Re: How to get rid of head lice

Head lice are a common, controversial and frustrating problem for parents. And the controversy isn't usually about where they got infected, but instead revolves around how you are going to get rid of the lice. There are a number of ways to get rid of head lice, ranging from chemical treatments to all natural varieties; depending on sensitivity and personal taste, you may want to integrate a combination of treatments.

Symptoms

The main symptom of a head lice infestation is an itchy scalp from the bites of the lice. These bites can then become infected, and may appear red or crusty, and may lead to your child developing swollen lymph glands in his neck.

How do you get head lice

• You catch head lice by having your head alongside the head of someone else who is infected with head lice.
• By sharing combs, brushes, barrettes, towels, hats, wigs, hair bands.
• Lying on carpets, upholstered furniture or bedding that contains lice or nits.

Treating head lice

It can be overwhelming to treat an infestation of lice. Every nit (egg) and every louse must be removed or the cycle can begin again.

• Wash all clothes and bed linens in hot water (130° F/54.4° Celsius) with detergent. Put the clothing in the dryer on the highest heat for at least 20 minutes.
• Dry clean clothing or bed linens that cannot be machine washed.
• Clothing, linens, bean bag chairs or stuffed animals that can't be washed should be secured tightly in a bag and not removed for two weeks.
• Soak all hair items (brushes, combs, barrettes, hair bands, etc.) in rubbing alcohol for one hour.
• Use a special comb called a nit comb to remove all lice and nits.
• To even find the lice you must carefully search, small sections of hair at a time and in good light. The eggs are tiny, somewhat similar to poppy seed but will be almost clear to pale off white in color. You should find them laid no more than about half an inch from the scalp surface attached to hairs.

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