Head Lice Solutions

Hand sanitizers apparently share its active ingredient with the leading prescription medication for the treatment of lice.

According to what I'm finding on the internet, the prescription stuff (of which there is no generic) runs anywhere from $45-75 for a small bottle that barely does one head of short, thin hair. Thicker hair requires more to saturate the hair like needs to be done, and long hair can easily take three or more depending on length.

Instant hand sanitizers cost anywhere from $1-10 depending upon amount and brand. There is a plethora of brands and kinds. It also requires no prescription to obtain. It saturates easily (at least the liquid stuff does). You can also get it with moisturizers that will help alleviate dryness from all the previous stuff you have poured on your child's (or yours!) to try and get rid of the little buggering bugs.

The chemical works by the fact that it is an aromatic alcohol and this smothers the live lice. The alcohol penetrates the shell of the nits and damages the creature inside, which most likely results in the death of it (but not always). So there's a chance of this solving the entire problem.

The nurse also mentioned using Listerine to treat for a similar reason.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzalkonium_chloride

http://www.tristateneighbor.com/entertainment/country_living/your_health/your-health-listerine-kills-lice-hand-sanitizers-washing-compared/article_20738e63-48e1-5ab3-b723-41901bf03ad1.html