Head Lice Information:

Head lice are a common problem across the globe, and it is in fact one that is particularly prevalent among school children. This pattern of incidence can be easily explained. A head lice infestation is easily communicable and is a condition in which these tiny, wingless, parasites thrive on your scalp.


A head lice infestation causes intense itching because of an allergic reaction to the saliva that the lice inject when feeding. You may also find itchy red bumps developing on the neck and scalp. Adult lice are easily visible despite their small size, and they tend to be situated towards the back of the neck and behind the ears.


It is also likely that you will notice tiny whitish looking flakes or dots on your scalp and hair, like dandruff, but near impossible to brush or dust off. These are lice eggs or nits.

To treat head lice effectively, it would help to understand how a head lice infestation is picked up or spread. Contrary to popular belief it has nothing to do with hygiene, but is spread through personal contact or through using contaminated objects. It is therefore more easily spread in crowded environments, as in nurseries and schools. A head lice infestation can however be treated quite effectively at home, with over the counter medications or natural methods. Although many people are wary of medicated products for lice, they are actually very effective. On the other hand, Cosmetic shampoos for lice may contain harsh chemicals and perfumes. It is important to keep in mind that no matter what course of treatment you choose to follow, there will be no success if you do not follow through with the treatment meticulously. Self care and precautionary measures are also important to prevent re-infestation. Here are some remedies and tips that can help fight a head lice infestation:

Head Lice Prevention and Treatments:

• Keep in mind that the biggest risk of contagion is through direct contact, but there is little you can do about this. The other source of infection can however be guarded against. Sharing personal items and contaminated articles like head gear, brushes and combs, bed linen and towels should be avoided.
• All clothing and bedding should be washed in hot soapy water and dried on high heat for a minimum of twenty minutes. Brushes and combs should also be allowed to soak for up to five minutes in hot water. Vacuum your house thoroughly to pick up and get rid of any of the parasites.
• Avoid scratching at your scalp despite the intense irritation. Be wary of any lesions or sores that may result from scratching your scalp. If these sores get infected, it poses a greater risk than the head lice infestation itself.

Head Lice Remedies:

• The most effective natural treatment is one that is painstaking, but effective if you wish to avoid using medicated shampoos. This involves the use of a lice comb and tweezers. This needs to be done meticulously to ensure that all the nits and lice are gotten rid of. This needs to be repeated for a few days.
• Most other home remedies are not very effective and have no verifiable benefits. Most work through a smothering action, but this is not an effective approach. Some such remedies would include the use of mayo or Petroleum jelly. The use of dog shampoos is again ill advised as these are again commercial products, which may have the same harsh substances present in other shampoos, which is why it would be wiser to use a product marketed for humans.