I have been asked by several parents recently for help with clearing and preventing vermin infestations, in particular Head Lice. It seems to be a problem that some children are prone to and many associate it with going back to school. Since kids are in close contact with other kids – it can spread like wildfire. Over the counter treatments are very toxic and using them can be a bit like playing Russian Roulette if you are not informed about the possible side effects and how vulnerable your child may be to them.
The main ingredients in these medications are synthetic pesticides like Permethrin or Malathion which is flammable! Side effects include burning, itching, stinging, redness, swelling and more worryingly numbness of the scalp. But they are also associated with breathing problems, dizziness, serious allergic reactions and in some cases seizures and even death! Given that our scalps are literally centimetres from our brains, is it really a good idea to be applying anything with these kind of toxic possibilities, especially on young developing children?
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