Question:
Have you heard of the 'mayonnaise treatment'?
Answer:
Have you heard of the 'mayonnaise treatment'? It doesn't seem to involve
all the combing. In its original format you get a jar or 2 of commercial
mayonnaise, totally slather the hair with it, wrap in saran wrap or other
plastic, and leave it for a while (I think I remember about 45 minutes. Then
wash THOROUGHLY- you can imagine it would be several washes to remove the
glop and leave the hair not oily. Then repeat in a few days. The theory is
that the mayo plugs the spiracles and smothers the lice. The 2nd app for any
nits that have hatched. One would think if you did add the combing at some
point in the process, that the may might make it easier to slide the nits
off the hair shafts.
I tried modifying this recipe by making the mayo myself- used almond and
olive oils, lemon juice, an egg (as in the regular recipe)- but also added
some tea tree oil and- I can't remember what the other one was- naiouli,
ravensara, or eucalyptus- for no real good reason except that I like them as
similar to tea tree but frankly more pleasant. I probably had 1-2% final
concentration of the essential oils.
It did seem to work. I don't know- it wasn't a heavy infestation. Usually
I have only had to do one treatment. On the slathering part, I just gooed it
into my hair and sat at the computer til i couldn't stand it any more.
It may be that lice from Oz are more vigorous. I do remember one attack
we had when my son was in 4th or 5th grade was worse than any other I'd
experienced. I actually felt I was getting sick- fever, unendurable itching.
We treated at least twice with the commercial stuff. It's easier with boys
if their hair is short. After that experience they knew the signs and were
able to self-treat. My stepson even at that age didn't like me helping him
with his hair. Hard to believe they are 18 and 19 now.
