Head lice Treatments, which should I use?

Posted On May 19, 2009 at 11:29 am in Headlice

When it comes to getting rid of a head lice infection there  is a diverse range of treatments available. These  include the use of chemical preparations and  a wide range of alternative treatments and methodologies. You can even pay someone else to do the job for you.

When it comes to which treatment to choose the actual choice will  depend on your inclination and fortitude for the task. The  manual removal  of head lice by ‘ bug busting’ using a fine toothed nit comb, otherwise known as wet combing, is both  painstaking and time consuming. It  involves getting up really close and personal – and  the treatment has to be repeated several times in order to ensure all the head lice and nits are removed.

There are a range of chemical ( basically insecticide) preparations  widely available, either over the counter or  on prescription. These are  widely advertised as being effective and  simple to apply – although the instructions for use sometimes seem complicated and most need repeat applications.  Some of these are not suitable for very young children and others  may be contraindicated if there is known health problem.

These days people are much more informed and knowledgeable and  therefore wary about  the potential  short and long term effects of  chemicals.  Many  parents turn to non chemical solutions for treating  head lice ,and not just for health and environmental reasons.  Head lice have been with us since  time began, they are survivors and it has been proven that over a period of prolonged exposure  they can become resistant to individual chemicals preparations.

Non-chemical herbal and organic  head lice products are based on herbal or plant ingredients. These are often marketed as  ‘natural’. These usually contain  a combinations of  herbs and essential oils in the form of shampoos, lotions or sprays  which claim to eradicate and prevent or repel further infections by head lice by ‘natural’ means.  However, some have ingredients added to either promote foaming, improve the smell or colour, or extend shelf life. These additives may in themselves be a risk to health, or be contraindicated where there is an pre-existing health problem such as asthma, skin problems or epilepsy.

It is possible to buy  botanic or ‘natural’ products based on traditional herbal and plant remedies which claim not to contain any chemicals, artificial colouring or animal derived ingredients. Interestingly, in common with  most other alternative  treatments it is advised that these are used in conjunction with wet combing.  Many health experts while not dismissing alternative treatments out of hand, do not endorse them, mainly on the grounds that to date there has not been any no empirical research to support the claims being made.

For parents who don’t have the time or inclination to get rid of nits themselves or,  who are frustrated because despite their  best efforts the  nasty nits and horrible head lice keep coming back  the solution could lie in a totally  hands off  approach – their own hands that is.  A company called Hairforce provides a unique a unique nit and head lice treatment hand clearing service either on their premises or by home visits. Further more they undertake to make the experience relaxing and enjoyable for both children and parents.

Posted by pam · Tags: get rid of nits, Headlice Treatments · No Comments »

Headlice facts

Posted On March 31, 2009 at 12:08 pm in Headlice, Stock

For many parents head lice are often thought of as public enemy number one. There is however, a lot of nonsense talked about head lice. If you feel your child is at risk of infection it is important to be able to separate the facts from the fiction.

Fact: most children get head lice some stage of their childhood. These days there no longer is any stigma attached to your child becoming infected with the unpleasant , but by no means deadly, head louse.

Fact: getting head lice has nothing to do with hygiene. Head lice aren’t fussy, they are opportunists, equally at home on clean or dirty hair. Head lice are caught, or rather transmitted by head to head contact.

 So what exactly are head lice?

Fact: head lice are tiny greyish- brown insects about 2.5 mm long and they have very unpleasant and extremely irritating, habits. They live on the scalp where they cling to hair and feed on blood.

Fact: nits are not head lice but evidence of them: Head lice are extremely prolific, once mated the female attaches her eggs firmly to the scalp. The baby louse hatches, after about 7 or 8 days and goes off looking for its first meal, leaving its shiny white egg shell attached to the piece of hair.

Fact: you can use a simple equation to find out when infection started. Hair grows on average about 1cm a month; nits found 2 cm from the scalp were laid two months ago.

But where do head lice come from and what cause an outbreak of sometimes epidemic proportions?

Fact: head lice, it seems have been with us for ever and infection is prevalent among children of school age.

Fact: despite being unable to fly or hop head lice are nomadic little blighters, passing from person to person by head to head contact. Children whispering together, or sharing a book at school, or cuddling up with family members in front of the T.V at home provide ideal conditions for transfer.

Fact: you cannot get head lice from , cushions, clothes or furniture, head lice need a live host to survive.

How do I know my child has head lice ?

Fact: bites from head lice cause severe irritation. Persistent scratching, or a rash on the necked are often the first signs – although these symptoms can take weeks to develop.
Fact: the best way of detecting head lice is by routine checking using a specially designed fine toothed nit comb available from any chemist. The nit comb can be used on dry or wet hair. If working on wet hair it is a good idea to apply plenty of conditioner. Before using the nit comb the hair should be brushed or combed using an ordinary comb. Starting from the front of the scalp the nit comb should be worked through the hair from the roots, section by section, checking for head lice and nits after each stroke.

Fact: If you find head lice it is important to check, every member of the family who had recent and close contact with the infected child.

Posted by admin · Tags: Head Lice, Headlice · Comments Off