Identifying and Treating Head Lice, Without Losing Your Mind

One sure-fire symptom of head lice is itching. But does every itch mean there is a head lice infestation? Before rushing to conclusions, check the hair and scalp thoroughly. Other symptoms include a tickling feeling in the hair, visible bugs or nits or sores from frequent scratching.

A brightly lighted room and fine tooth comb will ultimately help locate and identify the cause of the itching. If you see a live louse crawling on the scalp or hair, you will need to start treatment as soon as possible. Nits, or eggs, are harder to identify simply because they are attached to the base of the hair with a very hard glue-like substance.

Who Head Lice Affects

Head lice most often affect families with school age children or a child in day care. Issues such as personal hygiene, social status or wealth have nothing to do with who may be affected. Most children have been taught to share everything from toys to pencils and paper. The problem is they also often like to share things like hats, coats and hairbrushes. If a child affected with head lice shares a brush or other infected item with your child; your child has a very high chance of also being affected.

Head lice infect heads and homes of the wealthy just as easily as the poor, so don't make the mistake of thinking it can't happen to you. In fact, head lice prefer clean hair because their eggs stick to the hair shaft more easily than in dirty or oily hair. Don't be embarrassed or offended if your child attracts head lice from a school mate or a day care buddy. It's very common among children ages 3 to 11.

Head Lice Treatment

Once head lice find their way into your home, treatment must be started as soon as possible. Treatment options range from natural home remedies to chemical shampoos and rinses. The head lice treatment option you choose depends entirely on your individual needs. Some people tend to be allergic to chemical treatment options and require a natural remedy. After choosing and using your preferred method of treatment, you will need to treat all clothing and bed clothing. The simplest way to treat clothing and bed clothing is to put them in an airtight bag for at least 7 days then wash them in hot water.

Head lice treatment options may be chemical or natural. Most treatments should not be used on very small children or infants; read the instructions carefully! Natural head lice treatments may include olive oil, vinegar or mayonnaise. These are very inexpensive forms of treatment and could take 7-10 days to rid your household of head lice entirely. Chemical treatments include shampoos and rinses with pesticides that generally require at least 2 treatments and up to 5 days to complete a full cycle.

Treatments often require multiple applications simply because the eggs are attached to the skin and hair near the root with a substance similar to glue. Several eggs may be attached to one hair with the special sticky substance that is very difficult to loosen and remove. Some chemicals and vinegar are very good at dissolving the glue. The ability to dissolve the glue makes egg removal with a louse comb much more effective. Once all live adult lice and eggs are removed, your infestation problems are history!

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