is it safe to treat a 1 yr old with lice medicine?!

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Yes if you use one of the newer non-insecticide formulas based instead on a silicone-based polymer called dimethicone. This works on a different principle and suffocates lice and nits (eggs). It is said to be more effective than malathion (insecticide)-based treatments also.1 It has a low hazard rating according to Skin Deep cosmetic safety data2.

But you could try coconut oil instead but you may have to leave this on for several hours. This should suffocate any living lice. Olive oil or mayonnaise may alternatively work similarly to coconut oil.

Any solution/oil based treatment would need a follow up after a week or so to remove 'hatchlings' of nits that were not removed by combing or not suffocated fully.

Some salons may offer treatment using a blow dryer-like device to blow lice out of the hair3. They would most likely combine this with combing to remove nits (..as demonstrated on the tv program 'Embarrassing Bodies' if i am not mistaken). You could inquire at a few salons regarding this treatment and its suitability for a 1 year old.

1http://www.newborntoteen.com/Children_ar…
2http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingredi…
3http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-…

Best wishes.

You should be able to eliminate them with a comb, but a doctor can prescribe a treatment if you think it's your only option. Lice usually become a problem at kindergarten/school age, when kids start engaging in large-scale social activity, so I would be cautious about using a non-prescription shampoo or treatment aimed at 3-7 year olds.

I would definitely contact the pediatrician, the chemicals in the over the counter lice medications can cause toxicity if the it is used to frequently. So, my concern would be the size/amount ratio. Depending on your child's weight and other health issues which may or may not exist, her pediatrician will know what to do.. good luck.

Those medications and shampoos can be toxic and I would advise against using them on an infant. You can use mayonnaise or coconut on her hair to smother the lice, put a shower cap on and let it set for a couple of hours, then shampoo with baby shampoo. Wash clothing and put in a hot dryer to kill any eggs. Keep checking her under a bright light with a comb .

If I was you, i'd be asking this question to my peditrician

no. just shave their head.