Lice are small parasitic insects that tend to lay eggs on hair follicles of humans and obtain nourishment by feeding on the blood underneath the surrounding skin. Head lice are the most common, although body lice and pubic lice are also relatively common. Proper lice control consists of preventing and treating infestations. This may include lifestyle modifications, hygiene practices, or the use of medicated shampoos designed to kill the lice.
Medicated shampoos are frequently used as a method of lice control, although this type of treatment is a bit controversial. These medicated shampoos typically include chemicals known as pesticides that are designed to kill the lice. Various studies have indicated that these pesticides can be potentially harmful to humans. Some lice have become immune to these chemicals, so many people feel that it is not worth the potential dangers to humans to use these products when they may not even prove to be effective.
There are several types of specially designed lice combs that are generally quite effective tools for lice control. These combs are passed through the hair to catch the lice as well as the eggs, also known as nits. The nits can be difficult to remove from the hair follicles, so applying a lubricant, such as hair conditioner or vinegar, to the hair prior to using the lice comb may make removal easier. The lice retrieved from the comb should be submerged in a bowl of soapy water.
Lice can travel relatively easily from one person to another and may also be found on the clothing, towels, or bedding of an infected person. Once the infected person has been treated, all of these items, including stuffed animals, should be washed and dried using high heat settings. It is not necessary to treat family members who are not infected with lice as a method of lice control because there is no effective prevention method other than treating the infected person so that the lice cannot move to another person.
It is not necessary to treat or check pets for the presence of lice as a lice control method. Human lice are not able to live on animals, and they cannot live for more than two days without a human host. Checking everyone in the home every couple of weeks or so is a good lice control tool. Keeping the house clean and vacuuming often are also good suggestions for lice control.
