If this is your first time encountering a lice infestation, it is possible that you may miss the early symptoms of lice. You might be facing a full-blown infestation by the time you know it. Constant scratching and itching is one of the trademark symptoms of nits and lice. The itchy feeling is due to the saliva residue left by the lice after feeding themselves from the scalp blood of the host. To avoid and cure nits and lice, here are some quick tips you need to take note of:
If you found even one of these pests, make sure to kill it to prevent it from laying eggs. If you let it loose, you are giving it an opportunity to increase its population by laying eggs. This will be harder for you to treat as time goes by. Female lice can lay up to 6 to 8 eggs per day and can survive for an average of 30 days. These eggs, or nits, may not be hard to find, since they are not moving and are just stuck to the hair shaft waiting to be hatched.
Adult lice can be compared to a sesame seed in terms of size and color. These parasites have six legs and tiny claws that can help them cling onto the hair. The warmth of a human host is exactly what they need and, of course, a constant supply of food - blood. If these pests accidentally fall off the head of the host, they will eventually die after 24 to 48 hours.
To avoid getting infested with head lice, make sure not to share your personal items with other people, particularly the things that are being used on the head and neck - brushes, combs, hair accessories, scarves, hats, etc. Children are more susceptible to a lice infestation, due to the fact that they often come in contact with other children while playing.
There are various shampoo and cream treatments available to treat the symptoms of lice. Most of these can be bought over-the-counter or by prescription. But, most people avoid using these products as a treatment. This is because they often contain chemical ingredients that may be harmful, especially to children who have a sensitive scalp. Aside from that, various researches have shown that head lice are now resistant to the chemicals in these products. So, they may not be very effective at all.
However, home remedies can be a good alternative. These home remedies often include essential oils such as lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, tea tree oil, oil of neem, coconut oil and olive oil. Aside from these, you may also use butter, Vaseline, petroleum jelly or mayonnaise to treat the symptoms of lice. White vinegar, lime juice and onion juice can be of huge help, as well. If you do not trust even these home remedies when it comes to treating the symptoms of lice in your children, you should ask your physician for advice. Doctors can sometimes provide you with the best and safest treatment options when it comes to a lice infestation cure for your children.
