Nits And Various Methods Of Removal

Head lice have been around as long as there have been human beings. Lice are a parasite that live off their human host. They can lay their eggs, called nits, anywhere on the body that there is hair, although head hair is the most common place, and must be combed out of the hair using a special head lice comb. A shampoo lice treatment is also beneficial to kill the mature head lice.

Upon discovering that one has lice, the first course of action it to remove all possible hiding places for lice. Things such as sheets, pillow cases, brushes, combs, and clothing worn should be washed. Anything that cannot be washed should be placed in an air-tight container for at least fourteen days. After outside sources of lice have been treated, the infected head should be treated.

The simplest way of treating head lice is simply to shave the hair. The hair must be shaved completely, not just trimmed short. This is easier to do when the hair is not located on the head. Since it is not socially acceptable to shave one's head, other treatments are advisable.

Less dramatic methods for treatment of head lice also exist. It's helpful to use a lice comb to get nits out of the hair, but that treatment alone usually isn't wholly effective. If you feel more comfortable with natural remedies, you're in good company. Many people are concerned about the possible side effects of chemical solutions; however, the chemical treatments are almost always the best. All-natural solutions minimize the problem but rarely completely eradicate it. Some natural solutions may actually be more harmful than their chemical counterparts because they aren't required to have government regulation!

Most often, doctors recommend using a chemical pesticide. 1% solutions of permethrin or pyrethrin are the most commonly prescribed. Both of these chemicals attack lice through their respiratory system and kill them after a few applications spread over a couple of weeks. Combing the hair with a lice comb is also necessary to remove eggs and prevent a future infestation. Both products are applied to the scalp area of dry hair. Because these are pesticides, a doctor should be consulted before using either product.

There are less orthodox methods out there as well. Combing an ordinary conditioner through the hair and leaving it on for 4 or more hours may be effective. It can weaken the ability of the lice to hold onto the hair and make the nits more easily seen. There are electric combs that are advertised to treat lice. Some people believe that lice are attracted to longer hair and keep a shorter hairstyle on those at risk. These methods of treating head lice are more recent and proper research has not been done to prove their effectiveness.

Seeking the advice of a doctor is recommended due to the numerous treatments available.