Quick Treatments For Head Lice

For head lice to multiply, they need an environment that keeps them comfortable. Luckily, it’s relatively easy to get rid of head lice and nits. If these unwelcome house guests are bugging your family, then we’ll show you how to get rid of them quickly and keep them from coming back.

For headlice to spread, a person must have direct personal contact with someone who is infested, or by contact with infested clothing and items. Head lice is extremely contagious, so if you suspect an infestation, use a nit-removal lice comb to check everyone in your household. Symptoms include itching, swollen glands in the back of the neck, foul-smelling hair and small, oval white or gray-white spots stuck to the hair shaft. If you do find lice or nits, remove them using tweezers, your finger-nails, or a piece of tape wrapped around your finger, sticky side up. Adult lice are reddish-brown and do not jump or fly.

Treating head lice is as easy as consulting a pharmacist for shampoos that kill head lice and nits. The National Pediculosis Association strongly advises against using lice products containing lindane, because it has been associated with a number of serious medical conditions, including seizures and possibly cancer. You can treat eyelashes and eyebrows with a thick layer of petroleum jelly applied twice daily for eight days. For a head lice home remedy, try using olive oil or mayonnaise on the head. There is some evidence that it works by smothering the nits. Massage it into the hair, leave it in as long as possible and then manually comb out the nits. Heat can kill lice and nits, so use a hair dryer after treatments.

Getting rid of head lice in your belongings requires a bit of elbow grease. The good news is that lice don’t live long without a human host. Start by washing all bedding, towels and recently worn clothing. Heat can kill lice and lice eggs, so soak everything in hot water and dry them in a hot dryer. You don’t have to replace all of your brushes and combs, but soak them for at least ten minutes in hot water. To clean items that can’t be washed, give them a thorough vacuuming. If you have a steamer cleaner, that’s definitely advisable. Don’t forget to check the headrests in your car for head lice.

Because lice are so contagious, it’s best to keep your family home for a few days while you’re undergoing treatment. It’s also best to notify your child’s school so that they can check other kids for head lice. It may be a little embarrassing, but it’s better than letting these pests spread. Take this opportunity to educate your family on preventative measures such as not sharing hats, bicycle helmets, combs, brushes and clothing with anyone. There’s no telling who may be carrying lice and nits, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.