Head lice are natural parasites that live on the scalp of humans as well as on chimpanzees. These flightless, blood-sucking parasites are contagious and can easily infect others through direct contact if the person uses or wears clothing worn by someone who is infected. They are also extremely difficult to get rid of because the eggs (or nits) they lay are glued to the base of hair follicles.

Because of the choice of area that lice prefer to inhabit, treatment for lice has always been a constant challenge.  In fact, several years ago, many lice remedies were created but most of them have been found to cause more damage than the lice themselves. Nowadays, people are resorting to natural head lice treatments to address head lice infestation. Here are some of the reasons why.

Health reasons

Many of the lice treatment shampoos include pesticides in their ingredients to kill lice. Although they may be effective, some of these chemicals have been associated with a significant number of cancer cases, blood and liver disorders and even nervous and immune system conditions. This may be because of two things. First, the scalp is capable of high rates of absorption, which means that chemicals applied on the hair and scalp have a greater chance of being absorbed than chemicals applied on any other part of the skin. Second, pesticides often make use of toxins to immobilize and get rid of pests. If the same ingredients are used in lice treatment shampoos, then the same toxins get absorbed by the body.

In contrast, natural head lice treatments do not make use of dangerous chemicals, so they do not involve the same health risks as lice treatments shampoos. However, caution is still advised in taking or using natural head lice treatments. Some natural lice remedies can still be allergenic to some people.

In the case of head lice treatment, more expensive does not always mean more effective. Lice treatment shampoos and medications can cost you hundreds of dollars, especially if infestation keeps reoccurring. On the other hand, most natural head lice treatments will cost only a small fraction of what you would normally spend on shampoos. Some could even be free. That’s because most of the materials you would use in natural treatment for lice can be found at home or are considered regular household ingredients and materials. Not only are they significantly less expensive, they are easier to procure as well.

Effectiveness

This can be measured in several ways. First, if success means eliminating the adults, then most natural head lice treatments work as well as lice treatment shampoos. However, if the measure of success is the elimination of the nits or eggs, then natural head lice treatments might be more effective.

Since medication and shampoos work by paralyzing the lice, they don’t have that much effect on the nits which are already immobile in the first place. The natural head lice treatments however, rely on more mechanical approaches like sifting/sieving and smothering. These methods directly affect both the adults and the eggs, thereby making them more effective.

General Head Lice Prevention Methods

Lice infestation is a common problem among school-aged children. You will know when your kids are suffering from it when you see them constantly scratching their heads or when you notice scalp rashes. Parents often take action because head lice cause disruptions in the sleep patterns of children as well as their other activities. Because this is highly contagious, you have to take appropriate actions once you see the first symptoms appear. Here is the proven head lice prevention that you can do at home.

Avoid Sharing your Personal Belongings

A head lice prevention technique that you have to observe is to avoid sharing your personal belongings with people infested with the parasite. Hairbrushes and accessories like caps and towels should be your own personal property. Each of your family members must have their own piece. If your children have the problem, tell them to separate their belongings from yours. If possible, separate your infected childrens bedding from yours too. If your children share the same room, treat them all for the infection.

Watch out for Crowded Areas

Crowded areas like parks and schools are risky sites for acquiring the infection. For head lice prevention, ask the school nurse about students that have the infection. Even a single child can cause a widespread problem. If you see one child with it, report it immediately to authorities. Lice treatment lies on prompt diagnosis.

Wash Clothing and Bedding Well

Head lice prevention can be done by washing your children’s clothing and beddings in hot water. The increased temperatures kill lice instantly. Aside from the water, the detergent affects them. Once you see them scratching their head, change their beddings and soak them in hot water. Include all clothes worn in the past weeks to accomplish complete lice removal. You can also use a dryer to increase lice removal.

Clean the House Well

Cleaning your house, like vacuuming and the use of bactericidal agents, helps achieve your goal in head lice prevention. Pay particular attention to resting places like the couch, carpets and chairs. Vacuum these parts well and wash them if possible.

Improve your Personal Hygiene

Another head lice prevention method is through improving your personal hygiene. Wash your hair with shampoo and massage the scalp slightly.  Dry it well and comb your hair with a regular brush. After drying, use a nit comb to catch possible lice. Place the nits in a solution of hot soapy water or vinegar to kill lice.

Use Home Remedies

If bug infestations have occurred, start the treatment as soon as possible to prevent it from spreading further. Use chemically formulated shampoos specific for lice remedies.

Check the Whole Family

Since the bugs are familial problems, check each person in the house for possible infestation. Start with the children, their roommates then the adults.

Lice do not choose their victim. Although it is more common among children, adults are not exempt from them. Head lice prevention is the key to reducing the risk of infection. By following these easy steps, you can free your kids and even yourself from the irritating bugs.

Head lice infestation is a societal problem. Although it often involves mostly children, the problem can affect the whole society. An infected individual can infect two or more people during the infection, and the two can again infect another two or more individuals. The infection goes on and on unless you start lice treatment. Because children and adults alike are susceptible to it, the whole community must take part in taking appropriate action to kill lice. If one person becomes uncooperative, then the lice remedies will become futile. Better head lice prevention will happen if you see combined efforts among the people. Here are the indispensable people needed to make lice removal possible.

Individual

Head lice prevention should always start from the person himself. Because lice remedies start with a good personal hygiene, you have to start the procedure with yourself. Practice taking a bath everyday and use nit comb at least once a week when you see someone in your household infected with lice. Avoid sharing your personal hygienic materials, like hairbrush and towels. If you share these items with others, the likelihood of spreading the bugs is higher. Therefore, lice removal becomes more difficult. In any infection, nothing beats excellent personal hygiene.

Family

Family effort is important in killing lice. The whole family, including all children and adults, must practice head lice prevention. Although children are the common victims, adults can suffer the same problem. Even just one child in the family can cause a widespread infection. Once you notice the first signs of the problem, inspect the heads of all members of the family. Most likely, more than one member is suffering from it. Wash the bedding’s in hot soapy water. Clean the most common resting areas, like the bed and couch. Vacuum the carpets, rugs and the couches. If you see the bugs, use a vinegar solution or hot soapy water to kill the lice.

Society

For lice removal, you will also need the cooperation of the whole community to be successful. Head lice prevention is only effective if it becomes a collective effort of the society. The most common sites considered as bug farms are the schools. Because of the contact of children with their playmates, they can easily transfer the lice to them. The key to reduce the risk of spreading the infection is by reporting a child with the problem. You can notify the school nurse about it for them take necessary actions. All parents must be cooperative in the case that their child has lice. In some

Head lice prevention involves a community effort. It starts from the individual, extends to the family and entails the cooperation of the whole community. If one of these becomes uncooperative, the steps you take can become useless since the lice will attack again. However, if every sector participates well and understands the need to stop the spread, you can win the battle against these pestering bugs.