Lice are parasites that cause itchiness. They are passed through personal contact or sharing belongings. There are 3 types of lice, including head lice, body lice, and pubic lice.The itching sensation is caused by the lice biting the skin or scalp causing an allergic reaction. Lice can cause other discomforts like sores, difficulty sleeping, red, bumpy skin, and general irritability. Fortunately, there are ways to check for, treat, and prevent lice. Discover how to protect yourself and your loved ones from this irritable buggers.
Detecting Lice
Figuring out whether or not you have lice can be challenging, particularly if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Lice are small, brown insects that are the size of sesame seeds. You may notice them moving around or find them in their egg formation, also known as nits. These are smaller and tend to be cemented to individual hairs. If you’re unsure whether or not you have lice, try brushing or washing your hair normally. Dirt will come out, but the lice and nits will remain. If you start to notice an irritable, itching sensation, you probably have lice.
Treating Lice
In order to remove lice, hair should be freshly cleaned and damp. If your hair is especially thick, use a detangler to make combing through easier. Using a nit comb, start at the root of the hair and comb straight back from the scalp down to the ends. Wipe the comb on a paper towel every 5-7 strokes to check for nits and/or lice. Invest in a good comb that will collect nits and lice, as the nits, or eggs, tend to be very small.
You can find a variety of lice-treating solutions at your local drugstore. These over-the-counter shampoos or lotions are applied directly to the scalp, then left to soak in for about 10 minutes. Once treated, the hair needs to be combed to remove any lice or nits. Short to medium hair should be combed completely to one direction, then to the opposite direction, then back to the front and repeated. For longer hair, part the hair down the center and divide it into sections, combing each side separately.
- Preventing Lice
Head lice are extremely contagious. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent the spread of lice. Avoid sharing personal items with other people, including:
Brushes
Combs
Towels
Hair clips & accessories
Scarves
Coats
Headsets and/or earbuds
Avoid head-to-head contact with others and always keep your belongings, particularly hats, jackets with hoods, and any hair accessories away from shared areas like coat closets. If you have little ones enrolled in school, make a habit of checking their heads for lice so as to prevent it from contaminating everything in your home.
For the best in head lice treatment and removal services, trust Lice Rescue 911.