The call comes from school that your child has head lice. What to do, what to do?
You could panic, scream, wail and curse the gods. After all, head lice prove that you
and your family are no-good, rotten, filthy low class people, sure to be shunned by
society. Right? Well, not exactly. Head lice are one of the most common school age
problems, afflicting over 12 million kids each year. Fortunately, they are harmless
and it is fairly simple to get rid of head lice.
You could panic, scream, wail and curse the gods. After all, head lice prove that you
and your family are no-good, rotten, filthy low class people, sure to be shunned by
society. Right? Well, not exactly. Head lice are one of the most common school age
problems, afflicting over 12 million kids each year. Fortunately, they are harmless
and it is fairly simple to get rid of head lice.
Head Lice Identification
Shampoos like Rid or Nix are available
online and other the counter at pharmacies.
These shampoos contain permethrins or
pyrethrins and are quite effective at killing
lice. The active ingredients are insecticides.
Remember this when you apply the
shampoo. You are putting bug poison on
your hair and scalp so follow the
instructions carefully and do not overuse.
Most medicated shampoos will require a
second application after 7 to 10 days.
online and other the counter at pharmacies.
These shampoos contain permethrins or
pyrethrins and are quite effective at killing
lice. The active ingredients are insecticides.
Remember this when you apply the
shampoo. You are putting bug poison on
your hair and scalp so follow the
instructions carefully and do not overuse.
Most medicated shampoos will require a
second application after 7 to 10 days.
You Can Get Rid of Head Lice
Head lice do not portend the end of the world. They
are harmless critters that happen to be downright
persistent and contagious. Medicated shampoos are
very effective in killing lice. These over the counter
shampoos should be coupled with thorough nightly nit
combing for two to three weeks. Group play should
be avoided during this time and all clothing and
bedding should be washed in very hot water. Good
luck in your crusade against head lice.
are harmless critters that happen to be downright
persistent and contagious. Medicated shampoos are
very effective in killing lice. These over the counter
shampoos should be coupled with thorough nightly nit
combing for two to three weeks. Group play should
be avoided during this time and all clothing and
bedding should be washed in very hot water. Good
luck in your crusade against head lice.
Special Shampoos
Head lice only appear in human hair. Other types of
lice love pubic hair and body hair but they are not as
innocuous. This article focuses solely on head lice.
These lice are grayish-white and are about the size
of a sesame seed. Lice eggs, or nits, look like tiny
yellow, tan or brown dots. Lice and their nits are both
visible with the naked eye. You will know you have lice
when you see them. They will (hopefully) be the only
things crawling around up there!
lice love pubic hair and body hair but they are not as
innocuous. This article focuses solely on head lice.
These lice are grayish-white and are about the size
of a sesame seed. Lice eggs, or nits, look like tiny
yellow, tan or brown dots. Lice and their nits are both
visible with the naked eye. You will know you have lice
when you see them. They will (hopefully) be the only
things crawling around up there!
Get Rid of Head Lice
Vigilant Combing
Combing your child’s hair with a nit
comb is an essential strategy in
getting rid of head lice. A nit comb
has much finer teeth than a regular
comb. A regular comb will not do the
trick. Careful inspection of the entire
scalp is necessary to spot head lice
and nits. Comb them out and throw
them away. Head lice only live in
human hair and will die very quickly in
a trash can. Check and comb every
night for one to two weeks until all
the lice are gone.
comb is an essential strategy in
getting rid of head lice. A nit comb
has much finer teeth than a regular
comb. A regular comb will not do the
trick. Careful inspection of the entire
scalp is necessary to spot head lice
and nits. Comb them out and throw
them away. Head lice only live in
human hair and will die very quickly in
a trash can. Check and comb every
night for one to two weeks until all
the lice are gone.
Lice bite your scalp and cause itching and scratching. Mild irritation may occur
and small red bumps or sores may arise if head scratching is too harsh. Lice
pose no health problems but they are very irritating and persistent. You will
want to get rid of head lice as soon as the symptoms start. The itching and
scratching will only get worse if they are left untreated.
and small red bumps or sores may arise if head scratching is too harsh. Lice
pose no health problems but they are very irritating and persistent. You will
want to get rid of head lice as soon as the symptoms start. The itching and
scratching will only get worse if they are left untreated.
Lice Symptoms
by Ted Curtis
Make a concerted effort to keep kids away from each other when there is a
head lice infestation. Lice do not fly or jump so the only way they can travel is by
direct contact with other human hair or clothing that has been in contact with
human hair. In other words, no rough housing, head banging, wrestling and
other activities that engage in head-to-head contact.
head lice infestation. Lice do not fly or jump so the only way they can travel is by
direct contact with other human hair or clothing that has been in contact with
human hair. In other words, no rough housing, head banging, wrestling and
other activities that engage in head-to-head contact.
No Large Groups
Take all your bedding and clothes
that may come into contact with your
head and wash them in very hot
water, then throw them in the dryer
for some more heat. It doesn’t make
sense to treat the head and scalp if
the lice continue to live in your
sheets and clothes.
that may come into contact with your
head and wash them in very hot
water, then throw them in the dryer
for some more heat. It doesn’t make
sense to treat the head and scalp if
the lice continue to live in your
sheets and clothes.
Hot Washing
Sites and Blogs about Head Lice
A few of our favorite head lice sites. Check them out for great information.
Lice Centers of America eZine
Yahoo Answers The Untrained Housewife
Lice Centers of America eZine
Yahoo Answers The Untrained Housewife
Head Lice Video -- Hokey and Informative
There are other options for treating head lice if you
don’t feel comfortable with medicated shampoos.
Consider applying hair conditioner before combing for
lice. The conditioner will not kill the lice but it will make
combing easier and make lice and nits move visible.
Also, tea tree oil is a natural alternative to medicated
shampoos and lotions containing a water-soluble gel of
benzyl alcohol are also available.
don’t feel comfortable with medicated shampoos.
Consider applying hair conditioner before combing for
lice. The conditioner will not kill the lice but it will make
combing easier and make lice and nits move visible.
Also, tea tree oil is a natural alternative to medicated
shampoos and lotions containing a water-soluble gel of
benzyl alcohol are also available.
Other Lice Remedies
There are excellent products available online. Amazon offers a
comprehensive list of brand name products at inexpensive cost in their Home
and Garden Store. They even have a special section for Pest Control. Amazon
is the largest online purveyor of pest control products.
comprehensive list of brand name products at inexpensive cost in their Home
and Garden Store. They even have a special section for Pest Control. Amazon
is the largest online purveyor of pest control products.
| Get Rid Of It All |
Custom Search
| A unique view on how to get rid of virtually anything and everything. |
What do you want to get rid of?
This article is intended to educate and entertain. The author of this site does not accept responsibility for any damage or injury
resulting from information dispersed on this site. Always check with experts when dealing with dangerous substances and situations.
resulting from information dispersed on this site. Always check with experts when dealing with dangerous substances and situations.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Alphabetical List |
Home > Pest Control > Head Lice
| How to Get Rid of ... |
