Propoline Lice Repelling Shampoo and Lotion
A more natural product? Not sure, but this company does use plant extracts and essential oils derived from Greek plants. Specifically, these products contain tea tree, eucalyptus and geranium essential oils, which are known for their anti parasitic properties. The shampoo is pleasant smelling and by using it once a week (leaving on the hair for about three minutes) we manage to keep away head lice. For a more complete treatment, the lotion can be sprayed onto the hair and left, although the smell is a bit stronger.
Price: €8.80 each
Lyclear Crème Rinse
A smaller bottle, this has the consistency of conditioner. Use on semi dry hair that has already been shampooed. After 10 minutes, wash it out and then comb through with a fine-toothed comb. Even though the bottle is small, there is enough for more than one application and should see off any infestation in one kid if used over a period of a few days. The cream leaves the hair easy to comb through and looking shiny afterwards with quite a pleasant smell.
Price: €5.60
Paranix
If you don’t like getting your hands dirty, this is ideal as it is a spray, which promises to be kind to children (although hopefully not the lice). Contains walnut oil and aniseed, which work by suffocating the adult lice. It also contains oil of Ylang Ylang to soothe heads that are sore from itching. If that doesn’t convince you, it worked on officials at universities in Miami, Paris and Jerusalem who have clinically approved this product. One bottle is enough to spray two to four people twice, the second time is recommended after nine to ten days.
Price: €17
TT Combi pack
All the way from the Thursday Plantation in Australia, this product claims to be free of harsh chemicals, with tea tree oil the active ingredient against head lice. The pack contains tea tree head lice gel and tea tree conditioner. The gel, which has that strong, characteristic clean smell of tea tree, is applied to dry hair and left on for 20 minutes. Wash off, use conditioner, rinse and comb through. Again, the conditioner will leave hair easier to comb and with a pleasant smell. Regular use of the conditioner should help to stave off further infections too.
Price: €11.84
Medisana Electrical Lice Comb
Kills lice electronically without chemicals! When switched on the comb emits a buzzing sound and when it stops during combing a louse has been trapped in the teeth. When a louse is detected a small electrical charge kills it. Insulation on the tips of the comb apparently protect the scalp from any possible tingling sensation. Manufacturers recommend using it for five minutes per day on dry hair, for two weeks after an infestation has been discovered. The unit also destroys eggs. Needs a single AA (1.5V) battery. Can be used with chemical anti-lice treatments.
Price: €37.59
Available from: selected pharmacies, tel: 96 748700 for stockists
Ducray Itax Lotion
Relatively new on the market, this lotion had a distinct and strong smell but as it is applied by spraying onto dry hair it is really easy to use (my daughter did complain about the smell though). The crux of the matter is did the lice die? After being left on the hair for an hour and then being washed out a comb through with a fine tooth comb revealed lots of dead lice. The secret though is to reapply within a week and again in a fortnight to kill off any hatched eggs. Well worth trying again, one bottle contains enough for two applications on long hair.
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Hedrin
This is one of the biggest selling brands in Cyprus. Oily to the touch, Hedrin must be left in the hair for at least eight hours or overnight. When applying have a tissue handy since it tends to run but it has no smell at all and when it dry’s the hair doesn’t even look greasy. The lice definitely die with this one and it also seems to be great at getting the eggs unlatched when used with a fine toothed com. Re-apply after seven days to avoid re-hatching of any eggs. At least four applications in a bottle so it goes a long way. May be messy to use but it’s a real winner for the kids.
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