Head Lice Treatment

Having head lice is not very dangerous, however, it can be very annoying and really contagious. It’s very common especially on children but lice can infect some adults too. It can be frustrating for parents especially when they are clueless as to how to help their children to be free from lice. Children, mostly girls from 3 to 4 years old, can get infected and this can result to scalp itch, inflammation, irritation and even infection.

You would know that your children have head lice especially if they keep scratching their itchy head, or when you see some rashes on their necks due to lice bites.  You may also see lice about the size of a sesame seed crawling on their scalp but these are very hard to catch because they crawl fast. You will also find nits or lice eggs attached on your child’s hair. If this happens, don’t panic because there are many ways to treat head lice.

Lice shampoo is one of the most common remedies for treating head lice. Sometimes, doctors recommend using a medicated cream rinse or hair lotion to kill the lice. These are readily available in the market or over the counter so you don’t have to worry about having a hard time finding one. Some brands even sell products online then ship it to your doorstep to make it convenient for you. Do not fret if the lice doesn’t go away immediately after treatment because it can take several days before it can completely eradicate the pests and even longer to remove the itch. In addition, be careful not to use the products excessively because remember that these are still pesticides which can be harmful for your child’s hair and skin if not used properly.

You can also use a lice comb to remove the nits, or remove the nits and head lice manually especially if you think that your child is only lightly infected. This should work especially if you are not too comfortable to use anti-lice shampoo on your child’s still sensitive scalp; however, some people are simply grossed out with the insects and would rather use the products. A few days before starting treatment, make sure you also wash and clean your child’s clothes, bed sheets, pillowcases, hats, car seats and other stuff that may have nits or lice on it.

Some parents actually shave their child’s head just so they can get rid of the head lice, but you don’t have to do this to your child and cause anxiety. There are also alternative and natural home remedies that you can try to remove head lice. For example, you can put olive oil, tea tree oil, or even mayonnaise on your child’s hair to kill the lice. Just make sure you rinse it off thoroughly.

Now you know how to treat head lice without panicking but of course it’s also best if you consult your family doctor for their recommended treatment. Having head lice should not be difficult for you and your family and it shouldn’t cause anxiety anymore in your child for having “bugs” on their hair.