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How do you break the lice cycle?

What are lice?

Lice are tiny insects that live on the human scalp and feed on blood. There are three main types of lice that affect humans:

  • Head lice – These lice live and breed in the hair and scalp. They are the most common type of lice.
  • Body lice – These lice live in clothing and bedding and move to the skin to feed. They are less common.
  • Pubic lice – These lice live in pubic hair and are transmitted sexually.

Head lice are the most concerning since they can easily spread between people through close contact. Lice spread when an infected person’s hair touches someone else’s hair. Lice crawl – they cannot jump or fly.

Lice feed on blood and cause itching and discomfort. Scratching the bites can lead to skin irritation and even infection. Lice are not known to transmit disease; the main concern is the itchiness and social stigma associated with lice.

Signs and symptoms of lice

The most common signs and symptoms of head lice include:

  • Itching of the scalp, neck, and ears
  • Tickling feeling that something is moving in the hair
  • Irritability and difficulty sleeping due to the itchiness
  • Small red bumps or sores on the scalp caused by scratching
  • Seeing live lice or eggs (nits) in the hair
  • Scalp rash from lice bites

Lice move quickly and can be hard to spot. The eggs (nits) are easier to see – they look like tiny yellowish, tan, or brown dots that are firmly attached to the hair shaft. They cannot easily be flicked away like dandruff.

The itching associated with lice often does not start until a few weeks after initial infestation. By the time itching starts, there may already be a significant lice infestation.

How are lice transmitted?

Head lice are highly contagious and spread mainly through direct head-to-head contact. Less commonly, they can spread through contact with personal items like:

  • Combs, brushes, hair accessories
  • Hats, helmets, headphones
  • Clothing, towels, bedding

Lice do not jump or fly – they only crawl. This means transmission generally requires prolonged head-to-head contact. Some ways lice spread include:

  • Sleepovers, playdates, sports activities
  • Hugs, leaning heads together
  • Sharing beds, pillows, blankets
  • Trying on clothes or hats

Schools, daycares, and camps are high-risk places since children often have close contact. Lice outbreaks in these settings are common.

While pets do get lice, human lice cannot live long on animal bodies. Pets do not play a role in transmitting lice from person to person.

Who is at risk for head lice?

Lice are equal opportunity pests – they can infest anyone. But some people are at higher risk, including:

  • Children aged 3-12 years old
  • Girls more than boys
  • People who live with or have close contact with someone who has lice
  • People who share combs, hats, helmets, or other personal items

Children tend to get lice more often since they often have close physical contact with other kids and share personal belongings. Girls seem to get lice more than boys, likely due to having longer hair or styles like braids that allow lice to easily spread.

How to check for head lice

Checking for lice involves looking closely through the hair for live lice or eggs (nits). Here are some tips for lice screening:

  • Use a bright light and a magnifying lens
  • Separate hair into sections using hair clips or pins
  • Start from one side of the head and slowly work your way around
  • Look near the scalp, especially at the nape of the neck and behind the ears
  • Live lice move quickly and can be hard to spot
  • Focus on finding nits which appear as tiny tan or grey ovals firmly glued to the hair shaft
  • Check all members of the household if one person is infested

It can take time and patience to thoroughly check for lice – you may need to inspect the hair in sessions over several days.

If you spot live lice or viable nits (within 1 cm from the scalp), treatment should be started. If only a few old nits are seen, it may just be remnants from an old infestation.

How to get rid of head lice – treatment

If lice are detected, there are a few treatment options to eliminate the infestation:

Manual removal

Manual removal involves meticulously combing out lice and nits with a specialized fine-tooth lice comb. This is safe and non-toxic, but extremely time consuming. It can take hours over multiple sessions spanning 2-3 weeks.

All nits must be manually removed to ensure they do not hatch into new lice. This is the main downside – the process must be repeated daily for at least 2 weeks.

Over-the-counter medication

Medicated lice shampoos, rinses, or lotions can kill live lice. Common active ingredients are:

  • Pyrethrins – Derived from chrysanthemum flowers
  • Permethrin – A synthetic pyrethroid
  • Ivermectin – An anti-parasitic medication

The product should be applied thoroughly and left on according to directions, often around 10 minutes.

This will kill live lice, but nits must still be manually removed. A second treatment is recommended 7-10 days later to kill any newly hatched lice.

Prescription medication

A few prescription medications are FDA approved for lice:

  • Ivermectin lotion – Applied to hair and scalp
  • Malathion lotion – Applied to dry hair
  • Benzyl alcohol lotion – Applied to the scalp and hair
  • Spinosad suspension – Applied to dry scalp and hair

These products kill live lice and can also kill some nits. But manual nit removal and combing is still recommended with prescription treatment.

Suffocation

Products like petroleum jelly, olive oil, and hair gels applied heavily to the hair can essentially smother lice. This is not a standalone treatment, but some people find it helps boost other treatments.

The substance is left on overnight with a shower cap and washed out the next day. It can weaken the glue holding nits so they are easier to comb out.

Heat treatment

Heating tools like blow dryers, flat irons, or the specialized LouseBuster device can be used to kill lice and eggs via high heat. Slowly going over small sections of hair should raise it to the required temperature (around 130°F) to kill the lice.

Proper technique is key for effectiveness and preventing damage to the hair or scalp. This method can loosen nits for easier removal as well.

Oral medication

The oral medication ivermectin (Stromectol) may be prescribed in a single dose to help treat lice. It kills some lice, but spares enough to maintain resistance according to experts, so it should not be used alone.

Manual nit removal and other treatments are still required. A second dose may be prescribed after 7-10 days.

Tips for treating head lice:

  • No single product will fully eradicate lice – combination treatment is key
  • Always follow instructions carefully – do not over-apply products
  • Remove all nits to prevent the cycle from repeating
  • Avoid using conditioner before applying lice products
  • Repeat applications if live lice are spotted 7-10 days later
  • Consider cutting hair short or shaving to more easily remove nits
  • Use a fine-tooth lice comb to manually remove nits
  • Check and treat all household members if one person has lice

How to prevent recurring head lice

It can be a frustrating cycle if head lice returns repeatedly after treatment. Here are some tips to help break the lice cycle:

  • Do a second treatment 7-10 days after the first – Any eggs that survived the first round may hatch into new lice, so a follow-up application helps kill them before they mature and lay more eggs.
  • Check for missed nits – Comb daily with a nit comb over the two weeks following treatment to catch any surviving nits, which can restart the infestation if not removed.
  • Prevent reinfestation – Check everyone in the household and make sure no one still has lice before stopping quarantine measures.
  • Treat close contacts – If your child has lice, treat siblings, classmates, and friends that had close contact over the past month.
  • Quarantine belongings – Seal stuffed animals, pillows, clothing, and bedding that came in contact with lice to prevent re-exposure. Store for 2 weeks.
  • Disinfest your home – Machine wash and vacuum furniture, car seats, helmets, etc. to remove stray lice or nits.
  • Be vigilant – Keep checking for reinfestation and retreat if live lice are spotted again.

Consistency is vital. It often takes at least 2-3 weeks of thorough nit removal and combing to fully break the cycle. Don’t get discouraged!

Lice treatment checklist

Here is a summary checklist of steps to treat lice and prevent recurrence:

Treatment Notes
Apply lice killing product thoroughly as directed Medicated shampoo, lotion, mousse; leave on 10+ mins
Comb out lice and nits with nit comb Metal lice comb; comb through sections thoroughly
Remove all nits Pick out each nit with fingernails or nit comb
Repeat treatment in 7-10 days Catches newly hatched lice from surviving eggs
Check household members Treat anyone with evidence of lice
Quarantine personal items Seal clothes, bedding, towels for 2 weeks
Clean your home Vacuum, wash linens and furniture in hot water
Daily combing Comb thoroughly with nit comb every day for 2 weeks
Re-check and re-treat if needed May take 3+ weeks to fully break the cycle

When to see a doctor for lice treatment

See your doctor if:

  • You have tried over-the-counter lice treatments without success
  • The rash and itching continue despite treatment efforts
  • You see signs of skin infection from scratching – redness, swelling, oozing, fever
  • You are pregnant – some lice medications should be avoided
  • Your child is under 2 years old

Prescription medications or an oral medication like ivermectin may be options if OTC treatments fail.

Lice treatment for your home

To avoid reinfestation, the home environment should be thoroughly cleaned:

  • Machine wash all linen, blankets, pillows, and towels in hot water. Dry on high heat.
  • Items that can’t be washed can be bagged for 2 weeks until lice die off.
  • Vacuum all carpeting, furniture, mattresses, and car seats thoroughly.
  • Soak combs, brushes, hair bands and clips in rubbing alcohol or lice killing wash.
  • Clean bathrooms well by disinfecting sinks and tubs.

Pest control sprays are not necessary or recommended. Just focus on thorough vacuuming and washing to remove stray lice or nits.

Lice treatment myths and facts

There are many myths about treating and preventing lice. Here are some common misconceptions:

Myth Fact
Only dirty people get lice Lice can infest anyone, regardless of hygiene.
Lice can jump or fly Lice cannot jump or fly – they only crawl.
Pets help spread lice Human lice do not live well on animal bodies.
Sprays and bombs can kill lice These products are not proven or recommended for lice treatment.
Mayonnaise or oils can smother lice These help loosen nits but do not kill active lice.
Checking classmates prevents spread Only close head-to-head contact allows transmission.
A single treatment kills lice It takes at least 2-3 weeks of combing and nit removal to clear lice.
Lice shampoos prevent reinfestation Medications only work on active lice, not eggs.

The bottom line – be wary of home remedies and always check with your pediatrician about safe, effective treatment options. Consistency is key for both eliminating live lice and removing nits to prevent recurrence.

Conclusion

Getting rid of head lice can be frustrating, but with diligence you can break the cycle. Combination treatments work best by killing live lice and removing nits before they hatch. Manual nit removal is vital and must be repeated daily for at least 2 weeks. Re-treatment and re-combing after 7-10 days catches any newly hatched lice. Take measures to disinfest your home and carefully treat close contacts to avoid repeating the infestation. With consistency and patience, you can beat lice!