Having recurring head lice infestations can be extremely frustrating. Lice are highly contagious and once you have them, it can be easy for the infestation to keep coming back if proper treatment and prevention methods are not followed. In this article, we will explore some of the most common reasons why some people seem to get lice over and over again.
Not Using an Effective Treatment Method
One of the most common reasons recurring lice infestations happen is because the initial treatment method used was not completely effective. There are a few different treatment options for head lice – some more effective than others.
Over-the-counter chemical shampoos containing pyrethrins or permethrin are often used as a first line of defense against head lice. However, lice resistance to these types of products has been increasing over recent years. If these shampoos are not applied properly or left on long enough, they may not fully eliminate the lice. Any surviving lice can then lay new eggs and restart the infestation.
Prescription chemical treatments like malathion lotion or benzyl alcohol lotion may be more effective than pyrethrins and permethrin at killing resistant head lice. But again, if not applied correctly, a few lice may survive the treatment.
Manual removals using nit combs or other lice removal tools can be effective when done thoroughly over a period of time. However, this method requires diligently combing out all live lice and eggs, which can be a tedious process. It’s easy for some nits or lice to be missed, allowing the infestation to recur.
Not Following All Prevention Steps
Successfully getting rid of head lice requires not only proper treatment but also taking preventative measures to avoid re-infestation. If certain prevention steps are neglected, recurrence of lice is much more likely.
Washing or treating personal items used by the affected person such as clothing, bedding, towels, hats, helmets, hair ties, etc. is important to avoid re-infestation from contaminated items. All washable items should be laundered with hot water then dried on high heat. Items that can’t be washed can be bagged for 2 weeks until any lingering lice or eggs die off.
It’s also essential that other close contacts are checked and treated if needed to prevent spreading lice back and forth. Lice are good at spreading quickly among families, classrooms, sports teams, and other tight-knit groups.
Regular lice screening should be done until infestations have been eliminated from the household or setting. Lice can be difficult to spot, so consistent checks are key. Missing a few stray live bugs can undermine the treatment efforts.
Ongoing prevention habits like avoiding head-to-head contact, not sharing personal items, and tying hair up around others should be practiced even after successful treatment. Keeping vigilant is imperative to prevent another infestation.
Re-Infestation From External Sources
Even when initial treatment and prevention methods are thorough, re-infestation from outside sources is still possible. Head lice are easily transmitted by direct hair-to-hair contact. Shared personal items like helmets, headphones, or hair accessories can also spread lice.
If others in the household, classroom, sports team, etc. still have lice after treatment, the cycle of transmission can continue back and forth. Diligence is required from all affected parties simultaneously in order to stop infestations from circulating.
It only takes one stray louse from an external source to spark another round of infestation. This can be extremely frustrating, as a re-infestation can happen even when you have been doing everything right to eliminate lice from your own environment. Continued coordination with close contacts is critical.
Places like school classrooms, sports locker rooms, summer camps, and childcare centers can make it challenging to completely break the cycle of transmission if lice are spreading there. Ongoing re-infestations may continue until proper control is achieved community-wide.
Not Retreating at the Proper Time
Most lice treatments are only designed to kill live lice, not lice eggs (nits). Eggs can survive after successful treatment and still hatch into new live bugs about 1-2 weeks later.
This is why a second application of most lice products is recommended about 7-10 days after the initial treatment. This helps kill any newly hatched lice before they can reach maturity and start laying more eggs.
If this second application is not done at the proper interval, the lice life cycle may not be fully broken. Any nits that survived the first round can hatch and continue the infestation. Consistently sticking to the follow-up schedule is key for treatment success.
It is also recommended to check for lice again 2-3 weeks after finishing treatment. Sometimes a few stray bugs can still be missed. Spot treating any last lice found can help ensure they don’t spur yet another recurrence.
Household Members Not Treated
Successfully eliminating head lice requires that all members of a household be checked and treated if needed. Lice can spread rapidly between family members who live in close contact. If all individuals are not properly treated, the lice can simply be passed back and forth.
It is especially important that parents/guardians are treated at the same time as children. Parents often have close physical contact with kids by doing things like brushing hair, cuddling, etc. Adult family members can unknowingly re-introduce lice after children have been treated if they have not been checked themselves.
Treatment should be coordinated simultaneously for an entire household. One overlooked person can undermine the efforts and allow lice to work their way through the family all over again.
Ineffective Nit Removal
As mentioned previously, head lice nits (eggs) can be tricky to fully remove. Their small size and adhesive nature makes them easy to miss during combing or washing. Even a few leftover nits can lead to re-infestation.
It takes diligence and patience to successfully nit pick and remove all traces of eggs. This is a vital final step that should not be overlooked or rushed through. Thorough egg removal is just as important as killing live lice for treatment success.
Special lice combs or devices designed to grasp and extract nits may be required for optimal results. Checking from multiple angles under good lighting is also necessary. Getting rid of all visible nits should be the goal after other treatment measures.
Conclusion
Recurring head lice are frustrating but solving the issue is not impossible with concerted effort. Consistently using proper treatment methods proven effective against resistant lice and following through on all prevention steps can finally break the cycle of infestation.
Coordinating diligently with other affected parties and being vigilant for signs of any lingering lice are also key. Do not get discouraged if lice return – identify any gaps in the treatment plan and keep pressing on until full elimination is achieved. With determination and thoroughness, the feeling of “Here we go again!” at the sight of lice can eventually become a thing of the past.
Reasons for Recurring Lice | Prevention Tips |
---|---|
Using an ineffective treatment method initially | Use a proven, reliable treatment and follow instructions precisely |
Neglecting prevention steps after treatment | Launder items, check contacts, screen regularly, maintain hygiene habits |
Re-infestation from external sources | Coordinate diligently with others to treat simultaneously |
Missing the follow-up application window | Closely follow treatment schedule and timeline |
Not checking/treating all household members | Inspect everyone in household at the same time |
Incomplete nit removal | Use a quality lice comb and nit pick thoroughly |
Key Points
- Using an ineffective initial treatment allows lice to survive and repopulate
- Neglecting prevention steps like laundering items allows re-infestation
- Re-infestation from others in contact is hard to control
- Missing follow-up treatment windows allows new bugs to hatch
- Not checking/treating all household members spreads lice back and forth
- Leaving nits behind allows new lice to continue infesting
With diligence and persistence, recurrent head lice can be overcome. Identify any gaps or oversights in your treatment plan and make sure to follow through with each necessary step fully. It may take extra effort if lice are present in your community or surroundings. But continuing to reinforce proper lice elimination protocols at home and with others will help break the cycle for good.