Parents Used Mayo to Kill the Lice on Her Head. Leaving the Room Was Their Biggest Mistake

It is every parent’s worst nightmare— getting a call from the school nurse informing them that their child has lice.

Even worse, the results from a 2014 study indicate that the majority of head lice found in North America are resistant to over-the-counter treatments.

As a result, parents across the country have begun using home remedies to try and knock out the pesky bugs.

Unfortunately, one parent’s attempt at using a home remedy ultimately ended the life of a young child.

According to CBS News, the Springfield, Massachusetts toddler was found non-responsive with a mayonnaise-coated scalp and a plastic bag over her head. The child’s parents were purportedly using the mayonnaise home remedy to treat a nasty case of lice.

While many doctors are skeptical about the effectiveness of the mayonnaise treatment, it has gained popularity over the years because of the mayo’s ability to “suffocate adult live head lice as well as nymphs.”

Most websites promoting the mayonnaise remedy, however, recommend using a shower cap — not a plastic bag — to cover the child’s head.

n the case of the Springfield toddler, authorities believe the girl — who was left unattended — suffocated after the plastic bag slipped over her face when she fell asleep.

The Mayo Clinic does not condemn at home remedies, but they warn that the effectiveness of such treatments are unknown. Regardless of the method chosen, parents should always proceed with care, and never, ever leave their child unattended.