It is vital to know how to get rid of lice. The head lice are tiny wingless insects characterized as parasites because of the fact that they thrive on human hairs and they feed on small amounts of blood taken from the scalp. They are not directly dangerous to the health but once they infest, they can get irritating and contagious, especially during the 3^rd and 12^th year of life for both boys and girls. One child can get the infestation to the other just by close contact.
Though very small, head lice are visible to the naked eye. Aside from that visibility, an infestation is suspected once there is persistent itching of the scalp, obvious inflammation of the itchy part. If this is left ignored, the scratching may cause open wound on the head which then lead to skin irritation or worse, infection. It is important to know how to get rid of head lice once a diagnosis has been made in order to catch the disease early for prevention of complications and transmission.

The Cause

There are three types of lice found on the human body – head lice, pubic lice and body lice. Among the three, head lice are the most common. They are called pediculosis in medical terminology. The total head lice life cycle of lice is only thirty days. They start out as nits first then they transform into nymph. After that, they grow into their adult forms which are ready for reproduction. However, if the lice are kept away from the human body, they can only last up to 2 days only. It is important that we should know the causative agent to help us another dimension on how to get rid of lice.

Signs and symptoms

Although minute in appearance, a head lice infestation can be observed directly by the naked eye. The following manifestations can be seen during an examination:

• Adult lice and nymphs (baby lice) – Adult lice are as big as sesame seeds and appear to be grayish or tan in color. On the other hand, nymphs are relatively smaller but can reach adulthood in a matter of 2 weeks after being hatched.
• Nits (eggs of lice) – The nits are laid on shafts of the hair which are near the scalp. This environment gives a perfect temperature for warming the eggs until they are hatched. They appear like brown or tan dots. They hatch after 1 to 2 weeks of being laid.
• Excessive scratching – Itching and scratching are two common mechanical symptoms associated with a head lice infestation brought about by lice bites. The saliva of the insects can cause this. However, the itching may not necessarily have to start immediately. It depends on the sensitivity of the skin of the affected individual. Some affected persons may experience scratching weeks after being infested with the insects.
• Tiny, red bumps resulting from excessive scratching – A rash may develop for those who have sensitive skin or for those who are heavily infected with head lice. Too much scratching may lead the skin to become open which can invite an infection to come in. This may be characterized by crusting and oozing of a fluid in the wound together with swelling of the lymph glands.

Treatment

How to get rid of lice? Getting rid of lice can be done easily. There are topical solutions available in the market today which are effective in getting rid of lice. They are available as shampoos or as topical solutions. There are also natural ways of removing the insects using natural and simple items at home. Furthermore, the lice can be removed mechanically by combing and picking out the eggs and the adult forms.

• Home Remedies – Through simple combing of the hair with the help of a very good lice comb, the nits and the lice can be removed with ease. For better leverage, it is advised to keep the hair soft. For ease in combing, a conditioner or mayonnaise can be applied overnight so that the comb can slide easily the day after.
• Natural Remedy – The kitchen is a good place to look out for organic treatments of head lice. Some of the following are:
• Tea tree oil – Just 15 drops of the solution mixed with hair shampoo is enough to kill the bugs. The new mixture must be applied to the hair and scalp with the entire area covered in a plastic bag for thirty minutes. Rinse it afterwards and the bugs and eggs will be rinsed out, too. It is also important to know how to get rid of lice eggs.
• Butter and Lemon – A mixture of the two is enough for head lice treatment. Apply it for fifteen minutes and rinse it afterwards together with a hair shampoo.
• Mouthwash – Some mouthwashes today are filled with chemicals and ingredients that are also effective in getting rid of head lice. These include essential oils such as eucalyptus, methyl salicylate, thymol, alcohol and menthol. They can also provide a soothing feeling (a remedy for inflammation) if applied and rubbed on the scalp. Natural cures like this can effectively treat the condition.
• Medicated treatment – If the above-mentioned solutions are not enough to get rid of head lice due to the severity of the condition, the doctor may recommend medicated lice treatments laden with chemicals to effectively remove the bugs and prevent them from coming back. Since they have active ingredients, it is advised to follow their directions carefully and to use them with extreme caution in order to avoid problems and complications. They come in many forms. Most commonly, they are available as shampoos, solutions, creams and glues and they are used based on their descriptions and instructions.

Prevention

Head lice can be prevented by simply doing the following:

• Never share combs and other hair products with others
• Refrain from having head-to-head contact with others
• Avoid using beddings and pillows from someone who has lice infection

Head lice infestation has known no boundaries as it affects all ages, particularly children at any socio-economic level. However, it can be treated easily so it is important to know how to get rid of lice. There are actually several kinds of approaches and treatments available in the market today. One just has to choose the right kind which is suitable for the personal needs. Aside from the available measures to treat the disease, it can be prevented also. Just follow the steps and instructions on how to get rid of lice.