Head lice infestation is common and affects almost 6 million to 12 million people worldwide in a year. The sooner you treat head lice, the better it is. Delaying the treatment can lead to further infestation. Head lice are the unwelcome guest that needs immediate treatment. Hair lice are most common in school-age kids who are more likely to come in close contact with others. Children aged between 3 to 12 years old are at high risk, as they make head-to-head contact with their friends while playing and sharing items together. The lice feed on blood sucked through the scalp and lay eggs. Their eggs are also called nits, which firmly attach to hair shafts (hair strands from the scalp). Many adults too get exposed to head lice for many reasons. Get ready to understand the cause and treatment of those pesky critters.
What Are Common Head Lice Symptoms?
Lice attaches to hair and leads to an itchy scalp by feeding on blood from the scalp. The head lice symptoms are easily noticeable, as they move by crawling and cannot jump or fly. Furthermore, head lice eggs are also easy to find as they get attached to the hair shafts like a shiny pearl.
Symptoms of head lice include:
- Tickling sensation like something is moving in your hair
- Itching scalp
- Sores from scratching and itching
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Seeing bugs while combing your hair
- Finding lice eggs (nits)
What Causes Head Lice Infestation?
The most common reason for head lice infestation is head-to-head contact. The lice move quickly from one person to another by crawling and can also crawl on objects that come in contact with human hair, like hats, towels, and combs. Furthermore, poor hygiene is another common cause of head lice. Many adults face this lice infestation due to poor hygiene. Moreover, there is a misconception that animals and pets spread lice to humans. Animals and pets cannot get lice or spread them to humans.
Head Lice Treatment: Home Remedies
You can get head lice treatment at home if you prefer not to use medication or clinical shampoos. Following are some ways by which you may eliminate the lice infestation easily using self-care.
Wet Combing
Comb your wet hair with a fine-toothed nit comb to remove lice from your hair. You can start by wetting your hair and may lubricate your hair with conditioner or olive oil to easily comb it. Starting from the roots of the scalp to the end, comb your hair at least twice a week. Repeat this process for several weeks for better results.
Use Essential Oils
Natural plant oils may kill lice by depriving them of air. Though its effectiveness is uncertain, it is worth a try. Some of the essential oils you can try are:
- Tea tree oil
- Anise oil
- Ylang -ylang oil
Treatment For Head Lice And Eggs?
Apart from self-care, head lice treatment includes over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, prescribed shampoos, lotions, or creams. This helps eliminate head lice and nits from your hair easily.
Head Lice Shampoo
Head lice treatment shampoos must be prescribed by the hair specialist. Always read the instructions on the treatment label before you use the shampoo. This OTC treatment involves pyrethrins as active ingredients, which are made of an extract of flowers of the chrysanthemum family. Some prescribed lice shampoos are:
- Benzyl alcohol (Ulesfia)
- Lindane prescription shampoo
The pyrethrin shampoos only kill lice and not their eggs. This brings us to its alternative.
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Permethrin Lotion
Permethrin lotion is another product used as an OTC head lice treatment. This product, once used, does not wash off easily and leaves some residue on hair. This kills newly hatched insects and thereby eliminates the head lice infestation completely. You must use the lotion as per the doctor’s prescribed instructions.
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Dimethicone: Non-pesticide
This non-pesticide, silicon-based material puts a coating on lice and interferes with their ability to manage water. Without proper hydration, lice do not survive a day. It may be considered a more effective OTC treatment than products with pesticides.
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Head Lice Medication
A doctor or healthcare provider’s recommendation is necessary before using any head lice medicine. Always follow the instructions given on the prescription. Furthermore, after using the medicine, check for lice again in 8 to 12 hours using a nit comb to remove dead lice and nits. Keep checking hair with a nit comb every 2 to 3 days a week to ensure there are no more head lice eggs in your hair.
Some medications one can try after the approval of the doctor are as follows:
- Spinosad (Natroba): Spinosad is an approved head lice medicine for adults and children above 6 months and older. It can be applied on dry hair and rinsed after 10 minutes.
- Malathion: It is approved for adults and children aged 2 years and older. This is in a lotion form, which can be applied for 8 hours. It can be reapplied after 7 to 9 days of first treatment, if necessary.
- Ivermectin (Stromectol): This head lice medicine is taken by mouth and given to children weighing over 33 pounds.
Conclusion
Head lice spreads fast through head contact and sharing of personal items. Since symptoms are easy to determine, you can use nit comb or home self-care tips as soon as you see one crawling through your head. Even after home treatment, if lice do not stop spreading, you must contact your doctor for appropriate head lice treatment. Furthermore, focus on scalp hygiene and regularly wash your items like hats, pillow covers, and combs.
