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A Guide To Deal With Head Lice In Adolescents and Adults

Can you believe that a small, six-legged insect attaches itself to your hairline or to the nape of your neck and feeds on your blood? 

Introduction

You probably can. At some point or another in life, everyone&rsquo;s been affected by what&rsquo;s known as head lice. In fact, approximately 6-12 million individuals in the United States alone are affected by head lice (pediculosis capitis) annually<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>.

Since they are so small &mdash; roughly the size of a sesame seed &mdash; it&rsquo;s easy to overlook or ignore them at first. You see one and think it&rsquo;s just a minor inconvenience. And, in the blink of an eye, they would prove you wrong. They multiply so rapidly and, somehow, they still manage to be challenging to find, making it harder to put an end to the infestation once it begins.&nbsp;

It is also very hard to pick these eggs because they appear in a variety of colors ranging from white to tan to brown, which makes it difficult to distinguish them from hair debris.

But the major reason is still the numbers. Every day, a female adult louse lays up to 6 eggs right onto the hair shaft, attaching it to your hair with its secretions, while ensuring that those eggs are less than 6 mm away from the scalp so that they have the best chance of hatching.&nbsp;

Within a week, the eggs hatch, and the nymphs come out. It takes the nymph only 3 spurts of rapid growth to become adult lice. Once the nymphs develop into lice, they will feed on your blood 4-5 times every day. Their bites release a substance that prevents clotting. 
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Understanding Head Lice Treatment In Adults

Head lice can survive for around 28 days<a href="#accordion">[4]</a>. They grow in 3 stages: egg, nymph, and adult.

&nbsp;

<h5>1. Egg Or Nit</h5>

Eggs are normally located within 4-6 mm of the scalp and die if they are located farther away.

&nbsp;

<h5>2. Nymph</h5>

Nymphs are somewhat similar to an adult head louse; however, they are considerably smaller (about 1.5 mm). Nymphs mature into adults 9-12 days after hatching.

&nbsp;

<h5>3. Adult Louse</h5>

It just takes 12-14 days for newly born eggs to mature.

&nbsp;

Note: If head lice are not treated, this cycle reoccurs every 3 weeks. 
&nbsp;

When considering head lice treatment, it&rsquo;s important to look for a technique that will help you avoid hair damage while effectively killing all the lice.

&nbsp;

<h5>1. Use An Effective Treatment&nbsp;</h5>

To prevent re-infestation from others, all affected people (especially those living together) must be treated at the same time. In most situations, nits need to be treated again in 7-10 days because, unfortunately, there is no particular treatment that is very effective in removing head lice and nits in one go.

&nbsp;

<h5>2. Soak Hair Care Items&nbsp;</h5>

Hair accessories, including combs, brushes, and clips should be soaked in hot or warm water for nearly 15 minutes to get rid of lice and their eggs.

&nbsp;

<h5>3. Reduce Head-To-Head Contact&nbsp;</h5>

Maintain a safe distance from family members, caretakers, and friends if you have lice or vice versa.

&nbsp;

<h5>4. Check Hair And Scalp Daily&nbsp;</h5>

Check your hair scalp and hairs and remove all nits till the infestation is gone. Do weekly inspections to detect re-infestation. 
&nbsp;

This technique yields greater results if you comb damp hair using a specifically designed nit comb. Lice combs are easily available at drug stores.

A metal nit comb, for instance, is the most effective one. Plastic combs, on the other hand, may not work effectively. The National Pediculosis Association recommends the LiceMeister, a specifically made nit comb<a href="#accordion">[5]</a>. A thick hair conditioner can also be used to help with nit-combing. Dimethicone products work wonderfully, even on curly or thick hair that is difficult to manage.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

You&rsquo;ll need the following items for hair combing:

<ul>
	<li>A tissue box with a plastic bag</li>
	<li>A fine-toothed comb&nbsp;</li>
	<li>A light that can be focused on the head</li>
	<li>Hair clips to secure the sections of hair that have been combed</li>
</ul>

If you&#39;re using dimethicone products instead of insecticidal shampoo, you can comb your hair while the product is still on. Dimethicone is extremely slippery and it will make combing considerably easier.

&nbsp;

Nit-picking is not the same as brushing your hair. Follow these steps to end the infestation effectively:

1. Starting from the scalp or crown of your head, detangle your hair carefully. Insert the louse comb at the root of the hair section as close to the scalp as feasible and draw the comb slowly through the hair.&nbsp;

2. Make sure the comb is tilted so that the curved side of the teeth is facing the head. If the comb snags in knotted hair, it is unlikely to remove nits properly.

3. Comb the section of hair until it seems to be nit-free, then pin it out of the way with a hair clip and move on to the next section.

4. If the hair dries during the combing process, moisten it again with water to prevent pulling and loss of your hair.&nbsp;

5. After you&#39;ve combed all of your hair, properly rinse with water and dry. When completely dry, check the entire head for stray nits and remove them one by one. 
&nbsp;

<h5>IMPORTANT!</h5>

There are 2 aspects of hair combing that you should keep in mind while choosing this option:

1. Cleaning the hair comb is essential. Boil the metal comb for 15 minutes to clean it. An old toothbrush, as well as dental floss, can be used to remove debris from the comb&#39;s teeth.&nbsp; 
Combs and hair clips can also be cleaned with warm soapy water. Once clean, put them in a sealable plastic storage bag, and store in a kitchen freezer overnight. After usage, discard them properly.

2. Cutting hair is an option, not mandatory. If the infestation persists despite multiple treatments or has to be immediately controlled due to health issues, you can cut your hair. However, it is rarely practical.&nbsp;

The combing procedure takes time, but combing means control is more likely to be effective. It should be done every day as long as nits and lice are still present on the head, otherwise, the infestation will last forever. 
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It is necessary that the procedures used to control head lice do not create more health issues than the lice themselves. There are numerous solutions with substances that are effective, inexpensive, and safe for your children, you, and the environment. However, treatment options change with time. Make sure you follow the doctor&rsquo;s directives regarding your treatment.&nbsp;

Remember, head lice and nits are nearly found on the scalp, especially around and behind the ears and around the rear of the head. Occasionally, they can be detected on the eyelashes or brows. You might want to be generous while applying your medicinal treatment to these areas.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	<h5>Over-The-Counter (OTC) Head Treatments</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

An OTC head lice treatment is often in the form of a shampoo. These products can be differentiated based on their active component and the stages of head lice they target. Mostly, OTC head lice treatments do not kill nits in one application and require a second application to eliminate the nymphs once they hatch.

Also, they usually contain Pyrethrins, a compound that is naturally found in Compositae (Asteraceae) family flowers such as chrysanthemums. If your kid is allergic to these flowers, chances are he or she may also be allergic to the pyrethrin-based head lice treatment.&nbsp;

So, make sure you check out the active ingredient and do a test check for any OTC you buy to kill lice:

<ul>
	<li>Read the directions on the treatment label.</li>
	<li>Apply treatment to your scalp and massage the product throughout the hair on your head. Don&rsquo;t test the product on any other part of your body.</li>
	<li>Follow the treatment&#39;s advised directions regarding how much time you should leave the treatment on your hair before you wash it off.</li>
	<li>After washing, use a fine-tooth comb to get rid of dead lice and nits.</li>
	<li>Re-apply the treatment as suggested by the instructions or&nbsp;your healthcare professional.</li>
</ul>

Getting rid of all lice and nits could take up to 3 weeks. It takes numerous treatments to completely eliminate lice and nits from your hair. If one member of your household has head lice, make sure the rest of you are also checked and treated for it, as lice readily transmit from person to person. 
&nbsp;

The key to successfully treating this pest is to completely eliminate nits and lice that survive treatment. If you spot live lice a day after a treatment, then that means the lice are resistant to the medication you used, which is why it is advised that you discuss such issues with your doctor immediately who will change your prescription.

There&rsquo;s also a possibility that you skipped a portion of your hair while applying the treatment. Head lice reside in the hair and travel to the scalp to feed. Therefore, in order to treat head lice effectively, head lice products must be applied to all sections of the hair. Make sure to follow the directions that are given on the package closely. Then comb through the hair again with a fine-tooth head lice comb. This will help in getting rid of not only dead eggs and lice, but also any eggs or lice that are still alive. A combination of medications and comb is definitely better than using just medicine or just comb to deal with the lice.

&nbsp;

Note: All products have the potential to induce responses. Head lice treatment products, especially those taken OTC, are generally only avoided in case of infants. Nevertheless, adolescents and adults need to be careful, too. Consult your pharmacist or medical professional:

<ul>
	<li>If you are expecting or breastfeeding</li>
	<li>If you have allergies, open wounds on the scalp, or asthma 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>
	<h5>Wigs Spread Lice</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

<h5>False!</h5>

Head lice and their eggs (nits) quickly die when isolated from their human host. Adult head lice can survive only for a day or two without feeding, whereas nymphs survive for a few hours only and nits perish after a week. Moreover, the eggs cannot hatch at temperatures lower than that of the human scalp. For these reasons, the risk of head lice transmission via a wig or other hairpiece is extremely low, especially if the wig or hairpiece has not been worn within the last 48 hours by someone actively afflicted with live head lice.

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	<h5>Swimming Spreads Lice</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

<h5>False!</h5>

Data reveals that head lice can persist underwater for several hours, but there are very minimal chances of spreading in a swimming pool or by the water. Head lice cling to human hair and refuse to budge even when submerged in water. Furthermore, the amount of chlorine found in pool water does not kill head lice.

There&rsquo;s one catch, though &ndash; swimming or washing the hair within 1-2 days of treatment reduces the effectiveness of some of the treatments. In that case, consult your healthcare practitioner.

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	<h5>Lice Spread Diseases</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

<h5>False!</h5>

Fortunately, head lice are not categorized as a medical or public health risk factor<a href="#reference">6</a>. There is no proof that head lice spread disease. Head lice can be bothersome because they cause itching and sleep disruption. However, itching and, thereby, excessive scratching, might raise the risk of secondary skin infection.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Conclusion

Finding out that you or your children have head lice can be unpleasant. Head lice spread easily at educational institutions. It also implies that other members of your home may be infected with head lice. Therefore, make sure you follow the treatment as suggested by the directions on the treatment product or from your healthcare professional. Educate your family about head lice to prevent others from acquiring it and spreading it.&nbsp;

Key Points

<ul><li>For thousands of years, people have had head lice.</li><li>Head lice can infect anyone.</li><li>Once a week, use a medicated conditioner and comb technique to help your family to control head lice.</li><li>In most cases, head lice do not transmit disease.</li></ul>

[1] Nutanson I, Steen CJ, Schwartz RA, Janniger CK. Pediculus humanus capitis: an update. Acta dermatovenerologica Alpina, Pannonica, Adriat. 2008 Dec;17(4):147-154,156-157,159.

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