Nits And Methods To Remove Them From Hair
When one is dealing with a hair lice infection, it is also necessary to deal with nits which are the eggs of adult lice. The eggs are attached to individual strands of hair via a glue like substance secreted by the adult louse and can be very difficult to remove. The eggs are laid by an adult female and will hatch in approximately a week. While a medicated shampoo can be used for lice removal, the eggs will be unaffected. Unless the eggs are removed, the infestation will continue.
A number of methods exist to help remove nits, but the process is often time consuming. The simplest removal method is to use a fine toothed metal comb to go through each strand of hair. Wetting the hair is recommended. A magnifying glass can be useful because it makes seeing the eggs easier. It is crucial that every strand of hair be examined for nits because if only one remains, it will hatch and restart the infection.
After you remove the louse eggs, every article of clothing has to be washed because they might be harboring more eggs or adults. Bleach should be used whenever possible just to be sure that all the eggs and adults have been destroyed. Combs or accessories should also be thoroughly bleached and sealed in a plastic bag for weeks if necessary as they might contain nits as well.
It is a difficult process to remove louse eggs from hair, but there are easier ways of removing them. If the infested person's hair is soaked in white vinegar before removing the eggs, the process will be easy as it will loosen the glue that holds the eggs tightly to the hair. It is of help if the comb is soaked in vinegar before the eggs are removed. If heat is applied to the hair just prior to removing the eggs, the eggs will get loosened.
Before you try an alternative type of treatment, consider it carefully. It may seem wise to use a natural remedy, but many such remedies have not been tested and could have consequences. Mayonnaise is popularly used as an alternate remedy, but it is difficult to remove it from the hair and sometimes it will become rancid. Random treatments are sometimes even lethal.
There are different sources available to help you with an infestation of lice. Doctors and pharmacists can advise you on products for dealing with the louse eggs. Should your child become infected, the on-site school nurse will also have this information.
To successfully deal with a hair lice infection, one must also remember the nits. The eggs become attached to individual strands of hair, stuck to each strand with a glue substance. They can be extremely difficult to remove. Lice removal can be expedited by a medicated shampoo, but the shampoo won't remove the eggs. If the eggs aren't removed, they will hatch after about a week and the cycle of infestation will continue. The simplest removal method is to use a fine toothed metal comb to go through each strand of hair.
Published February 4th, 2008
