What’s the Treatment for Lice?

Posted by Amos Fred on October 31st, 2019

Head lice infestation is one of the less desirable - and more common - issues that come along with being a child. Because children are naturally more prone to direct contact with one another and to sharing things like hats, scarves, brushes, and combs, head lice is most common during the elementary years. Impacting between 6-12 million families each year, it’s a pesky problem that parents would rather avoid altogether.

However, ignoring or avoiding the problem won’t make it go away. You can’t always prevent your child from getting head lice, but you can employ fast and effective lice treatment if your child does come home with the little stowaways in their hair.

Here are some common approaches for treating lice that are proven effective:

Catch It Quickly

The sooner you start treating lice, the more likely it is that you will be successful in your attempt.

In general, if you see evidence of head lice on your child, treatment should be sought. If you or your child know that you have been in close contact with someone who has head lice, you should be checked for it yourself. If anyone in your home shares a bed with someone being treated for head lice, they should be treated at the same time.

Use a Treatment Specifically Designed for Head Lice

While itching is a side effect of lice infestation, but treating the itch alone will not rid you or your child of lice. Instead, opt for treatments - either over-the-counter or prescription - that are designed to kill and remove head lice. These treatments contain ingredients that are designed to destroy lice and their eggs, as well as disable them from further populating or moving through the hair.

Choose Your Treatment According to Your Needs

There are various treatments available for head lice, both over-the-counter and through your physician. Even over-the-counter options may contain pesticides, so be sure to read labels carefully if you are trying to avoid harsh chemicals.

Some people may feel that the only way to treat head lice is by using pesticides, but many families find success through ingredients like dimethicones. These substances disrupt the ability of the insects to manage water, making them susceptible to being washed out of the hair. In some cases, the use of dimethicones may actually be more effective than pesticide use in treating lice.

Know When to Keep Treating - Or Not

Many people believe that after a single treatment, all evidence of lice and their eggs should be gone from a child’s hair and scalp. This is not the case. However, it is also true that reapplication soon after the initial treatment is not generally recommended.

So, how do you know if your lice treatment option has worked? Experts typically recommend a waiting period of 9-10 days. If after this period passes, you are still experiencing lice activity, it may be time to treat again or to use a stronger treatment. Lice eggs may still be present at this point even after effective treatment, but they generally will not hatch and thrive.

If the idea of remaining lice nits or eggs in your child’s hair disturbs you - as it does many parents - use a manual lice comb to clean your child’s hair and scalp after their chemical treatment. This kind of multi-step approach is the best way to not only kill lice and their eggs but remove the itchy evidence of their presence from your child’s head forever.