How to Deal With Head Lice in Dreadlocks

Head lice is an unpleasant problem in any kind of hair, but to have head lice with dreadlocks takes the misery to a whole new level. The chemical treatments simply are not as effective. Furthermore, the dreadlocks soak up and retain the poisonous chemicals, making the use of those harsh substances more dangerous. Fortunately, for those with dreadlocks, there is a better way to deal with the problem of head lice. It will require a significant investment of time, but that is a small price to pay to avoid having to shave your head and lose your dreads.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Petroleum jelly
• Dish detergent
• Vinegar
• Plastic wrap

1. Lay in a good supply of the items you'll need to complete the lice killing and removal process. For a person with shoulder length dreadlocks, three pounds of petroleum jelly, one gallon of vinegar, a large bottle of dish detergent and a large roll of plastic wrap should do the trick. Those with longer or shorter dreads can adjust the amount to their specific needs. It is very important not to skimp on either the petroleum jelly or the vinegar. It's better to have too much than too little.
2. Apply a liberal amount of petroleum jelly to dreads and scalp. Make sure each dread, each hair and every bit of scalp is covered with a thick coating of the petroleum jelly. For mid-length dreads, about eight ounces will provide the right degree of coverage. This does a few things. First, it coats the live bugs, slowing them down dramatically and making it easy to catch and remove them. Those that are not caught and killed by hand will suffocate. Second, it coats the eggs and prevents those from getting oxygen as well, which should prevent the vast majority from hatching.
3. After coating hair and scalp well and removing any visible lice, wrap hair and scalp in plastic wrap to prevent the petroleum jelly from staining clothing, furniture, and other items. Under ideal circumstances, the petroleum jelly should be left on for 24 hours. If that is not possible due to a work or school schedule, try to get at least 12 hours in.
4. Remove plastic from head and use dish detergent to wash petroleum jelly out of hair. Regular shampoo will not work. It will require three to five applications of dish detergent to remove petroleum jelly.
5. After washing out the petroleum jelly, soak dreads and scalp with vinegar. The vinegar helps to break down the lice eggs and the substances that allow the eggs to stick to the hair shafts. Wrap hair in plastic wrap again. Leave vinegar in hair for at least 12 hours.
6. Wash vinegar out of hair and carefully look for lice eggs, removing any that can be seen. Let hair rest for the remainder of the day.
7. Repeat the process--one day of petroleum jelly, one day of vinegar and one day of rest. That will bring you through the first week. At this point, all lice should be dead. However, if you missed a couple of the tiny eggs, seven to 10 days after the sighting of the initial lice, the eggs could hatch, starting your troubles all over again. Therefore, you will have to repeat this cycle two or three more times so that you disrupt the life cycle of the lice and ensure that they are indeed dead and gone.

Tips & Warnings

• While doing what needs to be done to your dreads, you should also wash any clothing and bedding that your dreads come into contact with in hot water and dry on high heat. Things that cannot be washed in a washing machine, such as couch cushions, should be sealed in an airtight package--such as heavy duty garbage bags--for a minimum of two weeks. The super sized garbage bags that construction crews and contractors use can seal up a mattress.
• Washing pounds of petroleum jelly down the drain can have a negative impact on the efficiency of household plumbing. Make sure to let hot water run a bit after you've finished rinsing hair and keep some drain cleaner on hand in case there is a slowdown or a clog.