Head Lice : Symptoms, Causes and Treatments!

Head lice is one of the most hated parasites on human head. Know more here about symptoms, causes and treatments of head lice.

What are the Symptoms of head lice?

Head lice, if present, on head can feel the crawling sensation. The itching on head due to lice bites on scalp is another commonly known symptom. Itching is mainly near back of ears, on top of head. Nits are small tiny white or pale yellow lice eggs. Those are visible to naked eyes can be removed by nit combs.

What are the Causes of head lice?

Lice doesn't generate on its own in head. It spreads from direct contact of person already having head lice. Also, care should be taken to clear bed pillows, linen and hair combs and other accessorises that come in contact to hair and head.

What are some OTC and Chemical Lice treatment products?

Chemical Lice treatment products available give results that are short lived. They are mainly shampoo which have the activity to wash off lice and nits. They also have fine toothed "nit-picking" combs in their packages. The rough combing is tedious and also hurts. However, lice have developed resistance to these chemicals. Lice treatment if done with lice treatment oils, can be proved beneficial as one can get rid of head lice from the roots.

Many OTC medications are made form chemical compounds that is toxic to lice, can be a problem for human scalp too. Those are mainly Permethrin and Pyrethrin with additives Side-effects can be redness on scalp, itching etc.

What are the best Natural lice treatment methods?

Essential oils to get rid of lice

Studies show that proper use of essential oils in required quantities can help get rid of head lice. Neem oil, tea tree oil and coconut oil are widely used lice eliminator oils. When blended in adequate quantities can kill lice and nits both. Olive oil and anise oil also have lice repelling properties.

Wet-combing lice treatment

Nit-combing is what this is known as. The procedure is rough combing of wet hair with fine-toothed comb until all the lice and nits is gone. This activity is done twice or thrice a week.

Smothering agents for head lice cure

A number of household products are used for head lice treatments. The main reason is these product suffocate head lice and cover the nits to be easily thrown out by washing with warm water. Mayonnaise, unprocessed butter and Petroleum jelly are known examples of these.

Dehydration head lice treatment

This is a different kind of treatment. It is blowing hot air in hair and dehydrating the head lice. It kills head lice and nits by drying them through dehydration.