WHAT ARE HAIR LICE? Hair lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are small, parasitic insects that live on human hair and scalp. They feed on human blood and are highly contagious, spreading primarily through direct head-to-head contact or by sharing personal items like combs, hats, and bedding. Hair lice are wingless and cannot jump or fly; instead, they move by crawling.
The lice infestation, known as pediculosis, is common, particularly among school-aged children. Lice lay eggs, called nits, which stick to the hair shaft, and once hatched, they go through several life stages before maturing into adult lice. Although lice do not carry diseases, their bites can cause itching, discomfort, and, in some cases, secondary infections due to scratching.
Treatments usually involve specialized shampoos or natural remedies, and prevention is based on good hygiene practices and avoiding sharing items that touch .
Where Do Hair Lice Come From
Hair lice, also known as head lice, come from direct contact with an infested person. They are tiny, parasitic insects that live on the scalp and feed on blood. Lice cannot fly or jump, but they can crawl from one person to another through close contact. This commonly happens when people share personal items like hats, combs, pillows, or clothing.
Lice infestations can spread quickly in places where people are in close proximity, like schools, daycare centers, and homes.
How Long Do Hair Lice Live
Head lice can live for about 30 days on a person’s scalp, where they feed on blood. During their lifespan, adult female lice lay eggs (nits) close to the scalp, which take about 7 to 10 days to hatch. After hatching, it takes about 9 to 12 days for the young lice (nymphs) to mature into adults.
If lice fall off the scalp, they typically die within 1 to 2 days because they rely on the warmth of the scalp and blood for survival. Nits, however, can survive for up to 10 days without hatching, even if they are off the host.
Hair Lice And Egg
- Head Lice (Adults):
- Adult lice are small, about the size of a sesame seed, with six legs.
- They live on the scalp and feed on blood, causing itching and irritation.
- Adult lice can live for about 30 days on the scalp but will die within 1-2 days if they fall off.
- Lice Eggs (Nits):
- Nits are tiny, oval-shaped, and usually yellow, white, or tan in color.
- Female lice lay these eggs close to the scalp, often near the base of hair strands, as warmth helps the eggs hatch.
- Nits are glued firmly to the hair shaft, making them hard to remove.
- It takes about 7-10 days for the eggs to hatch into nymphs (young lice).
- Nymphs (Young Lice):
- Once hatched, nymphs look like smaller versions of adult lice and begin feeding on the scalp immediately.
- Nymphs mature into adults in about 9-12 days and start the cycle again by laying more eggs.
Treating both lice and nits is important, as untreated eggs can hatch and cause re-infestation.
How To Remove Hair Lice With Eggs
To effectively remove head lice and their eggs (nits), you’ll need a combination of treatments to kill the lice and physically remove the eggs. Here’s a step-by-step process:
1. Use Over-the-Counter Lice Treatments:
- Shampoos or Creams: Products containing permethrin or pyrethrin are common. These kill lice but may not kill all the eggs.
- Follow instructions carefully: Apply the treatment and leave it on for the recommended time.
- Reapply after 7-10 days: Since most treatments do not kill all the eggs, a second application may be necessary to kill newly hatched lice.
2. Manual Removal of Nits (Eggs):
- Fine-tooth Nit Comb: Use a special lice comb with fine teeth to physically remove lice and eggs from the hair.
- How to Use:
- Divide the hair into small sections.
- Comb through each section from the scalp to the ends.
- After each stroke, wipe the comb on a paper towel to remove any lice or eggs.
- Focus on areas where eggs are commonly laid, such as the nape of the neck and behind the ears.
3. Home Remedies
Some people use natural treatments alongside over-the-counter products:
- Vinegar Rinse: Soak the hair with a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar to help loosen the glue that sticks nits to the hair shaft.
- Olive Oil or Coconut Oil: These can be applied to the hair to smother the lice. Leave on for several hours or overnight and then comb through.
4. Wash Bedding and Clothing:
- Wash all bedding, clothing, and hats used in the last 48 hours in hot water (at least 130°F/54°C) and dry on high heat.
- Items that cannot be washed should be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks.
5. Vacuum the House:
- Lice cannot live long off the scalp, but it’s a good idea to vacuum floors, furniture, and car seats to remove any fallen hairs with attached nits.
6. Repeat the Process:
- Even after the first treatment, continue checking and combing the hair every 2-3 days for two weeks to ensure all lice and nits are gone.
- Follow up with a second treatment as needed, based on the instructions of the lice treatment used.
By combining a lice treatment with thorough combing, you can effectively eliminate lice and their eggs.
What Does Hair Lice Looks Like
Hair lice are tiny parasitic insects, and they go through several stages in their life cycle. Here’s what they look like:
1. Lice Eggs (Nits):
- Appearance: Small, oval-shaped, and usually yellow, white, or tan.
- Size: About the size of a knot in a thread (0.8 mm long).
- Location: Nits are firmly attached to the base of hair shafts near the scalp, especially around the nape of the neck and behind the ears.
- Texture: They are often confused with dandruff but don’t easily flake off, as they are glued to the hair.
2. Nymphs (Young Lice):
- Appearance: Nymphs look like smaller versions of adult lice but are lighter in color and harder to see.
- Size: About 1.1 mm to 1.3 mm long.
- Movement: Nymphs move quickly on the scalp.
3. Adult Lice:
- Appearance: Adults are tan to grayish-white and have six legs. Their body is elongated, and they are sometimes slightly transparent, making them blend into hair.
- Size: About the size of a sesame seed (2-3 mm long).
- Movement: They move quickly through the hair and avoid light, making them hard to spot.
- Location: They stay close to the scalp to feed on blood and can often be found behind the ears or at the back of the neck.
Overall, lice are tiny and can be difficult to see, especially in light-colored hair. A magnifying glass can help spot the Lice.
Hair Lice Treatment
. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Treatments:
These are the most common first-line treatments and are available at most pharmacies.
- Permethrin-based Shampoos (1%):
- Example: Nix
- Apply to wet hair, leave on for 10 minutes, and rinse out. Follow instructions carefully.
- A second treatment is often needed after 7-10 days to kill any newly hatched lice.
- Pyrethrin-based Products:
- Example: Rid, A-200
- Derived from natural chrysanthemum flowers, it works similarly to permethrin.
- Requires two treatments to ensure all lice are killed.
2. Prescription Treatments:
If OTC treatments fail or lice show resistance, doctors may prescribe stronger medications:
- Ivermectin (Sklice):
- Kills lice in one application without the need for combing.
- Spinosad (Natroba):
- Effective in killing both lice and nits with one treatment.
- Benzyl Alcohol (Ulesfia):
- Kills lice but not the eggs, so a second treatment is needed.
- Malathion (Ovide):
- A very strong treatment that can kill both lice and nits. It’s applied to dry hair and left on for 8-12 hours.
3. Manual Removal (Combing Method):
- Lice Combs: Use a fine-tooth nit comb specifically designed for lice removal.
- Steps:
- Wet the hair and divide it into sections.
- Use the comb to remove lice and eggs from each section.
- Comb from the scalp to the ends, wiping the comb after each stroke.
- Repeat every few days for at least two weeks.
4. Natural Remedies
Some people use these home remedies, though they may not be as reliable as medicated treatments:
- Olive Oil or Coconut Oil: These oils can smother lice. Apply generously to the hair, cover with a shower cap, and leave overnight. Comb out lice in the morning.
- Tea Tree Oil: Known for its insecticidal properties, tea tree oil can be mixed with a carrier oil and applied to the hair.
- Vinegar: A vinegar rinse may help loosen nits, but it doesn’t kill lice.
5. Cleaning and Prevention:
- Wash Items: Wash bedding, hats, clothes, and towels in hot water (at least 130°F or 54°C) and dry them on high heat.
- Sealing Non-Washable Items: Items like stuffed animals can be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks to kill lice.
- Vacuuming: Vacuum floors, furniture, and car seats to remove any hairs that may have lice or eggs attached.
6. Avoid Re-infestation:
- Avoid sharing personal items like brushes, hats, and towels.
- Keep long hair tied back to reduce contact with others.
- Regularly check family members for signs of lice if someone is infested.
7. Follow-Up:
- Be sure to check and comb hair regularly for about two weeks after treatment to ensure all lice and nits are gone.
- A second treatment is often recommended 7-10 days after the first application, as many treatments don’t kill the eggs.
This combination of medicated treatments, manual removal, and preventive steps can effectively eliminate lice.
