Useful Advice For Treating Head Lice

Unfortunately, treating head lice is not as simple as just applying a lotion. In fact, many parents have tried time and time again to completely eradicate the parasite from their home, only to find that a few weeks later another infestation is trying to take hold. When you’re faced with an infestation, one of the most useful tools you can have is accurate information. This will save you wasting time and money on treatments that just don’t work. If you are trying to put an end to an invasion of these parasites that has taken hold of your house hold, it’s important that you know and understand how these parasites can transmit from host to host.
Treating Head Lice Means Treating Misconceptions

“How does an infestation move from person to person?”

Many wrongly believe that a louse is able to either jump from host to host, like fleas, or can fly, moving to and from hosts like mosquitoes. The truth is these particular parasites lack the capability to do either. They move from host to host via direct (rubbing heads) or indirect (sharing headwear or similar clothes or possessions) contact. Clothes, bedding, brushes, towels, furniture and mattresses can all provide temporary homes for a louse while it awaits a new host. When trying to rid yourself of this kind of parasite problem, make sure you treat the home too.

“How long can a louse live on the host, and when separated from the host?”

A louse can survive for up to 72 hours away from the host. However, these insects are totally reliant on humans for heat and a source of food. Although they may find shelter in bedding, they cannot survive there for long. However, neglecting to treat your home could be the difference between another parasite problem and a parasite free home.

If they manage to stay in contact with the host, an adult louse can live for approximately 30 days. In that time, adults can lay A LOT of eggs, also known as nits. When combating an infestation from these parasitic creatures, you must look for products and methods that will eliminate nits, nymphs (younger insects) as well as the adult insects.

Treating Head Lice at Home

With the right information about the enemy you are facing, you can start to change how you tackle this particular problem.

If you don’t like the idea of using chemical or pesticide based treatments, then look online for alternatives when trying to a solution to the root cause of the problem.

• Temperatures of 125 degrees Fahrenheit for ten minutes or more will be lethal to any louse and its nits. Use your washing machine and tumble-dryer to ‘heat treat’ all bedding, clothing and linen.
• Replace hair accessories; or, if you’re not the ‘throw away’ type, you can soak these accessories in a phenol solution for an hour.
• Vacuum your vehicle’s head rests, as well as the mattresses. Give your home a good vacuum throughout, as children often roll around on the floor when playing.

Treating any infestation is an arduous task, and not a problem that can be solved in five minutes and one application of treatment. It takes a systematic and thorough approach; one that the whole family should be involved in. Be sure to teach your children about how the parasites are transmitted from host to host and how to prevent any future invasions from the blood sucking insects.

By: Nancy B Williams

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Nancy Williams is a regular mom who has helped a number of parents with their head lice problems. For more useful advice on Treating Head Lice, Visit Head Lice Information.