Getting rid of head lice can be quite a nuisance at times and can even be disruptive as it can be extremely irritable. Treating the infestation right away is crucial as even a few eggs can easily lend itself to multiplying into thousands. Fortunately, most cases can easily be treated using both natural and over the treatment treatments so here are methods to getting rid of head lice.
What are head lice?
Learning more information about this topic can be hugely beneficial as it quite common for people to believe they have lice when they do not. Basically, head lice are parasitic insects that feed off the blood of its hosts and usually live in the hair. These pests are commonly referred to as louse in addition to pediculosis which refers to the family they come from.
The eggs these pests lay are called nits and are very tiny to see but can be found glued to the shaft of the hair. After a few days, these hatch into nymphs which then turn into adult lice which are often the size of a sesame seed which can be seen with the naked eye. In order for them to survive, they need a host to feed on in which case they can survive for up to 30 days.
Anyone can get lice and not just those with poor hygiene
When getting rid of head lice, it’s important to note that this condition is social disease so they can easily transmit from one person to the next via direct contact. This is a major reason why children represent a majority of lice cases as they are in close proximity with other individuals. It can also occur when an individual wears clothes, hats or uses other items which lice may be hiding in.
Many individuals believe that poor hygiene is responsible for infestations but this is simply not the case. In fact, you can be the cleanest person in the world and even have a house that is sparking clean but the minute you come in close contact with an infected person, you could easily have it too. While it’s true that women tend to get it more often than men, getting rid of head lice is not too difficult.
Use pediculicide to treat the infestation
Before getting started, if you have lice then it is highly recommended that those close to you also get checked just to be safe. Treatment starts by apply lice killing medicine such as pediculicide which contains pesticides that are effective at killing these pests. However, it’s important that you read the instructions very carefully as negative side effects could occur with over usage.
When it comes to how to prevent head lice, you will need to put on clean clothes and to gather all your clothes and bedding that was used in the last few days. These will then need to thoroughly washed by using hot water and drying them with high heat for at least 30 minutes. These pests are extremely vulnerable to heat so they will be completely removed from your clothes by following this procedure.
Repeat the process and use a fine tooth comb
For getting rid of head lice, a metal fine tooth comb will also need to be used so that all the remaining lice and their eggs get combed out. Depending on the severity of the infestation, the medicine may need to be applied several times or left for a longer period of time. If you notice symptoms getting worse, then it is highly suggested that you consult with a doctor.
After following this procedure, be sure to check and comb your hair every couple days for at least two weeks. If necessary, you may need to treat yourself again after about a week or so if you still notice lice in your hair. If the infestation problem is not dealt with, then a more aggressive approach will need to be taken by using prescriptions that your doctor can prescribe for you.
Methods to prevent head lice occurrences
Preventative measures can also be taken so you don’t have to worry about getting rid of head lice. If you have a child, then this is even more so important as they can unknowingly bring an infestation to your house which can affected other family members. Start by encouraging your child not to share hats, clothes or other items with their schoolmates if possible.
In addition, you can also check their hair about twice a week and to treat right away using the methods as described above. Even if you travel or stay in hotel rooms, it’s a good idea to make use of a steam cleaner and to wrap your items in plastic bags so any live lice will suffocate. Taking these measures alone are sure to help a great deal to prevent such occurrences.
Summary of steps to take
Upon noticing an infestation, check to ensure that it is really is lice by checking near the shaft of the hair for any eggs or any lice which may be hiding. Then proceed to use lice killing medicine which may need to be left in for several hours while using a fine metal tooth comb afterwards. This process may be tedious but it’s important that you remain patient when getting rid of head lice.
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