Nits: How To Best Remove Them
To get rid of hair lice, the nits which are eggs of the adult lice need to be removed as well. A lice removal shampoo will do away with the adults but is ineffective on the eggs. These eggs bond like glue to the hair shaft as a result of the substance excreted by the female adult. They usually hatch in about one week. They are very difficult to remove but unless removed, the lice 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.
There are a few methods that can make the removal of louse eggs from one's hair easier, since it can be a very trying process. One such way involves soaking the infected hair in white vinegar before attempting to remove the eggs: this loosens the biological glue adhering the eggs to the hair, allowing for easier removal. Similarly, soaking the comb in vinegar prior to use can be a great help. A second method involves the application of heat to the hair immediately prior to attempts to remove the eggs.
Think before attempting an alternative form of treatment. While it may seem safer to use natural remedies, many of these have not been tested and may have unintended consequences. One popular alternate remedy mayonnaise is very difficult to remove from hair and will often end up turning rancid. Some alternative treatments could even be potentially 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 that are lice eggs. 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. Wetting the hair is recommended. A magnifying glass can be useful.
Published February 4th, 2008