Nits - Guide To Nits-free Hair
When talking about treating head lice, we cannot avoid dealing about the nits. Head lice are tiny grayish parasite which could be recognized on the scalp. These parasites are in motion even though they are tiny, can easily be seen. On the other hand, a nit is more tiny and cannot be easily noticed. It is a very much vital element to be familiar with the nits in lice treatment.
Nits are the eggs of the louse which attach firmly to the hair shafts, usually near the scalp. They will look like tiny grains of rice and cannot be removed by routine brushing or combing. Unlike lice, they do not move around or cause itching, so they must be searched for and eliminated. If a single one remains, recurrent infestation is possible.
The simplest means of removal is the use of a special very fine toothed nit comb. The teeth are so small and close together that any nits are scraped off. After using a shampoo or solution to kill all of the live lice, every strand of hair must be searched and any nit removed. Some lice treatments will kill these eggs, but many do not. Never skip this step.
Lice are easy to kill, and even non-toxic home remedies like petroleum jelly will work. Nits must be removed of manually since most treatments kill lice only. Once they have been removed, they must be disposed of carefully since they can live for days. Rinse them down the drain or flush them rather than throwing them in the trash so they cannot hatch out later and cause a recurrence.
A nit that happens to fall off into your bed linens, your furnishings, your garments, or your child's plush toys can lay its eggs there. The house must be vacuumed throughout and all possible items washed and dried. Steam cleaning can also be useful. Whatever you cannot clean must be wrapped in a closed sack for approximately 21 days.
Keep checking your child's hair and scalp for a few weeks following initial treatment. This is because nits can live through the various treatments that were taken to kill the lice. Check the entire head carefully to make sure none are left. They can be difficult to see. Even one remaining in the hair can cause a recurrence.
Whenever we talk about treating head lice, sooner or later the subject of nits is sure to come up. They are the eggs of the louse, which attach firmly to the hair shafts, usually near the scalp. The most convenient way to remove them from hair is by using a fine-toothed special comb, after using a shampoo that can kill them. Not every lice treatment works though. Even after trying the home remedies of mayo or petroleum jelly the nit or egg may not die. For several weeks after treating for lice, the head should be closely inspected.
Published February 22nd, 2008