Posts Tagged ‘lice life cycle’

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 Cetaphil treatment
The methods of treating a head lice infestation range from the obvious – combing with a head lice comb – to the downright ridiculous methods of smothering the creatures with mayonnaise or olive oil; however, the latter methods are recognized as being successful, if very messy, and in the face of insecticide lotions that are subject to reports of lessening impact and, in some cases, quite severe side effects it is no surprise that many people choose to try the more unusual techniques in an effort to get rid of the head lice problem.
One slightly less messy way of pursuing the smothering method is to use Cetaphil, a common cleaner that is not riddled with chemical potions and does the suffocation job as well as anything else, while being easier to control and far less unusual than covering your head in something out of the fridge.
The smothering method of killing head lice works because of the way the lice breathe, which is through a series of miniscule holes all down its body; these holes are filled by the Cetaphil – or other substance – and the louse suffocates. It can then be brushed out of the hair.
By massaging the Cetaphil firmly into the scalp the lice are covered, as that is where they live, and the solution is left in place for a while for the effect to take place. The reason for the wait is due to a complex mechanism by which the louse can close its breathing holes, but it can only do so for a short time. This helps it to survive on our heads when we wash our hair.
Once dried, the Cetaphil needs to be thoroughly washed out of the hair and the hair and scalp wet combed with a special nit comb. The problem with all suffocation techniques, however, is that they will not kill the nits, the tiny eggs that are laid on the base of the hairs and hatch after about a week.
For this reason a further treatment or two, accompanied by vigorous combing, will be necessary to ensure that you have successfully killed and removed all of the nits and the living lice, as any that hatch in the meantime will be caught next time around.
Using Cetaphil is easier than the traditional mayonnaise – some people use Vaseline petroleum jelly for the same effect – and also easier to clean up, and best of all it is absolutely safe with no side effects.

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.

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.

Head Lice Nymphs – an important part of the life cycle
The head lice is an ever present problem across the world, and one that has been with us for millions of years; scientists have discovered that even stone age man would have been prone to these irritating little creatures, and with the benefit of the digital age we are able to examine them in full detail via many websites that carry extremely impressive, and very interesting, pictures of them.
One thing that is helpful when looking to treat a head lice infestation is to understand the life cycle of these miniscule creatures, and it is quite a fascinating one that takes in three stages: the nit, or egg, the head lice nymphs and the adult head lice themselves.
Looking at the sequence it is easy to overlook the importance of the nymphs stage in terms of treatment, as this very brief period can be crucial to successfully treating the problem. Given that the nit remains as such for around one week, and then hatches as a head lice nymph, and that nits are particularly difficult to find and remove it is essential that we understand how long we have between the emergence of the nymph and its development into a fully grown breeding nymph.
In fact, the period is as little as one week, with two weeks being the most, and it is in this period that the patient needs to keep a very careful look out for newly hatched nymphs, and to repeat any treatment routine that may have been used in the first place.
Nits are difficult to remove as they are absolutely minute, and also they are stuck to our hair by a type of adhesive making them very difficult to dislodge, so many people – having safely cleared the head of adult lice – opt to wait for the emergence of the nymph, and to catch it before it reaches breeding age. Nymphs may be tiny, too, but they are big enough to be caught by a nit comb, or electrocuted by one of the newer devices before they can breed, while not even the most powerful Permethrin or Malathion head lice lotions can guarantee to kill every nit that exists.
The knowledge we have gained from careful observation and available information means that head lice have become easier to deal with; natural and prescription treatments are more widely available than ever before, and we are more understanding of what is needed in order to treat head lice at source.

All About Head Lice Nits
In understanding the problem of head lice it is necessary to dispel a few myths and misconceptions; one is that head lice cannot fly – they are wingless creatures as evidenced by the many head lice pictures available on the internet – and perhaps more important is to understand that head lice and head lice nits are two different things.
This is vital in treatment terms as getting rid of either requires a different approach; the lice themselves, the adult walking creatures, are relatively easy to get rid of by using either one of the many insecticide lotions or shampoos, Malathion or Permethrin for instance, available in well known brand such as Ovide, or by using a natural method or lotion, many of which are rather bizarre and somewhat questionable. Nits, however, are absolutely microscopic and may avoid being eliminated by even the strongest of insecticide treatments, meaning that while the lice have all been killed there are living, soon to hatch eggs remaining, and ready to start off a new colony in a matter of days.
One problem with head lice nits is that they are attached to our hair by what amounts to a very strong glue, and they are laid very close to the scalp making them difficult to find; wet combing the hair with a nit comb over a white sheet of paper may help to identify those that you do manage to dislodge – they will appear as tiny white specks – but this does not mean they have all been successfully removed.
A seemingly odd process may help to dislodge the nits from their strong holding, as bathing the head in vinegar has been shown to loosen the attachment to the hair, thanks to the acids present. Once done, and rinsed thoroughly, a further combing with a nit comb may result in a full clear out of all attendant nits.
As some may remain we need to keep a close eye on the patient over the next few days; nits hatch approximately one week after they are laid, and in as little as a further week the young head lice nymphs become breeding adults. This means you have a space of two weeks from the initial treatment over which close attention, and regular inspection, must be kept up in order to clear the head of any future or possible infestation. Nits are the biggest part of the problem, and the most difficult to spot, so such examinations are an integral part of any treatment regime.

How to get rid of Head Lice
The head lice problem is one that affects many millions of people across the world, as these irritating creatures are prevalent across the globe and have been for millions of years. The head louse is a very hardy creature that can be difficult to deal with, although once a routine has been found that appears to be successful the patient can look forward to a louse free existence.
The methods of treatment available differ greatly, but one thing that is always needed is the classic head lice comb: this is a small comb, deeper and shorter than a standard one, that has very closely packed teeth and is designed specifically to drag the lice, and the nits – tiny eggs that are attached to our hairs – from the hair, and whatever alternative method you use there is always the need for a nit comb to play a part.
Further methods involve the use of special medicinal shampoos, and among these one very popular prescription only insecticide shampoo is that known as Ovide; containing the insecticide Malathion in very small quantities, this is a preferred method by many, yet there are those who opt not to coat their children’s hair in chemicals that can have side effects.
The alternative is to use a shampoo that contains a natural substance, and among these Tea Tree oil – an essential oil taken from the tea tree plant native to Australia – is very popular indeed, and many claim it has excellent effect and brings about results.
There are more unusual methods of getting rid of head lice, for a popular head louse treatment method involves smothering them with household products. The head louse breathes through a series of holes on either side of the body, and these can be closed for periods of time to prevent drowning when we wash our hair. However, the louse has to open them at some time, and if we can smother them and prevent them from breathing then they will die.
To do this people use products that may at first seem rather odd – mayonnaise and olive oil are preferred – as these congeal on the lice and prevent it from breathing when it opens the breathing holes. Messy but reportedly successful, a thorough comb through with a nit comb, after a wash of course, is also needed to finalize this effective if unusual treatment regime. Following any treatment, regular inspection is also recommended in order to keep the population from reappearing.

Head Lice Scalp Treatment
Irritation of the scalp is a common indication of the presence of head lice, but it is not the only one. The irritation comes from an allergic reaction to the creatures biting into our scalp and injecting a fluid that prevents the blood from clotting; as not everyone has this same allergic reaction it is not a definitive signifier of the presence of lice, although it is one of the most common.
As the head louse lays its eggs close to the scalp it makes it the place to look for the creatures, and all instructions of how to get rid of head lice will instruct you to carry out regular inspections of the scalp for crawling lice and for nits, tiny white eggs, at the base of the hairs very close to the scalp.
Head lice scalp treatment ranges from the logical to the seemingly absurd, but the main routines involve thoroughly washing the hair and scalp using one of the many special head lice shampoos that populate the market these days. There are two main types of these – the medicinal and the natural – and it is worth considering the benefits of both, and the downsides, too.
In favor of the medicinal, prescription insecticide shampoos and lotions is the fact that they are scientifically tested and proven; they do, however, contain chemicals which are known to have possible side effects that cause irritation to the scalp, and in some cases an increase in dandruff, and many people are put off using them by this. Some lotions with smaller dosed of the insecticide are available over the counter, yet the effectiveness of these is disputed in many quarters.
Kinder to the scalp are the shampoos and lotions that come with natural addictives, particularly the widely used Tea Tree oil versions; this essential oil comes from an Australian plant that has been used for many hundreds of years by the Aborigines for a variety of medicinal routines, and many people swear by its effectiveness. Although harmless, it is not a certified method of deterrent or cure, and as such must be taken at face value by those who use it.
Examining the scalp for head lice is very important in preventing and treating the problem, and a head lice comb is very useful in this respect, too; keep up with regular inspections, particularly if a case is known in the vicinity, and make sure you catch any outbreaks very quickly.

Head Louse Treatment – A World of Choice
Head lice present an annoying problem to many of us over our lifetime, and those that have children will undoubtedly be affected by the creatures at some point. They are very small insects and, therefore, very difficult to detect, yet when diagnosed there are many different, and wildly varied, methods of dealing with them – some which border on the downright odd!
The first method of treatment we have to talk about is the most important – the head lice comb. This is a specially designed comb that is intended to help to remove the lice, and their nits, from the hair: it does so by way of very closely coupled teeth, much closer than a standard comb and tight enough to snag lice, and by having extra depth that can reach right to the root of the hair, where the eggs, the nits, are habitually laid.
The comb must be used with whatever other treatments are chosen, as it is essential in removing any stragglers that may have been left behind; when one considers that an adult female lives for thirty days and lays up to eight nits each day you can see how many eggs there may be and how easy it would be to miss some.
Further to the comb is the use of head lice shampoo, and this comes in two forms – insecticide and natural; the former involves the use of chemicals, such as the Ovide head lice treatment that included the insecticide Malathion, and while these are scientifically proven concoctions it remains so that many people shy away from using them for fear of side effects.
The alternative is shampoos that include natural ingredients, sometimes herbal remedies that are believed to provide relief from the louse problem. Among the most popular is the use of the essential oil from the Tea Tree plant, whose leaves have been distilled for many centuries by the Aborigines to provide the oil, which is regarded as having very strong medicinal properties.
When any of these are used it is essential that the shampoo is followed up by a rinse and a comb through with the nit comb in order to check for any remaining lice.
The final method involves smothering the creatures, and is perhaps the most bizarre: the use of mayonnaise, smeared on the head, or olive oil may sound slightly ridiculous, but these substances at to fill the holes through which the lice breathe, leaving them suffocated and dead. Again, a comb through with the nit comb follows, and whichever method proves successful for you will become apparent.

Head Lice Nits Treatment – What You Should Know
One of the most difficult parts of treating a head lice infestation is getting rid of the nits – the tiny eggs of the adult louse – as the cleverest part of the head louse life is how, and where, these absolutely microscopic eggs are laid.
To get rid of head lice nits’ treatment needs to be taken as very much its own thing, removed from the treatment of the lice themselves as they require a different approach.
The problems come from many sides, with the miniature size of the nits – small enough to be missed by a nit comb in some cases – being one and the fact that they are laid very close to the scalp and attached to the hair by a strong adhesive are others; combined these make removing nits very difficult indeed, yet there are interesting routines that can be carried out to help in the process.
Vinegar is a substance that has many surprising uses, and one of them is in the treatment of head lice nits; the reason is that vinegar is an acid, and the acidic qualities dissolve the glue that attaches the nit to the hair, so washing the hair in vinegar loosens the eggs up and makes them easier to remove.
Once washed, and rinsed, a wet combing with the nit comb should find more than usual, as they will not be attached as firmly to the hair follicles as they once were.
Understanding the head louse life cycle is useful in nit removal, too, and while there are many websites giving detailed information that are worth a visit, we can summarize it here: the adult louse lives for around one month, and in this time lays around six nits every day. The nits remain as such for around one week before they hatch into young nymphs, and in between one and two weeks are fully functioning breeding adults, beginning the cycle once more.
This is why the first routine for treating head lice nits needs to be repeated over the next fortnight, as any nits left behind will still get the chance to hatch. Once hatched, they then have a week before they may begin laying again – and that is the time you have to make sure you have cleared the head entirely of lice and nits.
In this process attention to detail is essential, for regular inspection of the hair and scalp is the best way to make sure that there is no louse activity.