Head Louse Information & TreatmentHead lice can cause concern to many parents for several reasons. Many parents feel head louse (or head lice) removal is more complex than it really is. They worry they don’t have the knowledge and proper equipment to remove it, but also the negative stigma attached to their child having head lice is often a concern.But the fact of the matter is that head louse infections doesn’t only affect children. Although head lice is commonly transmitted through school children, head louse can affect anyone. The only reason why it usually shows up in schools is because of the close interaction between children. That is why it can spread so easily and so quickly.
What Are Head Lice? Head lice are tiny wingless parasites that live on human hair and scalp. They are the size of a pinhead. What keeps them alive is their appetite to suck blood from the scalp to keep themselves alive. They need human hosts to stay alive that is why they can only survive on humans. They do not live on furniture, surfaces, or fabrics. Once they leave the human hair or scalp, they die. Without a human host, they can only survive for two days. However, full grown head lice can live for several weeks on the scalp. Before full grown lice are formed, eggs known as nits which can hatch in about 7 days. How Is Head Lice Transmitted? Head lice is commonly spread through head to head contact. But the other ways it can be spread is through the sharing of brushes, combs and wearing other peoples clothing like hats or scarves, sports helmets, head phones or playing with other children’s hair or hair accessories. How do I know if I have Head Lice? The best way to determine if you or a family member has head lice is to know the signs first. Itching is a good indicator, but there are also other signs like nits. Nits which are the first stage of head lice before they become full grown lice. Nits will appear as tiny white, grayish subject that will be sticking to the hair and scalp. If You Suspect You or a Family Member Has Head Lice: Contact your doctor or health care professional immediately! Your doctor will prescribe a shampoo to treat it. Make sure you inform them who the shampoo is for. Different shampoos are often recommended for different individuals. A person who has already been treated with a head lice product recently, will often require a new brand or head lice product. Those with a medical condition, skin problems or cuts, allergies, women breastfeeding or who are pregnant, of for young infancts with head lice, they will require special prodaucts prescribed by a doctor. Make sure that your doctor has all of the necessary information so that he can prescribe the best head lice product to be treated. NEVER treat someone with a head lice product unless you find head lice or nits in the hair. There are several head lice products available on the market. You don’t need a prescription to remove the head lice from the hair. However, the nits are a bit harder to remove with shampoo alone so a special comb is needed to properly remove them. This comb is a metal-pin lice comb.
Every head lice product comes with directions, so follow them faithfully. Nits do not come off the hair easily so its best to rinse the hair with equal parts vinegar and water to loosen the pesky creatures so that the come of more easily. Make sure that rubber gloves are worn to treat the individuals with head lice. The chemicals from the shampoo and head lice require special precautions. Just make sure you leave the shampoo on the hair for the required time on the product. Rinse the hair very well with warm water to thoroughly remove all of the product from the hair and scalp. Once the treatment is complete, carefully rinse the area and disinfect the area thoroughly to remove all or any of the lice shampoo. Remember, this is a chemical product that you don’t want any residue to remain in your sink or tub. Treatment of Head Lice – Naturally!Did you know that head lice can be inexpensively eliminated with tea tree oil? Yes, that’s right! Tea tree oil has strong anti-bacterial properties. The Australians commonly use tea tree oil for this reason to treat many health conditions – head lice happens to be one of them. Because of tea tree oils antifungal, antibacterial and strong antiseptic properties it’s a favorite home remedy. Tea tree oil has been evaluated by the “Australian Journal of Pharmacy” as a safe and easily accessible product. What makes tea tree oil so affective in the removal of head lice is the complex chemical properties of tea tree oil makes it difficult for organisms and parasites like lice to get away. These nasty pests cannot fight against compounds of the tea tree oil. The actual tea tree plant belongs to the same family as the eucalyptus tree. It consists of a major component called terpinen-4-ol. This component has been proven by researchers to attack mature lice because of its high solvency. It actually causes the mature lice to detach themselves from the scalp. Tea tree oil has been used for centuries in the removal of head lice because it’s safe and gentle on the skin. And its much safer on children then other chemical shampoos. Its been known to kill a high percentage of head lice upon its first application. There are actually products on the market that are natural, and can remove head lice. It is believed that 20 drops of tea tree oil mixed with an ounce of Treemedia Therapeutics Shampoo, thoroughly massaged into the hair and scalp can remove the infestation. You can use the Treemedia Therapeutic Conditioner along with the metal-pin lice comb. Some natural stores sell the Treemedia Therapeutic line so check with a natural health store near you. Ask the clerk any question you may have, and you most surely will receive the necessary help you need. Return to home page from head louse page RECENT NEWS!!!Hot air can kill head lice! Read full hot air and head lice article here...
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