Vitality News Health Articles

To get rid of hair lice, the nits which are eggs of the adult lice need to be removed as well. A lice removal shampoo will do away with the adults but is ineffective on the eggs. These eggs bond like glue to the hair shaft as a result of the substance excreted by the female adult. They usually hatch in about one week. They are very difficult to remove but unless removed, the lice infestation will continue

There are several ways to remove nits but all are time consuming. The easiest way for removal is with a fine toothed metal comb to go through the individual strands of hair one by one. Wet hair works best with this method. Using a magnifying glass is a good idea as it will make the eggs more visible. It is imperative that all the hair is examined because if nits are left behind they can and will hatch and continue the infestation.

It is vital that all infected clothes and linens be washed following the removal of the louse eggs, as these garments may also contain eggs, or perhaps even adult lice. Bleach should be used, where possible, to be utterly certain that all eggs and adults have been removed. Bleach should also be utilized on any combs or hair accessories that might still be harboring nits. Those items that cannot be placed in bleach or washed should be instead placed in a sealed plastic bag for several weeks, which will kill the pests as well.

There are a few methods that can make the removal of louse eggs from one’s hair easier, since it can be a very trying process. One such way involves soaking the infected hair in white vinegar before attempting to remove the eggs: this loosens the biological glue adhering the eggs to the hair, allowing for easier removal. Similarly, soaking the comb in vinegar prior to use can be a great help. A second method involves the application of heat to the hair immediately prior to attempts to remove the eggs.

Consider the negative possibilities when attempting “alternative medicine.” Although drugs and harsh chemicals may seem drastic, often the holistic alternatives are unproven. An example of this is mayonnaise as a cure. It quickly congeals, becoming almost impossible to wash out, and leaves a residue that spoils. In the absolute worst case, some of these treatments may even be fatal.

There are different sources available to help you with an infestation of lice. Doctors and pharmacists can advise you on products for dealing with the louse eggs. Should your child become infected, the on-site school nurse will also have this information.

To successfully deal with a hair lice infection, one must also remember the nits. These are lice eggs. The eggs become attached to individual strands of hair, stuck to each strand with a glue substance. Medicated shampoo can expedite lice removal, but the shampoo won’t remove the eggs. The simplest removal method is to use a fine-toothed metal comb to go through each strand of hair. After you remove the louse eggs, every article of clothing has to be washed because they might be harboring more eggs or adults. It might be best not to try a natural alternative course of action when trying to remove lice.

- norman horowitz