Treatment of human head lice
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There are various methods for treating head lice, developed since ancient Egyptian times when lice first became a problem for humans.
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[edit] Standard treatment
[edit] Shaving the Head
Shaving off all the hair is a viable solution.[1] This can be performed alone using mirrors to see all sides of the head, although it is easier to have someone else help with the procedure. A completely shaven head is necessary, a mere buzz cut is not sufficient.
Shaving the head gives the lice little to grasp to stay attached to the head. In addition to head hair, lice may infest facial hair or eyebrows, and these may also need to be removed for effective treatment.
While effective, some patients may find the hair removal aesthetically unappealing.
[edit] Chemical solutions
Human head lice can be killed by a 1% permethrin or pyrethrin (neurotoxic) or Lindane lice shampoo. As the lice live very close to the scalp, there is no need to coat the entire length of the hair. The hair must be combed with a fine-toothed comb after treatment to remove the nits.
Chemical solutions generally require at least three weeks of treatment.
[edit] Combing
Combing, also called nitpicking, is a particularly effective method for removal of lice without the use of any medicine, special shampoos, or meticulous visual inspections.
A special comb can remove nymphs and adult lice, but not their eggs. Black combs are frequently used to ease visual inspection, but metal combs may be used as well. Plastic combs may become ineffective due to the separation of the teeth after use. Combing takes approximately 10 days to clear the head of lice.
[edit] Fabric cleaning
In addition to removal of lice from the hair, it is common to clean items such as bedding and clothing which the lice may also have infested. The items can be cleaned in hot water. Head lice do not survive in bedding and clothing for more than 24 hours.[2]
[edit] Risks
Resistance to commercially available anti-lice shampoos such as the above is becoming increasingly common. Pesticides like these can be dangerous to humans, and raising pesticide levels can be problematic due to concerns about the current level being toxic. Some studies suggest an elevated risk of childhood acute leukaemia following exposure.[3]
[edit] Alternative treatment
[edit] Natural solutions
Natural solutions permeate the Internet and are also sold in some retail stores. Their effectiveness is not always supported by research studies.[4]
[edit] Neem seed extracts
Shampoos based on Neem seed extracts can also be efficient if used properly.[5]
[edit] Electric combs
One alternative to insecticidal treatments, particularly where resistance is common, is to use an electric comb such as the RobiComb. Alternating teeth carry a high voltage (though the developable current is small, and so the device is safe). Fine combing causes any contact with the lice to result in their electrocution. This allows diligent combing to eradicate an infestation.
[edit] Essential oil shampoos
Another procedure is to shampoo the hair with pure essential oils of two parts tea tree and 1 part peppermint oil. The process is repeated once every two days over a period of eight days.
[edit] Bugbusting
Bugbusting, involves combing wet hair covered with ordinary hair conditioner using special combs: the conditioner immobilises the lice so they can be detected easily. Used properly, this method appears to be as effective in practice as poison; lice cannot develop resistance to it, and it is economical and safe. But the process is tedious, particularly on curly hair, and must be repeated diligently four times over a two week period to cover the full life cycle of the lice.[6]
[edit] Prevention
[edit] Natural oil
Humans' first natural line of defense against head lice is their own natural hair oil. The oil interferes with the louse's ability to cling to hair shafts and lay eggs (which are attached around the hair shaft). Clean hair is therefore more vulnerable to human head lice.[7]
[edit] Hairstyle
Ponytails and tight braids tend to reduce the likelihood of acquiring a head lice infestation among those with long hair. Head lice crawl slowly; they cannot fly or leap. Therefore proximity to people who may be infested is not risky, but one must avoid sharing hats, hooded jackets, and hair decorations.
Lice also have a genetic preference to the shape of hair common in their region of origin; African head lice thrive better with oval hair, North American head lice with round hair.[citation needed]
[edit] References
- ^ [1]
- ^ UC IPM
- ^ recent study
- ^ There is a group of medical facilities that rank treatments. The top three are: Head Lice Cure, Lice Doctor, and Head Lice Remedy
- ^ here
- ^ More information about Bugbusting is available from Community Hygiene Concern, a UK registered charity set up to protect people and pets from parasites.
- ^ [2]
