Head Louse Removal

Head Louse Removal: Knowing and Understanding the Enemy
By M. A. Fulmar

Head lice, which are also known as pediculosis, are very small, wingless creatures that are about the size of a sesame seed. They have six legs and small claws which live on the human scalp. The color of head lice is usually light brown and though they are a nuisance, they do not threaten a person’s life.

It is not all that easy to treat head lice due to the fact it is not considered a disease and so public health departments as well as the Centers for Disease Control do not keep any regular track of the number of head lice cases. Nevertheless, it is believed that there may be as many as twenty-five million infestations every year in the US alone and children less than twelve years of age may be the most infested.

A Three-Step Process

Head louse removal is basically a three-step process which involves killing the live lice, and checking for as well as removing all the nits by combing or picking them out. One may also note even after head louse removal has been performed, the head lice may develop resistance to pesticides, including pediculidicides.

For head louse removal, it is important that children not share their hats, combs, and hairbrushes and all of the clothing, beddings as well as towels used by an infested person should be washed in hot and soapy water to kill off the lice.

In addition, for head louse removal, daily hair washing as well as nit removal without using insecticidal shampoos may also be helpful and for better head louse removal results, there are also nit combs that may also be used and which are available at the local pharmacist.

Insecticidal shampoos may be used for head louse removal and some of these products may require a physician’s prescription while others are available over the counter and these may contain pyrethrum or permethrin. Normally, two shampoo treatments may be required with the first one to control adults and nymphs already present and the second to be applied ten days later to prevent new and emerging nymphs.

Also, head louse removal in a school, nursing home or similar shared facility would need immediate as well as coordinated action, and also administrative support to eliminate hair lice as well as prevent its spreading to uninfected persons. It is necessary to treat all infected persons and the head louse removal procedure should prevent the spread of the condition to others.

Author Details:
M. A. Fulmar, copywriter for various websites including the health articles on www.naturalcrystaldeodorant.com and www.microdermabrasionskincare.com

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