Coconut Oil and Head Lice

• Pyrethrums And Pyrethroids:Pyrethrum comes from the chrysanthemum flower. Though naturally derived, pyrethrins are still pesticides which have recently been banned from agricultural use in food production. The concern is that pyrethrins can cause pneumonia, muscle paralysis, death due to respiratory failure, vomiting, and asthma. (But it is still a major component in head lice treatments such as NixTM). Pyrethroids are synthetic chemical counterparts (as contained in RIDTM) that have similar side effects.
•  Permethrin:Permethrin is a broad-spectrum synthetic pyrethroid insecticide. As above, it also can cause vomiting, asthma and pneumonia, muscle paralysis and possible death due to respiratory failure.
•  Carbaryl:Carbaryl is a pesticide that is often found in head lice treatments, the formulations of which vary widely in toxicity to the nervous and respiratory systems resulting in nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and excessive salivation. Other symptoms at high doses include blurring of vision, affects coordination, causes excessive sweating, and possible convulsions.

1. To get rid of lice start by removing as many lice as you can by combing the hair. To do this, massage a little coconut oil into the scalp and hair.  Use just enough to barely coat the hair, not to make it very oily. 
2. Using a louse detection comb (which has finer teeth than an ordinary comb) pull the comb from the scalp to the ends of the hair.  Rinse off any lice in the comb and continue.  Comb through the hair at least twice. 
3. After combing shampoo the hair thoroughly using a toxin free shampoo taking care to massage thoroughly behind the ears and the back of the neck as this is where lice are most often found.  Dry the hair. 
4. Apply a liberal amount of coconut oil and massage it deep into the hair.  Keep the oil in the hair for as long as possible – at least 12 hours. Apply more oil as necessary to keep scalp moist.  If applying at night use a shower cap and/or cover your pillow with a thick towel to protect it. 
5. Comb through the hair again and remove any lice you find.  Most should be dead or gone by now. 
6. Repeat once or twice a week.

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