Easy Steps To Head Lice Removal

By Frances Keith

Head lice are unfortunately very common which means that most people will catch them at some point, usually as a child. These insects spread by crawling from one person's hair to another's, so it is no surprise they are most common amongst children who often play with their heads touching. Knowing how to deal with head lice removal is therefore important as infestations occur frequently in school children, their friends and families.

Removal can be problematic because re-infestation can occur so quickly if a child's hair makes contact with that of someone who has not been treated. Studies have also found that these insects appear to becoming resistant to some of the chemicals used in lotions. These difficulties can be overcome, however.

Infestations should be taken care of quickly, as left untreated, even one louse will multiply. There are various lotions available to treat this problem. Scientists believe that lice will not become resistant to the newer lotions because instead of relying on insecticides, modern lotions contain silicones and oils, which physically affect the insects making them unable to breathe.

A health-care professional should be consulted before using any lotion, as some lotions are not suitable for everyone. It is particularly important to seek professional advice if treating a baby, pregnant women, an asthmatic, eczema sufferer, someone with cuts to the head, or someone with allergies or sensitive skin.

Instructions need to be followed carefully for optimum results as lotions can vary on how long they should be applied for, for example. Some lotions can be applied at night and washed off in the morning but others should be left on for a much shorter period of time. There are now lotions available that only require one treatment but usually treatment needs to be repeated one week later.

Tying back long hair and putting Afro hair in braids can help prevent re-infestation, as can washing bedding and clothes that have come into contact with the head. Everybody in a family needs treatment, and friends at school and out of school should be told so that their hair can be treated if necessary. Some schools will send out a letter asking parents to check their child's hair if a classmate has this problem, which is a great way to prevent re-infestation.

A natural way to deal with this problem is by wet combing with a fine-toothed comb; these can be purchased at pharmacies. Lots of conditioner needs to be used after washing and rinsing the hair, and the hair is then combed. After every stroke, wiping with tissue paper or rinsing the comb in a container of warm water will remove any pests. It is important not to miss any sections of hair and to repeat every few days until not a single louse is found. This is a good treatment for people sensitive to medicated lotions or desiring a more natural treatment but it is obviously more time consuming, especially for those with lots of thick, long, curly or difficult to comb hair.

Dealing with head lice removal is important because if left untreated the insects will multiply and may cause itchiness and irritation. This problem is incredibly common but the pests can be removed fairly easily if dealt with quickly.

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