The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that anywhere between 6 million and 12 million kids are infested each year in the U.S. with head lice.
No one likes the idea of head lice and the mention of head lice has us all scratching our heads. But don’t run to the nearest store to buy just any lice-killing shampoo or medication. Lice shampoos typically contain toxic ingredients and chemicals that may cause your child harm. Marketers of these lice killing products may describe these products as safe but one study into insecticidal shampoos concluded that they may increase the risk of childhood leukemia. These products can be toxic or carcinogenic to your child, and may even be losing their effectiveness – this is because lice appear to have gradually become resistant to some of the chemicals found in these head lice killing products.
It’s scary to think that toxic chemicals are being used on the sensitive heads of our youth. Children are more susceptible to the dangers of head lice pesticides because the scalp has many blood vessels that are close to the skin, making it easy for toxic substances to be absorbed directly into the blood stream. Excessive scratching of the scalp is usually one of the first signs of having head lice and this scratching results in breaking the skin allowing toxic chemicals to be absorbed. To make matters worse, children have a less mature immune system to protect them.
The Danger of Lindane
It can be confusing to know what to buy when your child comes home with head lice. The FDA still endorses using Lindane (in Kwell) which is now banned by the EPA to use agriculturally. So it’s no wonder, with the FDA’s endorsement, parents continue to buy Lindane (in Kwell). Parents need to be aware of the fact that Lindane is banned in 18 foreign countries and The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend its use. The National Pediculosis Association, Inc. says that, “Lindane is a nerve poison that also causes cancer so why are we prescribing it for our children?” Their database has over 500 adverse event reports related to the use of lindane which include seizures, behavioral changes, attention deficit disorders, cancer, skin disease and even death.
Other Common Ingredients And The Reactions Associated With Them
Pryrethrins and pyrethrums (found in Rid, Nix, Pronto, and possibly other lice treatments) are pesticides made from flowers. Products made from a member in this family of pesticides are likely to precipitate allergic reactions. In Designer Poisons, Marion Moses, MD suggests that these types of pesticides attack the brain and nervous system. Permethrin is a neurotoxin, a carcinogen (as stated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), and can cause tremors, increased aggressive behavior, learning difficulties, irritation of the skin and eyes, swelling and rashes, numbness, fluid in the lungs, and even infertility.
Malathion is an organophosphate insecticide and its use has produced side effects such as intestinal disorders, leukemia, kidney damage, birth defects, brain damage, weakening of the immune system, lung damage and many others. Just inhaling this chemical can result in severe reactions.
The ingredient, Acetone, can cause wheezing, congestion, headache, fatigue, hyperactivity, confusion, dizziness and eye, throat and nose irritation, liver, kidney and skin damage and birth defects. The EPA considers it a hazardous waste. Both Benzyl Alcohol and Isopropyl Alcohol can be flammable and cause allergies, intestinal damage and vomiting. They have also been found to irritate the nose, throat and lungs, dull the nervous system and can cause death in severe cases due to respiratory failure.
Piperonyl Butoxide, is an active ingredient in many of the pyrethrin pesticide family head lice products. Two recent reports in open literature show that it causes cancer and birth defects in rats. ANY PRODUCT which contains this ingredient, should never be recommended for use in children.
GO HEALTHY AND NON TOXIC
School Nurse Products currently sells 3 products: School Nurse Remedy for Lice uses biodegradable, natural, organic materials that destroys the protective exoskeleton which head lice need in order to survive. Because we are not using chemicals or pesticides in our product to get rid of head lice they can never build up a “resistance” to this product. This product also loosens the “glue” that keeps the nits cemented to the hair shaft so you can easily comb the nits out. We are selling School Nurse Lice Comb that has been lab tested to be 100% effective and there’s nothing better than 100% effective. We are also selling School Nurse Lice Repellent Spray repels lice due to the safe ingredients in the product. This product can be used after each shampoo and it doesn’t stop working until you wash it out. It can also be used to “wet-comb” out nits. Read more about this and more about our products on the website: www.schoolnurseproducts.com.
Don’t wait till your child comes home with head lice, buy our products now and be prepared to treat your family safely if and when you need to treat them for head lice. All products are currently being sold on our website: www.schoolnurseproducts.com.
Get prepared to send your kids back to school with a School Nurse Product’s prize pack! Enter to win the above pictured products by 8/14 via Rafflecopter below. (US Only, 18+) a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by School Nurse Products and compensation has been received to publish. See full disclosure policy in tab above.All giveaways are free of charge, no purchase necessary to win. Giveaways are not affiliated with or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. Peace Love Organic Mom is not responsible for any prize not fulfilled by the sponsor or damaged during shipping. See full disclosure policy in tab above.
35 Comments
I love that the products are natural and organic.
The bit about lindane, the chemical. I’m always on the watch for harmful chemicals. I have 4 little ones to keep safe!!
I’m most surprised that the chemicals in those products are so toxic. Children are so vulnerable to this stuff….it’s scary.
“Tge danger of Lindane” this paragraph blew my mind. I cannot believe our children are actually being perscribed a carcinogen.
I’m terrified of bugs, including lice. I cant even stand the thought of fleas. I was excited to learn that this product can help prevent lice :)
I learned that Piperonyl Butoxide is not recommended for use on children but is in many lice treatment products.
never knew there were so many toxins in this stuff! scary!!!
Piperonyl Butoxide, malathion? On my kid? No way!!!
That Lindane is banned in 18 other countries, but not ours?
We allow things in products that are banned in other countries???
I had no idea that those products were so toxic!!
I never knew how truly toxic this stuff was! Thanks so much for this just info!
natural products are the best!
I like that they are natural products.
That you can destroy lice with natural ingredients
That the products are non toxic.
I find the fact Lindane is banned in 18 foreign countries very interesting.
I find it interesting that the lice cannot build up a resistance to the product
As a ongoing melaleuca customer for many years I love that this is all natural as well!! We try to keep the chemicals out of our home. Thanks for the introduction to an awesome company!
I found the part about the dangers of Lindane most interesting. I always try to go with more natural ingredients when ever possible.
That most products made for lice treatment are toxic!
I learned symptoms I had no clue about regarding the more popular methods of getting rid of head lice. I haven’t used those chemicals in years because of the fear of them just being bad and I learned today they are bad!
wow I had no idea there was a lot of toxic products
One study into insecticidal shampoos concluded that they may increase the risk of childhood leukemia. That’s scary. I seriously I had no idea!
I find it real interesting that lindane is banned in so many countries and yet we use it in our products
I think the fact that all of the ingredients are natural is very interesting. I work with kids & I hate having to use the harsh chemicals on their hair. Using something natural would be amazing!
the lice never build up a resistance to this product.
I love that the products are natural and organic.
I never knew that Acetone could cause such horrible side effects! Thats something I learned..wow!
that these products are all natural and organic
I had no idea regular lice treatments contained acetone. That is alarming.
I find it strange that they still allow people to use lindane!
I had no idea that those products were so toxic!!
I really love the School Nurse Lice Comb that has been lab tested to be 100% effective! Cool product!
Thank You for the giveaway
I learned that Lindane is a nerve poison that also causes cancer and that the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend its use.