Parents of young children often use preparations for lice and nits, because head lice is a common problem, especially in schools, kindergartens and nurseries. Preparations for lice and nits remove and even prevent the transmission of parasites. Which preparations and what methods of fighting head lice are the most effective?
There are many preparations for lice and nits on the market - no wonder: lice are parasites that occur all over the world. So far, it has not been possible to eliminate this problem completely, fortunately, effective preparations for lice and nits have been invented, which eliminate it temporarily.
Although lice is associated with dirt, it has nothing to do with a lack of hygiene. Almost every educational institution notices epidemics even several times during the school year, despite the fact that it is properly managed and despite the fact that the children attending it are well-groomed and clean. That is why preparations for lice and nits should be in the stick of every parent.
Where does this spread of head lice come from? Simply put: lice like large clusters of people, especially small children, who touch each other, lean over a shared toy, put them on a carpet or couch, leaving parasites or their eggs on them. But lice can also spread from person to person in a crowded tram, in a cinema, in a shop, or wherever we have contact with other people.
How to fight head lice?
Fortunately, these days the problem of head lice is easy to solve. There are many preparations on the market, they can be used preventively, reducing the risk of transferring parasites to a he althy scalp and those that effectively eliminate both lice and nits, i.e. eggs laid by female parasites.
This is important because getting rid of the lice and leaving the nits in the hair would not work - new individuals would hatch in a few days.
Preparations preventing head lice
They can be used, for example, in situations where an epidemic is announced in the kindergarten, but our child does not yet have symptoms of head lice. The preparations prevent lice from nesting in the hair and laying eggs because they create a protective filter on them.
They usually contain oily substances and substances that create a hostile environment for parasites. These are natural aromatic oils, such as tea, lavender, lemon oils,rosemary or Indian honey. They have an insecticidal and repellent effect.
Preparations preventing head lice are sprays that are sprayed on the hair (but also hats or other items of clothing) or shampoos that are used to prophylactically wash the head several times a week. There are also hair bands for girls that are soaked in lice-repellent oils.
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Preparations for lice and nits
Over the centuries, many natural methods of eliminating lice have been found, such as rubbing cosmetic kerosene or vinegar into the scalp. In the 20th century, however, the component DDT was discovered, i.e. dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane - a powerful insecticide, used mainly in tropical regions to kill malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Due to its toxicity and because insects (including lice) became resistant to its effects, DDT has been phased out.
Currently, dimethicone is the most common ingredient in preparations for lice and nits. It is a kind of safe, even for the youngest children, silicone oil that has a mechanical effect on parasites: it prevents lice and nits from breathing, which leads to suffocation.
Many companies develop their own ingredients with double or triple action on its basis, which, apart from paralyzing the respiratory system of lice, also loosen their shell, causing water loss and dehydration of the parasite, dissolving substances that keep the nits on the hair or inhibit the growth of nits. The effectiveness of dimethicone is very high.
Pharmacies also offer herbal preparations for lice and nits, e.g. from the herb delphinium or made of natural substances. These include the aforementioned oils, e.g. tea oil or Indian honey oil, which have an insecticidal effect, or andiroba oil, which has a bitter taste, intolerant to parasites.
Their effectiveness is lower, although many people prefer them to preparations containing chemical substances, because they also soothe, for example, irritation caused by itching.
How to use preparations against lice and nits?
Preparations for lice and nits can be in the form of shampoos or lotions, foams, compresses or gels, which are applied to the scalp and then rinsed. Before using them, it is worth reading the manufacturer's recommendations carefully, because most of the preparations should be left on the scalp for a specific time - from 15 to 60 minutes.
To make this task easier, you can put a cap on your hair after applying the liquid. It should also be remembered that in order to prevent the recurrence of head lice and eliminate all nits, the treatment should be repeated afterseveral days.
After washing off the anti-lice preparation, it is necessary to comb the hair. It is an essential element in the fight against head lice, allowing the removal of dead parasites and nits from the hair. To do this, take a very thick comb (often included with the preparation) and comb your hair thoroughly, starting from the scalp and paying special attention to the hairline behind the ears - this is where lice and nits are most often found.
Combs for removing lice and nits
If a comb is not included with the lice preparation, you need to buy it yourself. The main thing is that it should be thick and easy to clean and disinfect. When looking for it, you can also come across special electric combs (with or without batteries - operating on the principle of electrostatic friction), which are an alternative to shampoos and lotions against lice and nits.
Their operation is based on the generation of a small electric voltage during brushing, paralyzing insects. Some combs have specially shaped teeth, which additionally destroy the parasites mechanically, tearing apart the eggs and larvae.
About the author
Małgorzata Wójcik The editor in charge of the website. Journalist with 25 years of experience. From the beginning, she was associated with the subject of children and he alth - she worked, among others. in the magazine "M jak mama". At mjakmama.pl, she specializes in pregnancy and childbirth. Privately - mother of three adolescent children. He is eager to read and walks in the woods with his dog.
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