Head lice are not a health hazard, do not spread disease, and are not a sign of uncleanliness, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. In fact, lice are more attracted to clean hair. Slathering a child’s head with mayonnaise, covering it with a shower cap, and tucking them into bed for the night may sound bizarre (imagine the smell!) but some parents are turning to that, and other natural remedies for head lice infestations that are regular occurrences in schools and day care centers. Colleen R. Nigzus, school nurse for Harvard public schools, said parents in the district are trying various green or natural treatments these days, because they do not want to use standard methods, most of which contain harsh insecticides and may have health effects, especially with repeated use. “Parents are fearful of chemicals. They don’t want to put their children at risk,” she said. Besides the mayonnaise wrap, other natural methods include applying olive oil or petroleum jelly to the hair, and wrapping it for a few hours, or overnight. The theory is that those treatments smother live lice, although they don’t kill their eggs. For parents unwilling to turn their children’s heads into a sort of salade Nicoise, there are several natural lice treatment and repellent products available. Marieke Cormier, owner of Roots Natural Foods in Leominster, said she sells a lot of natural lice shampoo, especially at the beginning of each school year. Her store carries “Thursday Plantation” lice and egg removal products, most of which are made of Australian tea tree oil; a “Quit Nits” nontoxic kit, and hair gel made of salts and alcohol. Ms. Cormier said parents tell her the products do the trick. Mary C. Gallant, a nurse at the T.C. Passios Elementary School in Lunenburg, said hair products made by Fairy Tales, which contain rosemary, lavender, citronella, and an enzyme that the company claims can break down nits (lice eggs) are popular with parents. Some also resort to olive oil and Vaseline wraps, she said. “There are outbreaks every spring and every fall,” Ms. Gallant said. Ms. Nigzus said families have had luck with the natural treatments, but the School Department does not make treatment recommendations, other than advising parents to consult doctors. Infestation with head lice, officially called Pediculosis capitis, is common in the U.S. among children six to 12 years old. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, approximately 6 million to 12 million children have infestations each year. Head lice are not a health hazard, do not spread disease, and are not a sign of uncleanliness, according to the academy. In fact, lice are more attracted to clean hair, because they can attach easier to the shafts. The most common symptom is itching. They are most often diagnosed by seeing a live louse on the head, but that can be difficult since they crawl quickly. The tiny eggs, or nits, are easier to spot, especially behind the nape of the neck, behind ears, or within a centimeter of the scalp. Head lice are spread by direct contact with the head of an infected person, or, much less likely, by sharing combs, brushes or hats. Lice cannot hop or fly — they crawl. Dr. David M. Keller, a pediatrician and an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, said besides parents being wary of insecticide treatments, lice are becoming resistant to long-used over-the-counter medications such as permethrin, sold as Nix; Rid and Pronto; and lindane, a prescribed medication formerly sold as Kwell. Lindane is no longer recommended for lice treatment because possible side effects include seizures and neurological problems. “The lice are getting more and more resistant to these things, and if parents are using those hair products over and over, you wonder how effective that is,” he said. Parents, he said, may be forced to try old-fashioned home remedies if the usual methods don’t work. “Head lice — for parents today — is a challenging problem, although lice are not dangerous, health-wise. They are mostly an annoyance,” Dr. Keller said. Sometimes, he said, patients are prescribed sulfamethoxazole (an antibiotic, given orally) for lice. Heat lamps have also been tried. He acknowledged the use of mayonnaise and similar home remedies, but questioned if lice are actually smothered, or simply removed physically in the prolonged process of trying to get mayonnaise or Vaseline out of hair. “I imagine that whole process is pretty unpleasant,” he said. Articles Most Read Today