Want to get rid of head lice permanently? Of course you do! There are few words more guaranteed to make parents shudder than the dreaded ‘head lice’. Getting stuck in the endless cycle of eggs, nits and an itchy scalp make a No. 2 crew cut seem incredibly appealing (even when your kids are girls). There are less drastic answers – we promise! Show
Head Lice: The Unauthorised BiographyBefore we figure out how to get rid of head lice permanently, let’s get to know these nasty nibblers. How does a lice infestation start?Head lice are extremely common, affecting children and adults alike; however, they are mostly found in school-aged kids. They are
always looking for somewhere new to set up shop. Lice transition from one scalp to another when children or families are playing, cuddling or working together. The lice life cycleLice don’t live long but the certainly make their existence known. What is life like for a louse?‘Louse’ is the singular way of saying lice. When faced with an infestation, the first thing you want to know is how to get rid of head lice permanently. Luckily, many different products can help you eradicate them. Some parents swear by older, natural remedies, but use your own discretion when making your ultimate choice. Store-bought treatments to get rid of head lice permanentlyKP24This
is a medicated lotion and foam that provides fast and effective treatment. For optimum results, you need to use the lotion first and then follow with the foam. The active ingredient, Maldison, works by not only killing the lice but destroying the nits. The formula also contains tea tree oil, which is believed to prevent further outbreaks. Moov Head Lice SolutionMoov is another popular choice. Using a combination of natural essential oils, it is an excellent choice for those looking to go down a more natural route but still wanting an effective outcome. You can also pair the solution with the Moov Spray to keep those critters at bay and prevent re-infestation. NitWits Absolute Head Lice SolutionThis is an excellent choice for children with irritated scalps and sensitive skin. The product is formulated for sensitive skin and is also free of any strong smell. Banlice® MousseThis one’s perfect for children who have trouble sitting still. Because it is a mousse, it does not drip. This makes it easy to keep out of the little one’s eyes as they squirm. The mousse has a pleasant smell and is effective against both the adult lice and their eggs. Natural lice removal options to try (and some to skip)If you aren’t keen to try pharmaceutical products and would prefer a more natural treatment, there are a few options. Unfortunately, these are not scientifically proven, so be warned – they may not combat the infestation successfully or get rid of head lice permanently. Tea Tree OilTea Tree Oil is popular within natural health circles but experts are not convinced. They say more research is needed before this product is declared to work in all circumstances. If you do decide to try Tea Tree Oil to a lice-infested scalp, be careful. The product is strong and can have dangerous side effects. It should not be applied in its pure form to babies, young children or pregnant women. It is also said that a light spray of diluted tea tree oil or lavender oil on the hair just before school can discourage head lice from choosing your child’s head as their next new home. VinegarVinegar is also purported to do the job of lice-icide, however, the jury is still out. The acid in vinegar may well kill young lice, but it lacks the properties to eliminate the adults. It does help in getting rid of the nits though, as the acetic acid loosens the glue that holds them to the shaft. This makes combing out those sticky eggs a lot easier. MouthwashMouthwash has been rumoured to suffocate and kill lice. The herbal ingredients in some mouthwashes have been said to prevent reinfestation and discourage lice from setting up shop. Although mouthwash can suffocate the adult lice, the eggs can lay dormant (and there are always eggs) so it is not an effective solution. Olive OilAnother popular option is olive oil. Some informal studies do show olive oil can work as an effective treatment of lice. Don’t get too excited though, it can take more than EIGHT hours for the lice to die. And olive oil treatment is also ineffective in destroying nits so they would need to combed out to end an infestation. You could consider using oil in combination with vinegar to loosen the nits if you are set on an all-natural remedy. HeatIf you are thinking you can kill those lice and nits with a hair straightener, think again! It is true the heat will kill the lice but most of them live very close to the scalp. This spells danger for your child’s head. It also isn’t going to get rid of all of the nits. Another problem with the straightener technique is that it can do permanent damage to the fine hair follicles and hair shafts of a child. Patience and conditionerOne of the most effective, non-pharmaceutical treatments is to patiently comb out nits and lice using a special nit comb (available from any pharmacy) and any white-coloured normal hair conditioner. The white colour makes the lice easier to spot. Also, the conditioner acts to slow lice down while you get to work, so this technique can be effective. However, if you have tried getting a young child to sit still for this procedure, you are not likely to want to repeat the experience. Friends have reported waiting for their child to fall asleep them laying them on the floor with a towel under their head to then commence this technique. How to get rid of head lice permanently: what to avoid
Tricks to avoid re-infestationOnce you have got rid of the lice and nits, it is essential to try to keep them gone. Here are the best tips for keeping these sneaky parasites at bay:
Remember, no product is guaranteed to stop your child from getting lice, no matter what the advertising says. Lice: Be alert, not alarmedHaving a head lice infestation does not mean you or your children are dirty. Lice do not discriminate – dirty, clean, rich, poor. Anyone can find lice
on their children’s scalp. Make sure to let your children know that this happens to everyone and that you will help them get it sorted straight away. Although they may feel embarrassed, it is ultimately part of the human condition. Once they receive the treatment, the lice will be a distant memory. What kills lice in hair immediately?Permethrin lotion, 1%;
Permethrin lotion 1% is approved by the FDA for the treatment of head lice. Permethrin is safe and effective when used as directed. Permethrin kills live lice but not unhatched eggs. Permethrin may continue to kill newly hatched lice for several days after treatment.
How do you get rid of lice overnight?Petroleum jelly (Vaseline).
The thick jelly supposedly suffocates lice by clogging their breathing holes. For best results, coat the hair and scalp, cover it overnight with a shower cap, and wash out the next morning. Comb for nits. Repeat the treatment one week later.
How can I remove nits permanently from my hair in one day?The five steps for getting rid of nits and head lice naturally are:. Wash your hair with vinegar. The first step is to wash your hair with a mixture of vinegar and warm water. ... . Use a mixture of essential oils. ... . Comb your hair using a fine-tooth comb. ... . Wash your clothes in hot water. ... . Repeat all the steps after 9 days.. Can lice go away in 2 days?Head lice survive less than one or two days if they fall off the scalp and cannot feed. Head lice eggs (nits) cannot hatch and usually die within a week if they do not remain under ideal conditions of heat and humidity similar to those found close to the human scalp.
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