Head Lice

Hair lice is a very serious problem, once the scalp is infected with lice it is difficult to get rid of it. They suck the blood from the scalp and also make and lay eggs which are known as nits. These nits are more difficult to get rid of because they stick to the hair treatment for lice shaft and even when dead they do not come off the hair easily. Lice is dangerous because it is contagious and can spread in the entire family if one person is infected with it.

Contrary to the common belief that people with unhygenic scalp and hair get lice; the truth is that lice prefer a clean scalp. They often get into a head which is clean. So be careful in public places and don’t share your comb with others. There is no prevention for head lice but it makes sense to cover your head while travelling, it will not only protect your hair from lice but also from pollution.

Lice bites cause severe itching and scratching which may lead to red bumps or sores. Treatment for lice is available over the counter in the form of medicated shampoos, creams or lotions. It may take 2 to 3 washes before the lice goes from the head. These medicated treatments kill the lice and nits but the itching may not stop immediately, it can take some time. In some cases lice are resistant to the medication and may survive the medical treatment, it is best to consult your doctor instead of using the same medicine repeatedly. Don’t use more than 1 head lice medication at a time and do not wash hair for 1 or 2 days after taking the treatment. After the treatment is is advisable to use a fine toothed comb to remove the dead lice and nits.