Posts Tagged ‘headlice’

How to Suffocate Head Lice
With so many different methods of eliminating head lice recommended it is difficult to know which will be successful and which won’t, but attention is being drawn more and more to the suffocation methods, which use a very vital part of the louses anatomy and biology to help kill it.
There are many substances used to suffocate head lice, and all are readily available household goods. This explains part of the popularity of the method as it does not need the use of dangerous insecticides and chemicals, and is entirely safe – unless you happen to be a head louse!
While the process itself makes sense the substances used sound rather bizarre: mayonnaise, Vaseline and olive oil are frequently cited as the best at smothering head lice, and the choice is yours as to which to use first. All three, it must be said, will result in a mess, but that is little price to pay if the lice are eliminated.
It works like this: the patient’s head is smothered with the chosen substance – liberally and in full quantity – and it is left on the head for several hours. It works its way into the holes through which the louse breathes, effectively suffocating it on the spot.
It is simple and very straightforward, but is not without problems. One problem is that the louse has breathing holes that it can close, albeit only for a set length of time. The several hours spent waiting are so that this time elapses and the breathing holes are successfully filled. Indeed, this waiting time is another downside, as it severely limits the times at which the treatment can be carried out. Going to bed with a head covered in mayonnaise, no matter how well covered, is not recommended hence it is best carried out during the day.
The major downside is the aforementioned mess, as getting congealed olive oil from the hair involves a serious wash, although it will leave the hair fresh and clean afterwards.
It will also, inevitably, leave some lice as survivors, and it does not necessarily kill the nits, the head louse eggs. This means that repeating the routine again in around a week’s time is absolutely essential if complete eradication is to be achieved, and that another day wasted will be necessary.
Nevertheless, the suffocating method is one that is said to work, and is absolutely and utterly risk free – all good reason to give it a go.

Choosing a Head Lice Lotion
With such a variety to choose from choosing the right head lice lotion for your or your child’s treatment can be time consuming and confusing, and perhaps the best way to get the right information is to look at some of the websites that deal with head lice and have testimonials from people who have successfully used different brands or methods.
However, you are likely to find that there will be two distinct groups of people: those who prefer the insecticide lotions and shampoos prescribed by doctors, and those who opt to use natural or alternative substances for their head lice remedy.
There are arguments for both, and good reasons why you should consider such things carefully before going ahead.
The first thing to remember is that while head lice are potentially embarrassing they are not in any way dangerous; they do not pass on any diseases and they simply go about their daily lives with the worst you can expect being an itchy head. Yes, the thought of them feeding on our blood is gross, but there are many far nastier parasites out there. An infestation of head lice is not something that signifies poor hygiene, either, as up to 12 million children, in America alone, suffer from an infestation every year.
As the danger is nonexistent it is questionable whether using powerful insecticides to combat what is a minor problem makes sense. The three main insecticides used are Malathion, Permethrin and Lindane, and while the first two come with little controversy other than possible minor side effects such as exaggerated irritation of the scalp, the latter is a very controversial substance indeed that has been linked to serious convulsions in patients, and even to possible deaths.
The alternative lotions are those that are made from, or utilize, natural ingredients; Tea Tree oil is very much in vogue, and ylang ylang too, and products using these in their make up – shampoos and lotions both – have been found to be as effective as a Permethrin based lotion in independent trials.
Whether you choose to opt for the medically proven insecticides and have your doctor prescribe one of the safe versions, or whether you are prone to go down the natural route and look at herbal options, the choice is, after all, your own, but many would say that trying something completely safe and without any risk is a more sensible first step, particularly as the condition itself is far from a serious one.

American Academy of Pediatrics head Lice report
In an interesting study that was recently carried out and published, the American Academy of Pediatrics – or AAP – looked closely at the head lice problem, a problem that affects millions of children in America during their lifetimes.
As the report points out at the beginning, head lice infestation can lead to anxiety in the child concerned, although it also points out that this is the very worst that can happen – the head louse, while annoying, is essentially harmless and needs to be eradicated thanks to the hygiene problem they present; easy to spread among children, the AAP report sheds light on just how prevalent the problem is.
Some interesting figures are published in the report, including the fact that an estimated six to 12 million children, between the ages of three and 12 years, suffer from head lice during each year in America alone; these are staggering numbers when considered in the cold light of day, and explain why the problem is one that, although practically harmless, needs to be addressed.
The AAP also take the trouble to point out that lice are not a sign of poor hygiene and, unlike some insects, are not responsible for passing on any other diseases;  there is plenty advice too on the head lice life cycle, its various stages, and why it is important to understand this in order to treat an infestation properly. Indeed, of particular interest is that a louse will not survive for long away from a humans head, and therefore removing them is a very efficient method of elimination.
Also interesting is the explanation as to why it can take several weeks for us to realize we have head lice – the itching is an allergic reaction, and this takes time in some cases to come forth – and also that the life cycle of the creature, from birth to breeding, takes as little as three weeks. This is the reason why these creatures spread at such an alarming rate.
Remedies are covered in some detail, from the many insecticide lotions including Malathion head lice treatment, through to the various natural remedies, some of which have been found to be as effective as the medicinal ones, and also the suffocation methods, while instructions and guidelines for schools and parents are also investigated and outlined.
All in all, it is heartening to see the AAP take an interest and invest so much time and effort into what is an embarrassing, if needlessly so, condition that is suffered by so many.

Head Lice Remedies
Head lice are an enduring problem among children of America, of whom between six and 12 million suffer from infestations of the creatures in any given year. Although head lice are not dangerous they do carry a stigma of embarrassment, even though head lice are not indicative of poor hygiene. Treating head lice and removing them can be a painstaking routine, and there are many different methods of treatment that are recommended on websites and in books on the subject. In general, however, head lice remedies can be bracketed into one of three types: insecticide lotions, herbal and natural shampoos, and smothering techniques, and each of these must be used in conjunction with the traditional or electronic nit comb.
Insecticide lotions are just that, lotions that include powerful chemicals that kill head lice. There are three popular insecticides that can be found in various branded products, namely Malathion, Permethrin and Lindane.
All of these are poisons and, while present only in very small quantities, many people are reluctant to use them as they do profess to possible side effects. In the case of the first two these side effects are minor – irritation of the skin, added dandruff – but in the case of Lindane a number of concerns have been raised as the chemical has been linked to cases in which patients experienced serious reactions and even death. Lindane products are still prescribed in the USA, but it is notable they are banned in some other countries.
The natural alternatives are shampoos that contain herbal products known to have medicinal qualities. Many people swear by shampoos that include the essential Tea Tree oil, taken from the leaves of a plant native to Australia and used by the Aborigines for medicinal purposes for many centuries, and also the ylang ylang essence, which is widely used in herbal remedies. A lotion containing the latter was tested independently and found to be at least as effective as one using Permethrin as its active ingredient, and the natural substances have the advantage of being completely harmless.
The final selection are the suffocation or smothering techniques, and that is precisely what they are: a substance such as olive oil, Vaseline or – rather oddly – mayonnaise is smeared all over the scalp, and this fills the holes that the louse breathes through. The creatures then suffocate, and the substance is washed away.
All have their downsides – the side effects in the first, the untested qualities of the second and the messy nature of the third – and it remains up to the individual to choose the preferred option. Perhaps trying the least risky first makes the most sense.

Tea Tree Oil Head Lice Remedy
There is a school of thought that says head lice – being essentially harmless – need not be treated with anything that carries any substance of a risk, and that the best methods are those that are based on natural products. This belief carries some weight, as although head lice are perceived as an embarrassment and the itching is irritating, they are not dangerous in any way and do not carry other diseases. Treating them with insecticides – some of which do carry inbuilt risks – may seem akin to using a crane to crush a fly.
This is where natural remedies come into play, and in particular the very popular Tea Tree Oil head lice treatment method, one which has its basis in the age old beliefs of an ancient people.
The Tea Tree plant is native to Australia, and the essential oil is distilled from the leaves of the plant, where the native Aborigines are known to have used it for centuries for a variety of medicinal and health orientated uses. Indeed, investigation has shown that Tea Tree oil does have a definite anti-fungal quality, and it is used widely in many different ways as a treatment for certain conditions.
Head lice are believed to be deterred by the presence of the oil, and as such washing with a shampoo that contains Tea Tree oil is both a remedy and prevention, two birds killed with the same stone.
Those who are wary of using such products point to the lack of scientific basis for the success of such natural substances, yet in trials it was found that a shampoo using such natural oils was equally as effective in killing head lice as one of the more commonly prescribed insecticide lotions. Furthermore, reports are being heard of head lice becoming immune to the chemical versions as their systems adapt.
Logic dictates that if something is not dangerous, and simply needs to be removed, doing so with any sort of risk does not make sense, and this is why the natural remedies such as Tea Tree oil and ylang ylang essence, another popular substance, are becoming more widely used. Alternatively one could choose to smother the head in mayonnaise – another harmless yet much messier method of killing head lice – but the cleaner and less troublesome routine of washing in a good herbal shampoo, followed by the essential wet combing to bring out the nits which will not be killed by the oil, may be the preferred method.

Malathion Head Lice Treatment
One of the great controversies of treating a head lice infestation surrounds the use of insecticide lotions and shampoos, with reports of side effects – sometimes quite severe – being off-putting to many. The three main insecticides used – Malathion, Permethrin and Lindane – all have reported problems, and in the case of the latter reports of severe seizures and even fatalities have led to it being removed from use in many countries, although it is still available on prescription in the USA.
Among the three one of the most popular is Malathion, as used in the very widely prescribed Ovide, a lotion that is known to have an effect on head lice and their nymphs when used in many cases. It is a fact, however, that no insecticide will kill all of the well protected nits – the head lice eggs – and these need to be treated with a different method.
Among the known side effects of Malathion are those of a dry scalp, a stinging sensation and a possible increase in dandruff, and the substance should not be used – like all insecticide products – on those who have open wounds or a prior skin condition. It needs to be kept away from the eyes, too, and pregnant women are strongly advised to steer clear of insecticide products.
These minor side effects are acknowledged by the FDA, and the lotions – Ovide among them – are considered safe for use when the instructions are followed.
One thing that should be borne in mind is that Ovide is not recommended for children under the age of six (in fact no insecticide products are) and if the infestation is present on the head of such an infant, and it is very likely, then medical advice should be sought as to what steps to take.
The alternatives are the natural shampoos that abound on the market – many with the very popular Tea Tree oil, a medicinal herbal remedy favored by the Aborigines of Australia, present – and the trusty nit comb, an essential item in any treatment regime. Head lice combs are available in two types, the traditional version with the very close teeth and a newer version that works by administering an electric shock. The shock may be fatal to the lice but is not felt by the patient, being provided by a standard battery.
Using insecticides such as Malathion has been shown to work, yet it is not everybody’s choice to coat the head with poisons; consider your options carefully.

Head Lice Hatching Routine
One of the difficulties involved in treating a head lice infestation comes from not understanding the life cycle of these annoying but oddly fascinating little creatures; diminutive they may be, miniscule even, yet they can cause a lot of trouble in a very short time!
Fortunately the age of the internet has led to us being able to understand the way these creatures live their lives – and feats on our blood – much more readily thanks to the prevalence of highly detailed and illustrated websites that show us exactly what happens, where and when. Summarizing the head lice hatching point is essential to understand where we need to be, and what we need to do, to catch these pesky creatures in order that they do not spread out of control.
The head lice is distinct from the nit – a point many people are unaware of; the former is the living creature, the tiny wingless insect that crawls around in your hair and pierces the skin to suck up blood – while the latter is the egg of the adult, and is by far the most difficult part of the equation to deal with. Indeed, the nits are so small that they may easily be missed with the best of head lice combs, and as such demand attention above and beyond that given to the living creatures.
In any treatment regime – whether using the likes of Malathion or Permethrin head lice treatment, or even the controversial Lindane, or resorting to herbal remedies or the bizarre suffocation by mayonnaise ritual – understanding that there may have been nits missed in the first treatment is essential and understanding the life cycle – and where the hatching point is – is essential.
An adult louse lives for approximately one month, and in that time she lays around 200 nits – around six every day – and the nits remain as eggs, attached to our hair by a very clever natural glue, for about one week. Once hatched they become head lice nymphs, young lice that are rapidly – in one to two weeks – advanced to breeding adults, and the whole episode begins again.
Knowing that we have one week from laying to hatching means we need to keep an eye out for new born nymphs for that period of time after clearing the head of lice, and we then have a further week to get rid of them before they begin laying. This is why regular, thorough examination is the best way to prevent head lice, and why understanding the hatching routine is vital.

Lindane Head Lice Treatment
There are many products on the market that are prescribed to combat the persistent problem of head lice, and among these the most controversial are those that use insecticides. In general there are three main insecticides that are found in head lice lotions, these being Malathion, Permethrin and most controversially of all, Lindane.
Lately there have been concerns raised about the use of Lindane in the field of treating head lice, and scabies, but are there real reasons to be concerned where Lindane head lice treatments are concerned?
The truth is that there have been reports of side effects – quite severe in some cases – in patients using Lindane, yet there are some people who use it successfully. The personal choice as to whether you wish to use a product that is poison based, when there are natural alternatives that many people believe to be just as effective, is one that many people find perplexing, and the FDA has recently issued a set of guidelines and warnings about using Lindane, particularly with regard to certain sets of people.
The rather shocking news is that it has been confirmed that over use of Lindane based products has resulted in serious side effects such as seizures, and in some cases deaths have been reported. There are strict guidelines in place for using Lindane, and these must be followed if the product is to be used safely.
As Lindane is not to be used on babies or children – as they, and those under 110lbs in weight carry a higher risk of seizure than others – its use as treatment for head lice is rapidly declining. Those people who have disorders that induce seizures are advised not to use the substance, and anyone with skin conditions of any kind should avoid it completely.
Furthermore, if you suffer from any condition or take any form of medication you must inform your medical practitioner at the time of diagnosis in order that Lindane products are not prescribed; if you do use Lindane and you begin to feel excessively tired or suffer from dizzy spells, or feel as if the skin is burning or develop a rash, then it is advised that you cease use at once and contact your doctor.
All of this sounds very alarming and sensationalist yet the fact remains that the FDA has issued warnings regarding the use of Lindane shampoos and lotions, and they are worth heeding when considering the apt treatment for your case.

Dealing with a Head Lice Infestation
The problems with head lice are many and one of the main ones is the speed at which they spread. It is a common misconception that head lice fly – they are, in fact, wingless – but they can only move between hosts by walking from hair to hair; this is why they spread very fast among young children – think of the playground and the physical contact.
It is also a myth that a head lice infestation can only occur where the child suffers from less than satisfactory hygiene; a head louse is not choosy about who it lives on, and all it seeks is head from which it can feed upon its staple diet – our blood.
Head lice multiply at an alarming rate: the female adult louse lays up to eight eggs – the famous nits – every day of her thirty day life, and a quick calculation gives you easily over 200 eggs. Each nit stays attached to a hair follicle for approximately one week then hatches as a nymph or young louse. In just a week to two weeks time it becomes a breeding adult, and begins the cycle once more. From that description it is simple to see just how quickly an infestation can spread, and how important it is that it is treated correctly.
Treating head lice is a subject that raises many arguments: there are many insecticide lotions – using Malathion, Permethrin or Lindane in the main – that are available by prescription, and these are widely proven to be successful in many cases, and there are natural shampoos such as those including Tea Tree oil, and essential oil that is used in many herbal medicines, and the choice is a very personal one that is left to the individual.
There also exist some more unusual ways of tackling head lice and nits – including the odd practice of smothering the hair, and the lice, in mayonnaise – that are known to be successful if somewhat messy, and the tried and tested head lice comb is an essential tool in all of this, whether in traditional close toothed form or in the shape of the new style of electric combs that shock the lice to death.
What is important to understand is that the first treatment will almost certainly not rid the head completely of nits, and the patient will need to be closely observed over the next two weeks in order that any emerging head lice nymphs are caught before they can begin to breed.

Permethrin Head Lice Treatment
A head lice infestation presents a very real problem – how to treat it. This problem raises debate across the world as those who favor natural products go head to head with those who choose to use prescribed or over the counter insecticide lotions and shampoos, and there is much to consider when making what is an important decision.
One of the problems pointed to where natural products are concerned, in particular the popular Tea Tree oil shampoos, is that unlike the insecticide versions they are not scientifically tried and tested; this is not to say that they do not work, but that the jury remains undecided as to their natural worth.
As for the insecticide lotions there are three main substances used: Malathion is a popular insecticide, Lindane a very controversial one and Permethrin a substance that is accepted as being among the safest of its family.
The controversy with Lindane has led to its use being banned in some countries, although it is still prescribed in the USA. However, shocking cases of it causing convulsions, and even fatalities, in the young abound, and it has to be said that Permethrin remains the preferred insecticide for head lice treatment.
Permethrin is found in the very popular head lice infestation treatment known as Nix, and this is known to be an effective killer of lice. However, it is important to remember that neither Permethrin nor the other insecticides will kill the nits – the tiny eggs – hence these need to be treated in a different manner, perhaps with the use of a nit comb, persistently and repeatedly, until they are all removed.
One problem that is reported when using insecticide products is resistance to the substance; colonies can develop resistance to the likes of Permethrin, and if lice are not killed within 30 minutes of the application of an insecticide shampoo or lotion then the treatment has failed. The option now is to try a different insecticide lotion, or resort to one of the natural versions or, more wildly, to smother the creatures in mayonnaise or olive oil, a messy but reportedly effective method of treating these tiny mites.
The controversy surrounding insecticide lotions and the use of Permethrin and its related products is one that will rage for ever more; there is no truly, entirely safe insecticide as all are poisons, yet if you follow the terms of use you may find that they present a successful solution; on the other hand your preference may be for natural products – the choice is, after all, yours.