I was appalled by some of the advice given on dealing with head lice (Health News, 3 October). I can't believe that responsible health authorities would actually recommend a 'mosaic' method of using three different chemicals in succession on a young child's head. Don't they know that some of these head lice remedies contain organophosphates such as those used in sheep dip and which are being implicated in the illnesses included in Gulf War Syndrome? Just using one chemical remedy is risky enough, but three?
I was appalled by some of the advice given on dealing with head lice (Health News, 3 October).
I can't believe that responsible health authorities would actually recommend a 'mosaic' method of using three different chemicals in succession on a young child's head. Don't they know that some of these head lice remedies contain organophosphates such as those used in sheep dip and which are being implicated in the illnesses included in Gulf War Syndrome? Just using one chemical remedy is risky enough, but three?
I have heard that even some of the 'natural' remedies using essential oils can pose a health risk if they are not administered correctly. Surely it is better to just live with a few lice than subject our children to these powerful potions. This is one case where the cure could be worse than the problem.
Grace Goodman. London
