Lice are parasitic insects which infest and draw blood from the human scalp, often causing discomfort and itching. As adult lice lay eggs, known as nits, in their host’s hair, an infestation can continue indefinitely if left untreated. Luckily, there are a number of home treatments for lice. These treatments include using medicated washes, combing lice and their nits from the hair, and eliminating lice from the home. For many people, prevention is the most successful of all home treatments for lice.
Applying a medicated wash to the hair and scalp is one of the most common home treatments for lice. Versions of these washes are available over the counter and in stronger forms which can be obtained only with a prescription. Many people begin treating lice by applying an over-the-counter wash two to three times. If the lice do not appear to be affected by a wash, they may be resistant to its active ingredients. In this case, a prescription wash may be necessary.
For young children and those sensitive to chemical products, one of the best home treatments for lice is repeatedly using a fine-toothed comb to remove the insects and their nits from the hair. As it is necessary to see the hair and scalp while performing this treatment, it generally must be done by another person. A comb is drawn through wet hair until all visible lice and nits have been removed. To fully banish an infestation, this treatment usually must be repeated every three days for approximately two weeks.
In addition to treating the hair and scalp, another important part of ending a lice infestation is eliminating the insects from the home. Lice are contracted either through direct head-to-head contact with an affected person, or through contact with an object that has recently touched the affected person’s head. Therefore, hats, scarves, clothing, pillowcases, and other easily washable objects which may have met with the affected person’s head should be washed in hot water. Objects that cannot be washed should either be thrown away or sealed in a plastic bag for 12-14 days. As lice cannot survive for very long away from a host’s scalp, sealing them in a bag will cause them to die.
Finally, for many people, prevention is the most successful of all home treatments for lice. Perhaps the best way to prevent lice is to avoid making direct or secondary contact with an affected person’s head. Those sharing a living space with an affected person should check their scalps early and often to catch lice that may have been transferred there before they have a chance to deposit nits.
