Controlling A Lice Infestation - How to Get Rid of Lice Infestation
A lice infestation is inconvenient, but it doesn’t pose a threat to your family’s health. If you do find yourself with an infestation in your home, then don’t panic! Head lice and nits can be killed with products that are available at pharmacies and a little elbow grease. We’ll explain how simple getting rid of head lice can be and show you how to keep them from coming back.
Head lice are parasites that live on the scalp and feed on human blood. Anyone who comes in close contact with someone who already has head lice is at risk. The insects can also be spread by sharing clothing, brushes or towels. Personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home or school has nothing to do with getting them. In fact, lice seem to prefer clean hair and can live on a person’s head for as long as thirty days. Nits are head lice eggs and appear as oval, whitish beads on the hair shaft. They are most commonly found behind the ears and at the back of the neck, but are rarely found on the body, eyelashes or eyebrows.
Scalp irritation or a crawling sensation in your hair may be a sign of an infestation. Adult lice are very small and fast, so you may not see them. Nits are far more visible. To remove the nits, use a metal lice comb, your fingernails or tape. Removing nits is essential to controlling an infestation. There are a number of very effective, over the counter treatments. Use the products as directed and don’t leave the head lice shampoo or rinse in hair longer than instructed because they can burn the scalp. Continue to remove any nits that remain and repeat the treatment a week later.
You may have the urge to move after discovering a lice infestation, but the good news is that the bugs cannot survive for more than a few days once they’ve fallen off the host. To kill head lice and nits on sheets, towels and clothing, wash the items in hot water and dry them in a very hot dryer for at least twenty minutes. You can also store the items in an airtight bag for at least two weeks.
To control the spread of lice, you should advise your child’s school of a lice infestation at home. Because infestations are so common among children, it’s likely that other kids have been affected. Use this as a chance to teach your child how to stay safe and clean. Prevention is the best way of keeping these nasty pests away from your home.
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