The rein of head lice on the surface of Earth has been a rather long one, spreading to organisms other than just humans. Cats, dogs, birds, and even snakes are not safe from these inconveniencing, opportunistic, blood-sucking insects. However, in this article, we will only be referring to human lice and the best head lice treatment.
A little bit of a backstory, head lice originated in 100,000 BC, diverting from their ancestral lice family to rain havoc on those that bear hair or fur over their skin. Also called Pediculus humanus capitis in the binomial nomenclature, these little critters have been recognized as tiny, wingless, parasitic insects that feast on human blood.
A close relative of the head lice is the body lice, which latches onto hairless flesh. Regardless, whether head or body, their main goal is to drink blood and reproduce.
In terms of transmission, the plague of head lice is often found mostly in toddlers and children, normally contracting the lice in playgrounds and parks. Through children, it is then passed onto other members of the house.
Luckily, head lice do not carry any particular diseases, so there are no urgent, life-threatening conditions to be worried about. However, their spread can cause serious issues in a community of closely knit people. Hence, educating ourselves on their anatomy, physiology, and behavior is essential in identifying the best head lice treatment method.
Head Lice and Their Not So Complicated Biology
The life cycle of head lice can be divided into three stages:
- Eggs (also called Nits)
- Nymphs (young)
- Adults
Eggs (Nits):
Regarding appearance, the nits possess a yellowish-white color and resemble the structure of dandruff or hair spray droplets. A single female may lay up to eight nits per day. However, not all will hatch. This mainly has a lot to do with their viability and the position the nits have been laid in.
Nits laid within 6 mm to the scalp are often viable, whereas those laid above that are non-viable; regardless, all nits are laid on the shaft of the hair follicle. The nits generally take up to seven days to hatch into nymphs.
Nymphs (young):
After hatching, the nymphs will remain attached to the hair shaft and attain a dull yellowish appearance. Once the nymphs have completed three metamorphoses, they mature into adults nearly a week after hatching.
Adults:
Adult lice gain a renewed, tan appearance, reinforced with a tough exoskeleton and six legs, each harboring claws. In addition to these physical modifications, adult lice often have a color that resembles the color of the host’s hair; the darker the hair, the darker the lice.
As with most insects, female lice are significantly larger than their male counterparts. In terms of life span, adult lice can live up to 30 days. However, if they are separated from their hosts, they often die after a day or two.
Symptoms of Head Lice
Unlike the nymphs, adult head lice are motile and can often be felt by their hosts as “crawling sensations on the scalp.” This is one of the earlier symptoms of head lice, in addition to itchy scalp and scratching.
A much later stage of head lice presence results in a pink eye and swelling of lymph nodes in the host’s neck. In each of these cases, best head lice treatment is necessary to remove head lice and prevent head lice overpopulation and spread.
Diagnosis Before Resorting to Best Head Lice Treatment
Despite the wide spread domination of head lice across the globe, misdiagnosis is exceptionally common. Hence there are a few steps to be followed to verify the presence of head lice.
Use a fine-toothed louse comb:
Due to their extensive motility and severe hatred for light, adult head lice are often hard to spot on the scalp. Hence, a louse comb can be used to flush out any head lice present in the person’s hair.
In addition to adult head lice, the louse comb can also be used to remove nits and nymphs. Finding nits close to the base of the hair shaft, though it does not verify, could be a sign that the head hosts lice.
In case moving lice are not found, it is best to check the areas behind the ears or are the back of the neck in search of any nits or nymphs.
Normally, the louse comb is the perfect item to flush out all the head lice, and the more often the exercise is repeated, the more chances the head is lice-free. However, there exist a few steps that can be taken to ensure the total removal of head lice altogether.
The Best Head Lice Treatment
In terms of medication, there are two types of best head lice treatments:
- Over-the-counter medication
- Prescription medication
The medication that is used to treat lice infection is called pediculicide. It is advised to strictly follow instructions given on the box and bear warning that a person must not condition the hair after applying the medication, and the hair should not be washed for two days after the medicine is removed.
Once the medication has been applied, pay close attention to the head lice’s behavior. If they seem to move and act slower, do not reapply for medication, as it is only meant to be done if any young adults are found.
How to Prevent Further Spread After the Best Head Lice Treatment
Through best head lice treatment, you can prevent further spread of these lice which can cause a lot of problems.
- Avoid hair to hair contact with people who have contracted head lice.
- Do not share garments that are normally placed on or around the head with other people in the surroundings.
- Wash all clothing in the washing machine at temperatures higher than 53 degrees Celsius, as this kills the head lice, preventing any future need for the best head lice treatment.
- Seal clothes that have been exposed to head lice in a bag for two weeks in direct sunlight, or dry-clean said clothes.
- Vacuum the house on a daily basis, especially during the duration of the medication, as the lice may fall out.
- Lastly, quarantine with your house members to prevent further spreading head lice.
