How to get rid of head lice?

If you have ever faced the problem of head lice, you will know how difficult it is to get rid of them.

There are a variety of products available in pharmacies – from special combs to shampoos – but sometimes that’s not enough.

You need to understand how they live, spread, and survive, so that you can defeat them and get rid of them forever.

What are head lice?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes head lice as insects about the size of a sesame seed.

Lice drink blood from the human scalp. When they suck blood, they release saliva which can cause allergies and itching. They live for about 30 days.

Female lice can lay up to eight eggs a day. They crawl – they cannot jump or fly.

Unlike body lice, head lice are not dangerous and do not spread diseases.

How are lice spread?

Lice spread by direct contact — they crawl from one head to another.

They can also be spread through scarves, combs, towels, hair ties, pillows, sheets and coats — almost anything that has come into contact with an infected person’s hair.

“If they fall off the head, they can survive for up to 48 hours on a surface without eating. As soon as someone enters a room, they move toward them for food,” said Rosario Melero, a specialist in medical parasitology at Fundación IO in Madrid, Spain.

Also Read: 4 Effective Ways to Get Rid of Hair Lice Naturally

Can lice survive in water?

Yes, lice can survive in water for several hours. In fact, you may even find them in swimming pools.

“Their body allows them to float,” Melero said, adding that when the hair is wet they “find it easier to stick to the head.”

Who is most at risk of getting lice?

Children are most at risk of getting lice.

,[Kids] “There are no hormonal changes,” Melero said. “And that’s what lice are like.”

They have much thinner skin than adults, making it easier for lice to bite.

“Maximum efficiency, minimum effort,” Melero said. “But it also helps that [kids] have very close contact with each other [than adults]”Kids put their heads together at school or when playing.”

Berlin dermatologist Yael Adler said girls often have longer hair than boys, so they are more likely to have lice. “It’s easier for lice because they can move from one hair to another [when hair] “That’s pretty long,” Adler said.

Similarly, within families, mothers often get lice from their children.

,[Mothers] “They’re usually the ones who protect their kids from lice and often they have long hair,” Melero said.

But this can be true for anyone – of any gender – who has long hair, which can help combat lice in children.

Also read: My mom says clove oil is the best home remedy for lice

Is there any benefit in washing your hair regularly?

No. Clean hair makes it easier for lice to reach the scalp, Melero said.

Why is it so hard to get rid of lice?

One of the main problems is identifying the lice and their eggs in the first place – if you don’t find any lice, you’ll think all is well.

“There could be just one louse on the head and you can’t spot it, especially on dark hair. If it lays eggs, it lays them behind the ears and they’re so small they can be mistaken for dandruff,” Adler said.

Melero said it would help if a culture of prevention against lice was adopted just like it does against mosquitoes and malaria.

“There are repellents you can apply to the head to prevent lice from biting or laying eggs. It’s also important to use a fine-toothed comb to remove any eggs that may be hidden even several days after the last time lice were seen on the head,” Melero said.

What can you do if you have body lice?

The most common treatment is insecticidal shampoos. They need to be applied several times to kill all live lice. But they are less effective against lice eggs, called nits. You can apply silicone oil by soaking the hair and scalp.

“After 10 minutes, all the lice will die and you can remove them with a lice removal comb. The whole process should be repeated after eight days if there are any lice left. It is also recommended that the rest of the family members be given the same treatment to avoid any infection,” Adler said.

Wash clothing that has come in contact with lice at 60°C (140°F).

Place items that cannot be washed at high temperatures in the freezer for several hours, or seal them in a bag for a few days.

And always consult your family doctor or general physician.