Losing fight against lice? Don't use kerosene!

Q. My kids and I have a major problem with lice. We have spent lots of time and money fighting them, but it doesn't seem to be doing any good.

Nix and Rid (at $10 an ounce) are supposed to kill lice, but the lice are still alive after using these products. Then we wait another week or 10 days to spend another $70 to $90 to do it all over again. Two of my daughters have long, thick hair that requires two bottles each.

A friend has recommended kerosene, but that freaks me out. Isn't there a more natural way to free us from nit-picking?

A. Do not use kerosene to kill lice. It is toxic and a fire hazard.

Lice have developed resistance to many of the common treatments used against them. The Food and Drug Administration has just approved a new prescription lice medication. It will take multiple bottles to treat your daughters' long, thick hair.

The new treatment, Ulesfia, contains benzyl alcohol as the active ingredient. This compound interferes with the critters' respiration, so lice are unlikely to develop resistance.

Many parents tell us that Listerine works against lice. It contains ethyl alcohol along with a number of herbal oils that seem to kill lice. Neither Ulesfia nor Listerine kills nits, so the treatment needs to be repeated after they've had a chance to hatch.

Q. I am 51 and my doctor says I can't take estrogen or other HRT (hormone replacement therapy) because I am very prone to blood clots. Do you have any recommendations for natural remedies for hot flashes and insomnia?

A. Although HRT can be effective against hot flashes, it is not for everyone. Estrogen increases the chance of blood clots, so it is too risky for women like you. Even bioidentical hormones from natural sources could be dangerous.

There are other approaches, both natural and pharmaceutical. Antidepressants such as Effexor, Paxil or Pristiq can ease hot flashes, but they have many side effects and might be difficult to stop.

We are sending you our new Guide to Menopause for an in-depth discussion of ways to ease symptoms. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (61 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. W-50, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.com.

In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them c/o King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St., 15th floor, New York, NY 10019, or via their Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.org