Head Lice Treatment: Which Methods Work?
Nearly everyone fears the very thought of getting head lice. If chills run down your back when someone you know gets lice, getting them yourself can be downright terrifying. If this happens to you, however, you aren't alone. Head lice treatment can, in fact, be very simple. There are several different methods that will rid you of head lice for good.
Before you can treat hair lice, you need to determine whether you actually have an infection in the first place. Common symptoms of an infection include an itchy scalp (from the lice biting the scalp) and visible nits, or lice eggs. The nits generally resemble dandruff but are harder to dislodge.
Once you've decided you truly do have lice, you need to pick a head lice treatment. Many different treatments exist; however, not all of them are thoroughly tested and/or scientifically proven. For best results, you are better off sticking to the tried-and-true methods. Luckily, plenty exist.
A method for head lice treatment is to shave all your head. Once you have cut all your hair, the lice have nothing to cling to and will not remain on your scalp anymore. But a shaved head may not be in style with your personal choices. In the case, don't worry. There are less drastic methods.
It can be very effective to comb our hair for lice. To do this, you need to buy a special lice comb. Using this comb, you are able to remove both young and adult lice from the hair. There are some combs which allow you also to remove nits. If you comb your hair for lice, it's better to oil the comb before, so that it can glide easily through your hair.
Head lice treatment may be found in the form of lotions or shampoos. Most contain permethrin, a chemical that kills the lice and their nits. A mild formula, easily purchased over the counter in many stores, is the only strength normally recommended for very young children. However, for older children, a stronger formula may be obtained with a doctor's prescription.
With a proper head lice treatment, you should be back to normal within a week or two, although it's always a good idea to periodically check to make sure they're all gone. Although getting infected is initially scary, once you know how to get rid of lice, you'll be fine.
Head lice are often confused with dandruff, but they are more difficult to eliminate. If you should ever become infected with hair lice, there are many treatment options available. A doctor can show you how to get rid of lice, which may be as simple as shaving all of your hair or using a special comb to remove the nits, or lice eggs. You could also use an over-the-counter head lice treatment, such as permethrin, which comes in a lotion or shampoo. If none of these methods work for you, your doctor can give you a prescription treatment.
Published May 3rd, 2007
Filed in Kid