Back to School can some times mean “Back to Head Lice”. The schools always have a peak in head lice at the beginning of every school year. Each treatment can run between $12 to $17 and that’s just for one shampoo (not to mention the fact that the shampoo’s are horrible, make your kids smell like chemicals, and don’t always work).   You have to treat your child twice… once when you discover it and again 9 days later.   Plus don’t forget the spray for your furniture!  The costs can really add up! So, what is a FruGal {or FruGuy} to do?

Try this natural home remedy that works and is frugal…

Here’s how to get rid of those nasty bugs & itchy head:

Supplies:

• Vinegar
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Coconut Oil (see how to get it cheap through VitaCost)
• Tea Tree Oil (optional)
• lice comb
• spray bottle
• plastic bag or shower cap

Directions For Treating Your Child’s Head:

1. Douse your childs’ dry hair with vinegar (use apple or regular). If your child has open wounds, avoid getting vinegar on their scalp (it will sting… but the purpose of the vinegar is to kill the eggs).
2. Once the vinegar has dried, douse your child’s hair with coconut oil. (You will have to rub some in your hands to loosen the oil before applying, unless you are using a liquid form). Cover every part of the hair and scalp. Cover with a shower cap or plastic bag (tie it off on the front).  Leave on hair for 2 hours or as long as they will let you.
3. Use a “lice remover comb” to comb through the hair.   If you don’t have a comb and don’t have time to order one, then use tweezers. Start at the top of the scalp & work your way down.   Keep a towel handy, you’ll need it  to wipe off the comb often.
4. Shampoo hair as normal, you have to put a little more shampoo in their hair to get the oil out (or wash it a few times).

Treating  Linens Exposed to Lice:

Bag all the bedding, dirty laundry, stuffed animals, and washable items that your child has come in contact with in the last 48 hours.  Wash everything it hot water.  Things that can not be washed (like pillows and stuffed animals) leave in a tightly closed garbage bag for 1 week then put in dryer on hot for 50 minutes.

Treating Furniture Exposed to Lice:

Fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol. Spray couches, mattresses, and even the seats in your car! This kills any live lice. Also spray down bed frames, bathrooms, and vacuum all the carpets.

Tips for Preventing Head Lice:

Here are some ideas to help prevent head lice as well as prevent a recurring episode of head lice.

• Add a little tea tree oil to their shampoo.
• Put tea tree oil on your finger tip and wipe along the bottom of your child’s hairline.
• Put tea tree oil in a spray bottle and lightly mist your child’s hair before they leave for school.
• Tell your child to keep jackets and coats inside of their backpacks rather than hang them on the hooks.
• Make sure jackets, coats, and hats, don’t end up on the classroom floor or outside on the playground.
• Don’t share hats or headbands, bows, hair accessories.
• If your child’s classroom has a bring your pillow (or stuffed animals) to school day, consider having your child not participate.  They may be disappointed, but it’s better than going through all the embarrassment if they get head lice.

Getting rid of lice is a LOT of work, but it’s worth doing it right the first time. It’s always recommended to follow up with a second treatment 9 days later. The eggs can hatch during that time & one lice can lay up to 300 eggs in 6 days. So make sure you deal with it fully so you can get on with your life, bug free.

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