Head Lice Control

Eric Ronning

Identification

Head lice are generally less than 1/10 of an inch long, wingless, gray or tan in color, and have little tarsal claws at the end of each leg. Occupied head lice eggs, or nits, are yellowish gray, tan, or brown and can be found glued at the base of hair strands near the scalp. Empty head lice nits are white.

Louse

More Louse

Louse Infestation

The human head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis), as it is referred to singly, is more commonly referred to by its plural name: human head lice. This ectoparasitic insect has been the bane of many a young child's social life. This is actually quite sad seeing as roughly 10 percent of all children end up going through head lice treatment. While head lice infestations show up most commonly in children 3‒10 years of age, adults can suffer their wrath too. Head lice sufferers experience severe itching. While that itching is really the only thing you need to fear from head lice, it's miserable. So, without further ado, I will teach you how to kill head lice so you and/or your chilluns can quit scratching your heads like chimps.

Head Lice Treatments

The head lice comb. Head lice combs are indispensable when it comes to head lice treatments. They differ from regular combs in that the teeth are close enough together to crush a head lice nit. Aside from crushing nits, head lice combs have the added benefit of exposing and herding head lice into areas where they will be easier to pick off. There are even electronic nit combs that let you know when you've trapped a louse. Some of them actually electrocute lice. Sounds kinda scary, but they are completely harmless to people and are reported to work quite well. See the bottom section for full instructions on using hair lice combs.

Pyrethrin and permethrin shampoos. Pyrethrins are natural pediculicides derived from the flowers of chrysanthemums. Permethrins are synthetic versions of the same. The use of shampoos made from these substances is generally the first suggestion given when people ask about how to kill head lice. Many of them can even be purchased over the counter. Look for brands such as Rid, Nix, R & C, or A-200 Pyrinate. Combine shampoo treatment with head lice combing (see bottom).

Lindane shampoos. If you have tried pyrethrin and permethrin shampoos and were not successful, talk to a doctor about using shampoos like Kwell or Bio-Well with Lindane as the active ingredient. As Lindane is more toxic than pyrethrins and permethrins, make sure to try them first.

Head lice remedy lotions. While not used as commonly as shampoos, these head lice products are no less effective. In most cases, head lice lotions are liberally applied to the scalp and hair. Depending on the brand, you may be asked to let them dry naturally or to help the drying process along with a blow dryer. Look for over-the-counter brands like Elimite, Acticin, and Nix Cream Rinse. If something a little more potent is desired, ask a doctor about a prescription for a Malathion treatment like Ovide.

Clean house. Head lice can live up to two days without a blood meal. So I would recommend cleaning surfaces where they might be hanging out, waiting for some poor unsuspecting head. Concentrate on vacuuming upholstered furniture both in the house and in the car, and keeping beds and pillows clean. Wash bedding daily in hot water. Wash head gear daily as well (hats, brushes, combs, etc.). After combing or brushing, soak the implement in a couple cups of really hot water, a few drops of soap, and a splash of ammonia.

Heat and cold. Head lice are adapted to be most comfortable in temperatures where we're most comfortable. If you don't feel like wasting the resources or time on continuously washing clothing, jackets, bedding, and pillows, throw them in the dryer on high heat for 30 minutes. This is a great method for killing head lice and nits. If you don't like the dryer idea, and you have a large freezer or it's really cold outside, put potentially lousey items in a plastic bag and freeze them for 24 hours. This, too, will kill head lice and head lice eggs.

Avoid a future head lice infestation. If you get notified of lice infestations from work or school, check for lice every day. The best places to look for head lice and head lice nits are behind and above the ears and at the nape of the neck. Start showering more often, too (at least twice a day). This will give you a chance to remove head lice before they lay eggs. The hotter the water, the better. Also, never share things your head comes into contact with (hats, combs, pony tail holders, pillows, beds, etc.) and send children to school with a plastic zip bag to store their hats in when not in use.

How to Use Nit and Lice Combs

When learning how to treat head lice, people always run across information on wet combing lice. This is perhaps the most effective head lice cure there is. That is, of course, if you're diligent about it and do it properly. If you are and do, this head louse treatment can be successful even without the use of any pesticides or chemicals. It will take longer without them, but it can be done. Start by getting yourself some good lighting with which to see nits and lice, and get the person you're doing this for something to keep them occupied with like a storybook, coloring book, video game, or movie. This is gonna take awhile.

Wash and rinse hair.
Wash again without rinsing.
Wrap hair in towel for 20 minutes.
Drape a towel over patient's shoulders.
Remove towel and comb hair with a regular comb to remove snarls and suds.
Select a 1" section of hair and pick nits and head lice out as you run your head lice comb through it.
Pin that section of hair out of the way and move on.
Clean nit comb periodically with tissue and put ishy tissues in a bowl of hot detergent water.
Flush contents of bowl when full and put fresh detergent water in as necessary.
Rinse hair thoroughly when done.
Once hair is dry, re-check for head lice and nits.
Clean comb by soaking it in hot water with a splash of ammonia or by boiling if it's metal.
Repeat this process at least once a week until the problem is gone. Continue for two extra weeks after you've seen your last louse or nit.

Natural Remedy for Head Lice

Tea tree oil and head lice. Tea tree oil, a commonly recommended head lice home remedy, is a pediculicide, which basically just means it's a substance that kills head lice. Tea tree shampoos can be purchased, or if you want to save a few bucks, you can make your own. Purchase a bottle of 100 percent tea tree oil and use it to make a 5 percent tea tree oil shampoo with what you've already got in the bathroom. Use this shampoo every day along with regular head lice combing and nit picking.

Neem oil head lice shampoo. Whether you buy it premixed or make your own by adding straight neem oil to your normal shampoo, it makes a very effective natural head lice treatment. This oil works as an insecticidal soap and by disrupting the reproductive cycle of head lice.

Cut your hair. If you can bring yourself to cut your hair or the hair of the person under your care who is suffering from lice, do it. The shorter your hair is, the easier it will be to find and get rid of head lice and nits. Consider shaving it completely. Just make sure to immediately dispose of trimmed hair. Throw it in the trash and take it out right away. If hair can be cut outdoors, do that.