How to use kerosene for lice and nits - instructions, reviews and prices

In accordance with the work program of the Research Institute of Disinfectology of Rospotrebnadzor and the All-Russian Scientific and Methodological Center for Nonspecific Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Monitoring of the Resistance of Biological Agents to Disinfectants, which operates on its basis, work has been completed to study the sensitivity to insecticides of body lice and head lice.

It has been established that high resistance of lice to pyrethroids has developed on the territory of the Russian Federation - lice resistant to permethrin make up more than 95% of micropopulations collected in the country. None of the permethrin-based pediculicidal agents provides 100% acute action; there is no ovicidal effect.

A study of the sensitivity to insecticides of body and head lice from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Tambov, Kursk, Kazan, Novosibirsk, Khabarovsk, Khanta-Mansiysk and other cities by specialists from the Federal Budgetary Institution Research Institute of Disfectology of Rospotrebnadzor was carried out for 9 years.

The molecular genetic method has shown that lice with mutations that determine a decrease in the sensitivity of the nervous system to the action of pyrethroids are widespread in all local populations of head and body lice in all federal districts of Russia.

Currently, in the Register of State Registration Certificates (unified form of the Customs Union, Russian part), the share of pyrethroid-based products is about 40%.

At the same time, products based on substances with a different mechanism of action than pyrethroids remain effective: benzyl benzoate, organophosphorus compounds (malathion, fenthion), dimethicones, isopropyl myristate, clearol, substances of plant origin (anise, clove oils, neem oil, and some others) (Appendix 1 and 2).

In order to limit and completely eliminate the use of pediculicides based on pyrethroids for the treatment of head, body, and pubic lice, I ask you to use this information when monitoring the circulation of pediculicides, and also when working with the population and the media. Lists of approved pediculicides are presented in Appendices 1-5.

Annex 1

Causes of lice

The main reason for lice infection is close contact with other people. These insects cannot fly, but they move quickly in search of a new habitat. For this reason, children who come into close contact with each other during games and activities are at risk.

There is a certain risk of becoming infected with lice on public transport, in crowded places. Infection can occur when using other people's things: hats, combs, hair clips. To avoid infection, you should not lie down on a pillow after other people without changing your pillowcase and bed linen.

Does kerosene help in the fight against lice?

Since kerosene is very toxic, it actually kills parasites. But at the same time, it can penetrate into scratches on the scalp and have a negative effect on the human body. Moreover, this method is very dangerous due to the fact that kerosene is highly flammable. In world practice, since 1989, at least nine cases of burns of children during kerosene treatment have been recorded. These tragedies apparently occurred because, contrary to popular belief, it is the kerosene vapor that is flammable, not the liquid itself. Kerosene vapor can ignite due to the presence of even the smallest spark. All it takes is a stray spark from a lighter or electrical appliance.

Considering that nits are very reliably protected by a thick shell, treatment with kerosene is not always effective - most eggs are not destroyed. Nits breathe less intensely than adult parasites, so the poison does not affect them as strongly. This means that the treatment procedure will need to be repeated until the last lice hatches from the nits. This significantly increases the risk of poisoning the body with toxins, especially when it comes to treating lice in children. Being a powerful toxin, kerosene greatly irritates the scalp, so cases of dermatitis are common after such treatment.

Cooking recipe: how to properly dilute kerosene

If you do not have the slightest opportunity not to use this rather dangerous method of treatment, it will be useful to know how to use kerosene for lice and nits. To reduce the harmful effects on the skin, kerosene is mixed with any vegetable oil in a ratio of 1:10

There is another popular recipe. It is used to remove lice from both adults and children. To achieve an antiparasitic effect, you need to mix all the components correctly. Take one tablespoon of kerosene, add the same amount of shampoo and mix thoroughly. Then add two tablespoons of olive or sunflower oil. The anti-lice composition is ready for use.

Features of the funds

Means in this category have a general purpose, but differ in contraindications. There are shampoos that cannot be used by pregnant women, as well as children of a certain age - under 3, 5 or 12 years old.

There are some medications approved for one-year-old babies. This difference is due to the composition of the products, and most importantly, the main active ingredient. According to this criterion, shampoos are distinguished that contain:

1. Permethrin . A viscous chemical component that paralyzes the nervous system of blood-sucking parasites. The insecticide fights against different types of insects, so it is also found in flea and tick products for animals (it is used with caution for cats). The substance is obtained from chrysanthemum extract, so it is important for people with allergies to these flowers to obtain a doctor's permission to use products with permethrin.
2. Phenothrin . It is a methyl ester, which also affects the nerve cells of lice and nits, producing a toxic effect.
3. Essential oils . They do not destroy adults and their larvae in a physical sense, but they repel insects with a pungent odor, and also, due to their oily consistency, make it easier to comb out pests. Additionally, esters have a beneficial effect on the condition of strands and skin, healing small wounds. These lice shampoos are in most cases suitable for children and pregnant women. Contraindications include individual intolerance to oils or allergies to them.
4. Dimethicone . Liquid silicone penetrates the respiratory system of insects and cuts off their oxygen.
5. Clearol . This is a mineral oil that envelops bloodsuckers with an airtight film and thereby provokes their death.
6. Natural ingredients . This category includes tar shampoos from different manufacturers. Natural tar contains phenols, esters, and organic acids. They are unable to kill insects, but cause discomfort to parasites and temporarily immobilize them.
7. Combination of substances . Such means are considered the most effective. Combination options: permethrin + malathion (insecticide), permethrin + piperonyl, etc.

There are also other components in the preparations. For example, panthenol or herbal ingredients. Some companies add flavorings to the composition.

Attention! The shampoo kills lice, but the dead parasites still need to be combed out of the hair. Regular or special combs with fine teeth will help with this. They often come complete with an anti-pediculosis agent.

How to treat your head and how long to hold it?

Apply the composition to your hair and lather lightly, then cover your head with a plastic bag. How long do you keep the composition on your hair? For an adult – at least an hour; for a child, 15 minutes is enough. After the specified time, the hair must be rinsed with warm water and shampoo. After this, you need to take a fine-tooth comb and comb out the nits from wet hair. The comb can be dipped in vinegar to make it easier to separate the nits from the hair. The treatment procedure must be carried out every three days until the parasites completely disappear.

Medifox

The product is presented in the form of a concentrated emulsion, which must be diluted with water before use. The main active ingredient of Medifox is permethrin. Effective against all types of lice.

Mode of application:

1. Dilute 8 ml of product with 100 ml of boiled water.
2. Apply the resulting solution to the hair roots and rub in thoroughly.
3. After treatment, cover your head with a scarf and hold for 40 minutes.
4. Then rinse off the product with running water and regular shampoo.
5. Comb your hair with a fine comb to remove dead parasites. If necessary, repeat the procedure after a week.

A 24 ml bottle of Medifox costs about 150 rubles. Shampoos Veda and Hygia have a similar composition.

Precautions when using kerosene for lice

If you decide to use kerosene to remove lice, you should take into account the existing risks. Despite the popularity of kerosene as a traditional medicine, it poses a health hazard. Inhaling its vapors causes dizziness, nausea, and increased excitability. Exposure to the skin causes redness, and in large quantities even a burn.

In order to avoid consequences, you must:

• • use kerosene in combination with vegetable oils or shampoo;
• • protect your eyes when rinsing
• • eliminate the risk of inhaling product vapors;
• • apply the product using cotton swabs;
• • do not use kerosene to remove lice from children;
• • if a strong burning sensation occurs, wash off the product immediately.

Precautionary measures

Since the direct purpose of kerosene is far from its use for medical purposes, you should be especially careful when handling the substance. First of all, it is imperative to prepare mixtures with kerosene and treat a patient infected with head lice while wearing gloves, while being at a safe distance from sources of fire. You should also remember that:

• before applying kerosene or an emulsion based on it, apply a little product to the elbow and leave for half an hour to an hour for a sensitivity test - any changes in the skin are a contraindication to the use of the drug;

  
  It is dangerous to use kerosene without a preliminary sensitivity test.

• Kerosene makes hair weak, burns it until it becomes discolored, so if the curls are dyed, such aggressive treatment will lead to hair loss and brittleness;
• Kerosene causes burns on the mucous membranes, so if the substance does get into the mouth, nose or eyes, these areas should be rinsed with plenty of clean water.

Contraindications to the use of kerosene

Kerosene is not recommended for use if there are various injuries on the skin - wounds, scratches, burns. This will only worsen the condition of the skin. The product is contraindicated for use by children, as well as on excessively dry and sensitive skin.

Another contraindication is the risk of developing allergic reactions. Testing is required before use. A small amount of kerosene is applied to the bend of the elbow and wait a few minutes. If redness and itching appear, you should not use kerosene.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of shampoos:

• effective;
• act more gently in comparison with other means against lice;
• easy to use;
• suitable for long hair;
• presented in a wide range;
• sold without a prescription;
• Pediculosis is treated in an average of 1–3 procedures.

The disadvantages of such products include:

• possible toxicity - depends on the specific drug;
• presence of contraindications and restrictions;
• risk of side effects, allergic reactions;
• the need to comb out dead parasites manually (this should be done after using any medicinal product against lice);
• Observe precautions when washing your hair.

Other folk remedies for lice

Before you remove lice with kerosene, it would be a good idea to learn about other, less dangerous methods that can be used at home. Despite the fact that in most cases the effectiveness of folk remedies has not been scientifically proven, recipes are still passed down from generation to generation. The most popular of them are:

• • Apple vinegar. This remedy is mainly used to combat nits. The acid in vinegar breaks down the glue that lice use to attach nits to hair. Apple cider vinegar is mixed with water and applied to the hair, after which it is combed out with a fine comb. To enhance the effect, you can cover your head with a plastic bag for 10 minutes.
• • Mayonnaise. The essence of this method is to deprive the lice of the ability to breathe. To achieve the effect, mayonnaise must cover the entire scalp and hair along the entire length. You need to keep it for at least several hours, and preferably throughout the day. Then the hair is washed with shampoo and the lice are combed out with a comb.
• • Vinegar with mayonnaise and tea oil. When you mix regular oil with vinegar, it quickly decomposes, so there are folk recipes in which the oil is replaced with mayonnaise. The antiparasitic effect of this mixture is enhanced by tea oil. Mayonnaise is mixed with vinegar in the following ratio: two tablespoons of mayonnaise to one tablespoon of vinegar. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to the finished mixture.
• • Essential oils. Lavender, coconut, anise, jasmine, eucalyptus and tea tree oils have insecticidal activity. In addition, lice cannot tolerate their smell. To get rid of parasites, mix a few drops of essential oil with a tablespoon of olive oil. The resulting mixture is rubbed into the hair and scalp and left for 30-40 minutes. To increase the healing effect, you can add essential oil to shampoo every time you wash your hair.
• • Garlic. The head of garlic should be thoroughly chopped and then mixed with half a liter of hot water (but not boiling water). The composition must sit for at least 8 hours. After this time, the liquid is filtered and poured into a spray bottle. The infusion is sprayed onto the hair along the entire length, after which the head is covered with polyethylene. The mixture must be kept for at least 6-8 hours.

Pedilin

Anti-lice shampoo with active ingredients tetramethrin and malathion. The drug belongs to organophosphorus insecticides. The effect of the shampoo is to poison parasites, including nits.

Pedilin is applied to damp hair and rubbed in, then after 3 minutes you need to rinse it off. Afterwards, apply shampoo again and begin to comb out the parasites. Due to double application, the concentration of toxic substances in the body of parasites increases, which contributes to their death. After thorough combing, the hair is washed with regular detergent. After a week, the procedure should be repeated.

Pedilin against lice

Contraindications:

• Do not use in children under 2 years of age;
• Do not use for persons sensitive to the components of the shampoo;
• prolonged exposure to Pedilin on the skin can lead to toxic poisoning, which is manifested by tachycardia, vomiting, lacrimation, convulsions, weakness, etc.

The disadvantages include the strong odor of the drug. The cost of Pedilin is 250-300 rubles.

Review

A child has lice. I didn’t have time to read reviews about shampoos, so I took the first one I came across – Pedilin. I applied everything according to the instructions. The child ached from the smell, but still endured it. We didn't have any side effects. After the first procedure, the nits still remained. After repeated use a week later, I was able to completely get rid of lice. I was pleased with the product.

Elena, Magnitogorsk

How to quickly get rid of lice and nits using Paranit?

Home remedies for lice are certainly attractive because the ingredients for the treatment are available in almost every home. However, they have a significant drawback - low efficiency, and in the case of kerosene, also high toxicity. And lice is such an unpleasant problem that you want to quickly forget about once and for all, so it is better to use a proven and effective remedy.

Anti-pediculosis products "Paranit" have a double effect, quickly and effectively getting rid of lice and nits. They are very easy to use as they are insecticide-free and formulated with mineral oil and dimethicone. “Paranit” products can be used to treat children from 1 year of age, pregnant and lactating women.

Many people who experience head lice are surprised to realize that most remedies do not work on them. The reason for this lies in the fact that parasites quickly develop resistance (resistance) to many insecticidal agents. “Paranitis” does not have a neurotoxic, but a physical effect on insects. It blocks the breathing of lice and nits, and also leads to their dehydration. As a result, the parasites die in just 10-20 minutes. The product can be freely used several times if necessary - lice do not become resistant to it.

By using Paranit, you can be sure that this remedy will quickly and safely rid you or your child of unpleasant “tenants”.

CONTENTS OF THE PACK FOR ANTI-PEDICULOSIS MEASURES

1. An oilcloth or cotton bag for collecting the patient's belongings.
2. Galvanized bucket or tray for burning or disinfecting hair.
3. Oilcloth drape.
4. Rubber gloves.
5. Scissors.
6. A fine comb (preferably metal).
7. Hair clipper.
8. Alcohol lamp.
9. Headscarves (2-3 pieces).
10. Cotton wool.
11. Table vinegar or 5-10% acetic acid.
12. Magnifier
13. Means for the destruction of head and pubic lice that have a 100% ovicidal effect (ovicides) with a single treatment (“Medilis-bio”, “Foxilon lotion”, “Para-PLUS”, emulsion concentrates based on fenthion (“Sulfox”, “Medilis- super”, etc.).
14. Products that have an incomplete ovicidal effect, which require double treatment with an interval of 7-10 days (Foxilon-spray, Paranit lotion, Paranit spray, Nyuda, etc.).
15. Products for the destruction of body lice (emulsion concentrates based on fenthion - “Sulfox”, “Medilis-super”, “Clinch”, “Foresight-anti-louse”, “Dobrokhim FOS”, malathion “Dobrokhim M”, “Medilis - Malathion”).
16. Means for disinfestation of premises (con, “Medilis-super”, “Clinch”, “Foresight-anti-louse”, “Dobrokhim FOS”, “Medilis-permifen”, etc.).

Appendix 4

Lice prevention

There are no specific measures to prevent head lice. The following measures will help reduce the risk of infection:

• • maintaining a safe distance when communicating, teaching children this rule;
• • compliance with personal hygiene rules, regular hair washing;
• • examination of the scalp of a child attending kindergarten or school;
• • regular change and washing of underwear and bed linen;
• • girls with long hair are recommended to braid their hair or put it in a ponytail;
• • Applying 2-3 drops of tea tree oil behind the ears before going out into a public place helps repel insects.

If lice have been identified in one family member, it is advisable to treat the heads of all other household members to prevent re-infection.

Prevention of lice infestation in children's institutions involves regular examination of children by a medical professional. Inspection is required after summer holidays and long holidays. If lice are detected, the child is isolated and not allowed into the kindergarten or school until the parasites are completely eliminated.