Research Report

Details of a usage trial in the UK published in the British Medical Journal.

Cynthia Olsen's article on tea tree and head lice.

Dr. Andrew Weil also recommends using tea tree oil for the eradication of head lice.
--editor's note: this link no longer works. March 2007.

The prestigious Harvard School of Public Health issues information on head lice.

The Sierra Club was founded in 1892 by the famous naturalist and writer John Muir. Their aim is to protect wildlife and the environment, which they do by researching alternatives and raising awareness through education. Click here to view their .pdf fact sheet on head lice.

Every summer is the same, a letter from your child's school saying 'parents beware' —  they have children with a head lice infestation. This is a sensible article on how to keep your child safe.

LINDANE

Click to see a comprehensive fact sheet on Lindane on EXTOXNET website maintained by Oregon State University.

The risk of neurological side-effects, including dizziness to seizures, and even death associated with lindane-based shampoos and lotions has finally alerted the FDA to issue labeling guidelines. They state that it can be used "with caution" on people over 110lbs, if other treatments have failed. The National Pediculosis Association (NPA), Public Citizens Health Research Group and Cancer Prevention Coalition have called for a US ban on lindane shampoos and lotions, but over a million lindane prescriptions were being written every year. Click here to see FDA's full report. It is interesting to note that there is an outright ban on lindane in eighteen other countries and a pharmaceutical ban in the State of California.

Now read for yourself why no-one should come into contact with lindane, least of all our precious children:

Long-term psychological and neurological complications of lindane poisoning, in healthy vegetarian female after three applications of "Kwell".

Researchers conclude that lindane cannot be entirely ruled out of being implicated in causing non-hodgkin's lymphoma. Even though lindane, in this instance, was used for agricultural purposes, the risk to our children is surely too great to use it on their heads.

This abstract on lindane toxicity in a 24 year old woman, clearly outlines the potential devastating neurological effects.

A death caused by "excessive" use of a 1% lindane shampoo.

There are also countless stories that are dismissed as anecdotal (not proven) by the medical profession. Here are just a few that we don't usually get to see:

A mother's own story after she followed the advice of "professionals".

A child has seizure disorder since using head lice treatment.

A child's life ruined by head lice treatment.

Another mother's desperation after using head lice shampoo.

Child shook for three days after using head lice shampoo.

ADHD becomes worse after using head lice shampoo that doesn't even work.

PS: Lindane also causes liver damage.

Twelve months after using a Malathion head lice treatment, a school governor from the UK, is still suffering from symptoms. She urges all parents to use non-chemical methods of head lice removal.

The FDA recommends: MALATHION lotion.

Click to see a comprehensive fact sheet on Malathion on EXTOXNET website maintained by Oregon State University. Please read the known toxicological effects carefully.

A summary of research that indicates that malathion at low levels is a dangerous chemical to humans, animals and the environment.

Birth defects/genetic changes, skin irritation, behavioral changes, visual disturbances, learning difficulties have been reported in animals and humans that have been exposed to malathion. This is a .pdf file with excerpts from Journal of Pesticide Reform/ Winter 1992/ VOL 12, NO. 4.

The FDA also recommends: PERMETHRIN AND PYRETHRUM, with piperonyl butoxide.

Pyrethrins are natural pediculicides derived from chrysanthemum flowers (Cinerariaefolium). Pyrethrum is a botanical extract used as a broad-spectrum insecticide. It is made from natural pyrethrins. Permethrin is a synthetic version of pyrethrin. "Pyrethroids" is generally a collective name for synthetic or semi synthetic pyrethrins. Although less toxic than lindane, there is increasing evidence that they are not entirely safe. A number of head lice shampoos now contain permethrin, which may cause skin, eye and respiratory irritation, tingling sensations, allergic reactions, asthma and blood damage. There are also possible asthmatic reactions, liver and nerve damage and suppression of immune system.

Click to see a comprehensive fact sheet on PERMETHRIN on EXTOXNET website maintained by Oregon State University. Pay particular attention to "Organ Toxicity".

Click to see a comprehensive fact sheet on PYRETHRINS and PYRETHROIDS on EXTOXNET website maintained by Oregon State University.

This evaluation of experimental data shows that pyrethroids, synthesized from chrysanthemums, and marketed as a less toxic alternative to organophosphates may not be as safe as they would have us believe.

And, according the the Harvard School of Public Health, they don't work anyway.

Dr Mercola advices that head lice are becoming resistant to permethrin products!

The synthetic chemical "piperonyl butoxide" (BPO) is added to natural pyrethrins to enhance their insecticidal properties. These formulations are generally known as synergized pyrethrins.

Piperonyl butoxide may only be an additive to enhance insecticidal action, but it has some very nasty side effects.

Poison - piperonyl butoxide with pyrethrins - a list of symptoms.

Synthetic pyrethroids with piperonyl butoxide may affect immune system and have potential to cause allergic reactions.