There are a few things to keep in mind while dealing with head lice. You and your children are not “unclean” because of the proliferation of these parasites.
In some cases, all that’s needed to get rid of head lice is effective lice comb to remove the nits, nymphs, and adults from your child’s hair. A similar topic has also been covered by Observer Desk last year and the author for the site mentioned some really effective tips, which we considered and added some of our own to provide you with a comprehensive solution.
No need to freak out if your child just returned from an overnight visit with friends and you are informed that one of the children has lice. You’re likely to have seen the issue before it gets out of hand. For the next three weeks, you may just comb your child’s hair every morning and night.
Combing may be used in conjunction with several simple home remedies. Suffocation is a common technique used in most home treatments to get rid of lice. As a parent, you may want to avoid using harsh chemicals on your child’s head if possible.
Can Black People Get Head Lice?
Can black people get head lice? According to a study in 2018, head lice are less common among African American persons than among the general population. The type of the claws in head lice and the structure and diameter of the hair shaft in coiled hair may be to blame.
Researchers also speculate that hair oils may have something to do with it. Because it makes hair less brittle and easier to hold, petroleum jelly is a great deterrent to head lice. African American women are more likely to use hair products as compared to other women and to begin utilizing them at a younger age, according to research.
Head lice are more frequent among Caucasians, Hispanics, and Asian Americans than among African Americans. As an example, less than 0.5 percent of African American pupils are infected with head lice, compared to 10 percent of other race schoolchildren.
Some head lice may be able to adapt to live in oily hair, according to new research. Senegal, Burundi, Rwanda, and Ethiopia were the four African nations where researchers identified head lice.
Smother the lice
The following are some tried-and-true natural “smothering” remedies. If you follow the directions, they function better.
There are many who argue that the “suffocating” treatments just temporarily slow down the louse larvae so that they are easier to trap with a comb.
First, apply a little olive or almond oil to your hair. Vaseline and mayonnaise are not advised since they may be difficult to remove from the skin, and they are also messy.) Reapplying oil to your comb instead of the hair is another option. It’s possible that you’ll have to experiment with both approaches to discover which one works best for you.
Then, using a hair clip, remove the pieces you don’t need out of the way. Make sure you’re working in well-lit conditions so you can clearly see your hands. Under hot running water, wash the comb often.
Wash your child’s hair with their usual shampoo once you’ve finished combing it. Rinse and repeat. After that, blow-dry their hair if necessary.
Towels and the lice comb should be washed and sanitized after each usage. Rinse the comb well after soaking it in a 10% bleach solution or 2% Lysol solution for 30 minutes. Soak the comb for 30 minutes in vinegar or boil it for 10 minutes in water as an option.
For a week, repeat this method. After that, comb your hair every night for the following two weeks to ensure that any lice have been removed.
Treat head lice with essential oils
Head lice may be eliminated with a variety of essential oils, as well as combing.
Essential oils should never be taken orally. Some, in fact, maybe harmful to your health. It’s best to dilute essential oils first with a carrier oil and test a little drop on your child’s palm before using it. The essential oil will be safe to use if there is no reaction.
Essential oils haven’t been studied sufficiently to know whether they’re safe for youngsters.
Some children are allergic to these oils, particularly tea tree oil. Keep trying different oils until your kid no longer has an allergy to any of them. The following essential oils have shown to be effective:
- Aniseed oil
- Clove oil
- Cinnamon leaf oil
- Lavender oil
- Neem oil
- Eucalyptus oil
- Peppermint oil
- Red thyme oil
- Tea tree oil
- Nutmeg oil
Add 15 to 20 drops of essential oil to 2 ounces of olive oil. Cotton balls dipped in the mixture should be used to apply it to the scalp. Do not wash your hair for at least 12 hours after using this product. Rinse and re-shampoo the hair.
You may also use rubbing alcohol to dilute the essential oil by diluting 15 to 20 drops in 4 ounces of it. Spray the hair with the liquid after mixing it in a spray bottle. For the second time, leave it on for a full day at least. Preventive usage of the alcohol spray is possible once the lice have been eradicated.
Keep in mind that combing out the hair is the only way to get rid of lice and their eggs completely.
Clean around the house
Those who have lice, may be tempted to do a thorough cleaning of your home, but you can be confident that this isn’t always the best way to rid your home of the infestation.
Nits normally do not hatch at room temperature, although lice may survive for long periods of time near the scalp. As a result, you may choose to postpone your housework until later.
Nonetheless, if you’ve been in close touch with anyone who has lice, you may want to clean or wash any items that have come into contact with them. A plastic bag is a perfect place to store non-washable items and your favorite stuffed animals.
Any object that has been infected with lice should be washed, dried, or placed in a plastic bag that is air-tight for 2 weeks to kill the lice as well as any nits that may be present.
You may also use a vacuum to remove lice from carpets and upholstered furniture.
Try wet-combing
Lice removal using a wet comb is a time-honored method. Lice may be more easily seen, distinguishable from dandruff, and inexpensive, according to a British Medical Journal.
In certain circumstances, a magnifying lens and a fine-tooth comb are used to inspect and eliminate individual lice from wet hair strands during wet-combing.
While wet-combing may be successful, the process is time-consuming and requires a certain amount of patience. If you decide to give it a go, make sure to give yourself plenty of time and think of ways to keep your youngster occupied.
Outlook
Make sure you follow the instructions to a tee while dealing with lice. One of the most common reasons for re-infestation is a lack of attention to medication instructions. Can black people get head lice? Yes, they need to prevent the lice from re-infestation.
The CDC suggests following your doctor’s treatment guidelines and letting them know if therapy doesn’t seem to be working if you’re using home remedies like mayonnaise or nit-removal facilities.