Pregnant and nursing women

If you’re pregnant or nursing and have head lice, choosing the right solution is even more important. The head lice will be irritating but won’t pose any real threat to you or your baby. What could harm you is the use of toxic head lice treatments that include pesticides such as pyrethrin or malathion, and even the use of some natural treatments that contain essential oils dangerous during pregnancy.

It’s always best to avoid these chemicals, especially when pregnant. These pesticides can be absorbed in the skin and cause allergic reactions. What’s worse is they could be absorbed and affect your baby, potentially doing long-term damage.

Consider an enzyme-based, non-toxic solution if you are pregnant and have head lice. Use this solution for your other children with head lice too, so you don’t expose yourself to chemicals when treating them.

Keep in mind that some essential oils in natural head lice products may be safe under normal circumstances, but are not best to use when pregnant. An enzyme-based shampoo like De-Licer is the safest choice for pregnant women, along with combing the hair, because it is derived from vegetable enzymes rather than herbs. Some natural treatments use peppermint oil or rosemary oil, which could cause miscarriage and have other side effects.

Even in cases when a treatment is not directly applied, such as bed sprays or powders, you should avoid chemical solutions or solutions containing essentials oils like peppermint. Any exposure has the potential to be harmful, and non-toxic products like De-Licer are safe for both personal use and use in the home (on everything from bedding to upholstery).