Is It Head Lice?
Is It
Head Lice?
If you’re wondering ‘how can I get rid of head lice?’, the first step is confirming you're actually dealing with a head lice infestation. Before jumping to conclusions, it's important to differentiate head lice from other conditions like dandruff or scalp irritation.
Start by examining the scalp closely with a fine-tooth comb under good lighting. Look for tiny, sesame seed-sized insects or nits attached to hair strands near the scalp.
If you find evidence of live lice or nits, you can be confident you're dealing with head lice and can move on to treatment options.
Head Lice
Head Lice
Pesticide-based head lice treatments, once the gold standard for eliminating lice, have become less popular in recent years as more modern treatments have emerged.
These older treatments contained chemicals like permethrin or pyrethrins, which aimed to kill lice on contact.
There is a risk of head lice developing resistance to pesticides which reduces the effectiveness of these traditional treatments.
Nits
Nits
Silicone-based head lice treatments, such as dimethicone and cyclomethicone, have become the new standard for head lice treatment due to their physical mode of action. Unlike pesticide-based treatments that aim to chemically attack the lice, silicone-based treatments work by coating the lice and their eggs, effectively suffocating them.
Dimethicone, in particular, forms a film around the lice, blocking their airways and causing them to die. Cyclomethicone, on the other hand, evaporates after application, leaving the dimethicone to continue its work.
KP24 Rapid is a head lice treatment containing both dimethicone and cyclomethicone, as well as eucalyptus oil and tea tree oil.
Nits
Nits
Innovative new head lice treatments such as KP24 Sensitive utilise advanced water-based formulations that mimic the physical action of silicone-based treatments.
By enveloping and suffocating lice through physically, they effectively eliminate lice without relying on harsh chemicals.
KP24 Sensitive offers a hypoallergenic option suitable for those with sensitive skin, making it a promising alternative to older style treatments.
Remember, for all Head Lice treatments, to always read the label and follow the directions for use.
How To Comb for Head Lice?
Combing for head lice is an important step in effectively managing an infestation. Start by wetting the hair and applying a generous amount of conditioner to ease the combing process.
Use a fine-toothed lice comb, starting at the scalp and slowly pulling through to the ends of the hair, making sure to comb small sections at a time. Wipe the comb on a white tissue or paper towel after each pass to check for lice and nits.
Repeat this process several times per week for at least two weeks to ensure all lice and their eggs are removed.
For more information, check out our article on the importance of combing.
How to Prevent Head Lice
Preventing head lice generally involves a combination of proactive measures and good hygiene practices. Start by being vigilant and regularly checking your child’s hair, especially if there’s an outbreak at school.
Avoid sharing personal items like hats, combs, and hair accessories, as these can transfer lice from one person to another, and encourage hairstyles that minimise hair contact, such as braids or ponytails. Using preventative products like lice-repellent sprays can also be beneficial.
KP24 Anti-Lice Shampoo has been specifically developed to repel head lice and prevent infestations. It repels head lice by making hair unattractive to lice, and can be used every three days. KP24 Rapid Head Lice Defence Spray is designed to provide natural, everyday defence against head lice. It is pesticide-free and contains eucalyptus, orange, cinnamon, tea tree, and lavender oils that can be sprayed on hair making it less attractive to lice.
For more information, check out our article on 7 Tips & Tricks for Preventing Head Lice.
Do Home Remedies for Head Lice Work?
There are quite a few home remedies that people sometimes use to 'treat' head lice, such as mayonnaise, petroleum jelly, and vinegar.
While some of these remedies can be somewhat effective, they generally do not treat head lice at all stages of their life cycle and fail to kill all lice in an infestation.
These methods can be time-consuming, messy, and often require several treatments to see any results.
Mayonnaise
- Messy application
- Unpleasant smell
- Incomplete treatment
- Time consuming
Petroleum jelly
- Very difficult to wash
- Time consuming
- Incomplete treatment
- Messiness
Vinegar
- Limited efficacy
- Strong smell
- Potential for skin irritation
- Multiple treatments required
Cooking oil
- Very greasy
- Time consuming
- Incomplete treatment
- Messiness
