What are the Most Effective Ways to Eliminate Head Lice?

Effective Head Lice Removal: Best Treatments and Prevention Methods

The tiny insects that crawl and live in an individual's hair are called lice. They suck blood from the person's scalp for food and lay eggs in their hair. These eggs are called nits and remain attached to the hair on your skin's surface. 

Children between the ages of 3 and 11 years are mostly at risk of getting lice due to frequent head-to-head contact with other children while playing. It is necessary to get rid of these insects as early as possible. Otherwise, they will make your scalp itchy, causing irritation and infection.

Keep reading to learn effective ways to remove head lice.

How to Remove Lice from Your Head Effectively?

Here are some of the effective ways to eliminate lice from your head:

1.Wet Combing

It is a traditional method of removing lice, in which you spray conditioner on wet hair and comb it with a fine-toothed comb. It helps differentiate the dandruff and lice so that you can remove the lice from each hair strand. Though effective, it is a time-consuming process.

2.Smothering

Another effective way to get rid of lice is to smother or suffocate them. For this method, you must coat the hair with almond or olive oil, divide it into small sections, and comb it. Keep rinsing the comb with hot water frequently. 

Once done, wash your hair with regular shampoo and clean the comb properly. You can repeat this process twice a week to effectively eliminate lice.

3.Use Dimethicone

It is often used in skincare products that form a layer on the skin to protect it from allergens or irritants. It helps dehydrate and suffocate the lice so they cannot feed or survive for long. 

4.Use Essential Oils

Essential oils like tea tree, lavender, and neem can help eliminate head lice when used with combing. Always dilute oils, test for allergies, and never ingest them. Apply the mixture overnight and repeat as needed. Some oils may cause allergic reactions, especially in children, so caution is advised.

5.Cleaning the Household

Lice rarely survive off the scalp for more than a day, but as a precaution, wash bedding and clothing in hot water, clean hair accessories in hot, soapy water, seal unwashable items in plastic bags for two weeks, and vacuum floors and furniture used by the affected person.

What Causes Head Lice?

Head lice are mostly caused by direct head contact or sharing items like hair brushes, combs, hats, etc. Lice crawl, fly, or jump from one person to another through shared items or direct contact. It has nothing to do with poor hygiene.

How to Prevent Head Lice?

The best way to prevent head lice is to avoid sharing towels, hats, combs, or brushes with anyone who might have lice. Avoiding physical contact with the person with lice is also necessary to prevent the lice from spreading.

Here are some more ways to prevent head lice:

●  Avoid head-to-head contact
●  If anyone in your family has lice, wash clothes, bedding, etc., with hot water
●  Avoid sharing hats or any other items that you put on your head with others
●  Vacuum clean the furniture and areas of your home that have been used or occupied by a person with lice

What is the Treatment for Lice Removal?

Head lice are typically treated with medications that kill lice and some eggs, but a second treatment is often necessary to eliminate newly hatched lice before they mature. Treatment should include all infested household members and their close contacts simultaneously. 

1.Over-the-counter (OTC) Treatments

This treatment uses permethrin (Nix), a synthetic pyrethroid toxic to lice, after washing hair (no conditioner). It does not kill nits, so repeat treatment is needed 9–10 days later. Side effects may include scalp redness and itching.

Another OTC drug is pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide. It kills live lice but not eggs; a second treatment is needed after 9–10 days. Not suitable for those allergic to chrysanthemums or ragweed.

2.Prescription Treatments (for resistant cases or OTC failure)

Here are some of the drugs used in prescription treatment:

• Spinosad (Natroba): It is approved for ages 6 months and older. This medicine is applied to dry hair for 10 minutes and rinsed. It kills both lice and nits, often without needing repeat treatment.
• Malathion: This medicine is suitable for ages 2 years and older. After application, it is left to dry for 8–12 hours. It is flammable and should not be used with heat sources. May be reapplied after 7–9 days if needed.
• Ivermectin (Sklice, Stromectol): It is available as a topical lotion or oral tablet (for children over 14.9 kgs). The lotion is applied once and rinsed after 10 minutes; the oral form is used if topical treatments fail.

3.Other Considerations

Benzyl alcohol lotion and lindane shampoo may be prescribed in certain cases, but lindane is rarely used due to toxicity concerns.
Regardless of the treatment procedure you undergo, always follow your doctor's instructions and schedule. After applying medicines or shampoo, always comb your hair with a fine-toothed nit comb to remove the lice and eggs properly.

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