Many families are growing more and more concerned with the chemical make-up of the products they use in their homes. And rightly so; the alarming increase in chemical sensitivities, allergies and asthma does point out the risks of exposing your family to chemical "soups." We've analyzed three popular head lice treatment products, found at most local Walgreens or other drug stores, to see what they contain.
If you're concerned about your family's chemical exposure, you might want to be aware of what's in the head lice products you pick from the store shelves.
Nix (Permethrin) Lice Treatment
The active ingredient in Nix is Permethrin, which, according to the National Institutes of Health's website, may cause skin irritation, rash, redness and swelling. It is dangerous to get into the eyes, nose or mouth, and may cause an asthma attack in sensitive individuals. It functions as a neurotoxin, and is highly toxic to cats and fish as well as insects.
It claims to kill lice and their eggs (nits) in one application, so any potential exposure is short-term in theory. Still, the list of chemical components is enough to raise concerns, especially if you or your child is chemically sensitive.
RID Lice Killing Shampoo
The active ingredients in RID are piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrum extract. RID is an old-school industry standard in head lice treatment, and it's been around for years. So have the reports (including one published in 1998) that link the active ingredients in this product to severe respiratory distress in humans. If anyone in your home has asthma, allergies or other respiratory problems, be very cautious before using this product; a phone call to your doctor is advisable.
The product instructions call for two treatments, one immediately and a second treatment 7 - 10 days after the first.
Jolis Cheveux Lice Treatment Products
One head lice product on the shelf is non-toxic, with essential oils as the active ingredients. The pleasantly "readable" list of ingredients is in stark contrast to the chemical soup found in the other two products.
Developed by a board-certified pediatrician, this product line appears to be a safer, natural alternative to the common pesticides on the market. Still, it should be noted that it is not recommended for use on children under the age of five; call your pediatrician for advice if you are unsure.
Author Resource:-
Liz Solovay writes about lice prevention and lice removal for the Lice Treatment Center. She promotes Jolis Cheveux, a line of 100% natural head lice treatment products. Find out more by visiting the Lice Treatment Center.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.massagebyben.com/articles/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites 