Lice Infestation Health Article

Head lice

Most authorities believe that head lice should be treated immediately upon discovery. Before beginning any treatment:

• Test a small scalp section for allergic reactions to the medication
• A vinegar rinse helps loosen nits
• Wash hair with regular shampoo

Treatments for applying to the scalp and hair include:

• Olive oil or petroleum ointment to smother the lice. Cover the head with a shower cap, four to six hours per day for three to four days
• Olive oil (three parts) and essential oil of lavender (one part)
• Herbal shampoos or pomades
• A mixture of paw paw, thymol, and tea tree oil
• A combination of coconut oil, anise, and ylang ylang
• Other mixtures of essential oils
• RID Pure Alternative, a nontoxic, hypoallergenic, dye and fragrance-free product
• A spray containing phenethyl propionate, cedar oil, peppermint oil, and sodium lauryl sulfate (LiceFreee)
• Cocamide DEA (a lathering agent), triethanolamine (a local irritant), and disodium EDTA (a chelator), (SafeTek) is both a nontoxic pediculicide and a conditioner for combing out lice and nits

Cutting the hair or shaving the head may be effective. Aromatherapies also are available. Infested eyelashes and eyebrows should be treated with petroleum jelly for several days and the nits should be plucked off with tweezers or fingernails.

Body lice

Treatment for body lice is a thorough washing of the entire body and replacing infected clothing. Clothing and bedding should be washed at 140°F (60°C) and dried at high temperature, or dry-cleaned.

Pubic lice

A common herbal treatment for pubic lice consists of:

• Oil of pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), 25%
• Oil of garlic (Allium sativum), 25%
• Distilled water, 50%

The mixture is applied to the pubic hair once a day for three days. Anyone with pubic lice should be tested for other sexually transmitted diseases.

Nit Removal

Neither alternative nor allopathic treatments will kill all lice nits. Hair and pubic lice nits must be removed manually to prevent re-infestation as the eggs hatch. Manual removal alone may effectively treat a lice infestation.

Before removing nits, one of the following procedures may be used:

• 50% vinegar rinse to loosen the nits
• wiping individual locks of hair from base to tip with a cloth soaked in vinegar
• 8% formic acid solution applied to the hair for 10 minutes, rinsed out, and towel-dried
• catching live lice with a comb, tweezers, fingernails, or by sticking them with double-sided tape
• enzymatic lice-egg remover

Furthermore:

• Hair should be clean, damp, and untangled
• Hair conditioner should not be used on hair treated allopathically
• Remove clothing and place a towel between the hair and shoulders
• Divide hair into square-inch (six sq.-cm.) sections. Clips or elastics can be used to divide long hair

Nits are manually removed with:

• Any fine-toothed comb, including pet flea combs
• A specialized nit comb (LiceMeister, LiceOut)
• A battery-powered vibrating or anti-static comb
• Tweezers
• Baby safety scissors
• Fingernails

To comb out nits:

• Comb along each hair section from scalp to tip
• Between each passing, dip the comb in water and wipe with a paper towel to remove lice and nits
• Hold the comb to the light to be sure it is clean
• If necessary, clean comb with a tooth or fingernail brush or dental floss
• Work under a good light, with a magnifying glass if necessary
• Do not rush. Long, thick hair may take an hour to comb out thoroughly
• Wash towels and clothing after combing
• Repeat at least twice a week for at least two weeks

Re-infestation

Re-infestation occurs often with all types of lice dueto:

• Ineffective or incomplete treatment
• Chemical-resistant lice
• Failure to remove live nits
• Failure to treat all infected household members, playmates, or partners
• Failure to remove nits from clothing, bedding, towels, or other items
• Re-infestation from another source

Re-infestation with body or pubic lice can be prevented by washing underclothes, sleepwear, bedding, and towels in hot, soapy water and drying with high heat for at least 20 minutes. Clothing infected with body lice should be ironed under high heat. Sexual partners should be treated for public lice simultaneously and should reexamine themselves for several days.

To prevent head lice re-infestation:

• Repeat lice checks and nit removal daily until none are found
• Notify school, camp, or daycare, and parents of playmates
• Check and if necessary treat household members, playmates, schoolmates, school or daycare staff, and others in close contact with an infestation
• Treat combs and brushes with rubbing alcohol, Lysol, or soapy water above 130°F (54°C)
• Wash all bedding, clothing, headgear, scarves, and coats with soapy water at 130°F (54°C) and dry with high heat for at least 20 minutes
• Wash or vacuum stuffed animals and other toys
• Vacuum all helmets, carpets, rugs, mattresses, pillows, upholstery, and car seats
• Remove the vacuum cleaner bag after use, seal in a plastic bag, and place in the outside garbage
• Non-washable items should be dry cleaned or sealed in a plastic bag for up to four weeks
• Lice pesticide sprays for inanimate objects are toxic and are not recommended
• Repeat treatment if necessary