Home Lice Treatments
Lice are sesame seed-sized insects that live on your scalp and drink your blood. The Mayo Clinic says they can sometimes be seen over your ears or at the nape of your neck. These parasites lay their eggs in your hair, continually increasing their population. You will get tiny red bumps on your scalp, shoulder and neck which are extremely itchy, and you can pass the infection on to other people if you are in close proximity or share personal items. Fortunately, there are several home lice treatments you can use to get rid of these parasites.
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Purpose
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The purpose of home lice treatment is to kill the insects and get rid of their eggs, which are known as nits, before they hatch and cause a reinfection. The adult insects live on the scalp, and the nits are on the hair shafts. Although they look like dandruff, they cannot be easily removed. Lice also can infect the surrounding environment, getting on clothes, bedding and furniture. Those areas also must be treated to ensure you will not get reinfected.
Products
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Although you can get prescription treatments for lice from a doctor, you can purchase over the counter products if you prefer to handle the problem yourself. These include lotions and shampoos formulated to kill the lice. Each product will have its own instructions, but the Mayo Clinic says they typically must be used once, then reapplied in a week to 10 days to ensure that all the lice are gone. You can find OTC lice treatments in virtually any pharmacy. The Mayo Clinic warns that these products should not be used on children under 2 years old.
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Vinegar
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The Mayo Clinic says that vinegar can be an excellent enhancement to home shampoo treatments. After shampooing, you should saturate your hair with the vinegar and leave it on for several minutes prior to combing it out. This helps remove the nits. Once you have combed it thoroughly, it should be towel dried. If you prefer, you can strip down locks of hair with your fingers rather than using a comb.
Combing
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A special nit comb or fine-toothed comb should be used every three to four days while your hair is wet. This process is known as nit-picking, and the Head Lice Info website says it is crucial for getting rid of a lice infestation. Combing can be done in conjunction with vinegar or after regular shampooing. You should repeat this process for two to three weeks. The Mayo Clinic says that combing is especially helpful for very young children who cannot be treated with conventional products. Combs and brushes used during lice treatment should be washed in hot, soapy water or soaked for an hour in rubbing alcohol.
Environment
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When you have lice, you must treat your hair and head and also your entire environment. Otherwise, you can get reinfected easily. All washable items, such as clothes and bedding, should be cleaned in soapy water that is at least 130 degrees F. They should be dried thoroughly in a gas or electric dryer on the highest heat setting. If you have potentially contaminated items that cannot be washed, seal them in airtight bags and leave them for two weeks. This should kill the lice. Vacuum the floor thoroughly, and cover your furniture with painter's drop cloths for two weeks.
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References
- Photo Credit Photo: sxc.hu (aperfect1)
