection exoskeleton and eliminate them.
The Spanish Association of Pediatrics does not comment on anything specific about its action against lice and only explains that “There are treatments in different plant-based regions, such as tea tree oil, coconut and various aromatic plants. Its efficacy and toxicity will depend on the preparations used. ”
In Babies and more, lice also return to school: 11 questions answered on how to avoid and fight themNo proven scientific evidence
Experts such as the pharmacy doctor, María García, known for her blog 'Boticaria García' does not give much credibility to this 'natural' treatment and explains in a video its zero effectiveness..
In fact, he explains that in the same oil label it is specified that it offers maximum hygiene to the hair, revitalizes it and gives shine, "but nowhere does it act against lice".
"There is no scientific evidence that it serves to prevent lice."And also adds: "If someone reads the instructions of this oil carefully, you can see that in its purest state it cannot touch the scalp, the 'hot' zone where lice are concentrated, and that cannot be used in children under three years old either. "
On the other hand, the American pediculosis organization (which is what lice infestation is called), The National Pediculosis Association (NPA) ensures that "Non-toxic remedies are a preferable option to pesticides, but this does not mean that everything that is promoted as 'natural' is safe."
In fact, they add that many of the parents who opt for alternative methods to end lice are because they have failed with pharmaceutical pediculicides. But "We suspect that if they achieve results with the natural method it may have to do with motivation and effort, rather than with an anti-lice property of the product."
It also ensures that it is impossible to obtain independent scientific data on the efficacy and safety of many of the different ideas that circulate about so-called 'natural' remedies. Y expressly opposes the use of tea tree oil that "It is promoted as safe and natural, while ensuring that it is fungicidal and bactericidal."
And is that the US organization, under the US Department of Health. It also ensures that in this case the 'natural' is misleading: If it kills organisms, then it must be treated with care.
Like the Apothecary Garcia, the NPA explains that Pure tree oil is contraindicated in infants, young children and pregnant women. Nor should it be used daily and, in high doses, it can be toxic to the liver, irritate the skin and cause an allergic reaction.
The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) also speaks about it. He explains that although there are some studies on the effectiveness of this oil, "They still don't have enough evidence to recommend its use". And he adds that, due to its terpene content, volatile compounds, its use is not proven safe in children.
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The NPA itself recommends the usual use of nits as the most effective method to fight lice. And he based his statement on a study published in the British Medical Journal that found that combing wet hair with a comb specially designed for lice was four times more effective in removing lice than malathion, permethrin or pyrethrin butoxide piperyl, Chemical components that incorporate many shampoos to eliminate lice. In addition, these bugs are becoming resistant to the excessive use of repellents.
The ideal comb should be made of metal, have long, finely spaced long teeth, and that the space between the handle and the teeth be sealed, so that live lice cannot hide inside.
It is useful to use tweezers or pins to divide wet hair into small sections, and work each area separately. You have to comb the hair, depositing the lice and eggs in a bowl with soap and water and cleaning the nits to make sure there is no unwanted bug.
I don't know what you'll think about it, but I'm sure that In the slightest doubt, it is better not to use this so-called 'natural' remedy, especially when there are effective treatments, of which we have already spoken.
As indicated by the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, "creams better than lotions and lotions better than shampoos" and recommends:
Treatments with 1% permethrin, an insecticide that is also used against mosquitoes and other insects and against mites. They work by neurotoxicity, attacking the nervous system of the parasite. In addition, it is compatible with breastfeeding according to e-breastfeeding.
4% dimethicone is an occlusive compound that blocks the holes through which the lice breathe and drown them. It is especially useful when permethrin is no longer effective. They are less aggressive products for the scalp.
And who is not yet convinced, should know that all experts say, as the OCU also recalls, that studies indicate that no chemical or natural repellent has proven effective in preventing lice. "There is nothing that prevents future contagions and only the frequent revision of the heads can fight them."
Photos | iStock
