Lice is an embarrassing problem. We can become infected with it regardless of age and care for hygiene, for example by direct contact with pillowcases used by an infected person, combing with the same brush or wearing the same head covering. What is worth knowing about head lice and how to effectively fight it?
What is head lice?
Head lice (pediculosis capillitii), contrary to popular belief, does not only affect people who do not care about hygiene. Although children in preschool and early school age are most often infected with lice, lice is also a problem for adults. Infection usually occurs through direct contact with the scalp of an infected person, but often it is enough to even contact the mattress or bedding on which the person with the lice has slept, or comb the hair with the same comb. The culprit of this unpleasant ailment are parasites that feed on human blood and are often difficult to see with the naked eye in the initial stage of the disease, and their presence is evidenced by itching and an increased need to scratch. Lice lay eggs – nits – right at the base of the hair on the head, but also around the nape or behind the ears. The presence of lice and nits can be detected by combing the hair with a comb above the sink or a piece of paper. Ripe lice will fall to the surface when you brush them, while the nits can be seen with the naked eye, because they stick firmly to the hair, the so-called cement and are white-yellow or white-brown in color (may resemble dandruff).
How to deal with head lice?
There are drugs and preparations on the market that counteract head lice. If you or your child have symptoms of this disease, consult your doctor for advice on the best treatment. Use preparations against head lice according to the doctor’s instructions or according to the recommendations contained in the leaflet. You can also use professional preparations in the form of lotions against lice and nits available in pharmacies without a prescription (eg IdeePharm Nivelazione skin therapy Pure Liquid Against Lice and Nits). They work by thoroughly covering the lice, cutting off their air access and completely eliminating them from the hair and scalp. The physical blockage of the respiratory function of parasites precludes the development of resistance to the ingredients of the preparation. The treatment should be supplemented with a shampoo against lice and nits, which removes dead lice and nits remaining on the hair and scalp through its washing properties (eg IdeePharm Nivelazione skin therapy Pure Shampoo Against Lice and Nits). Such care should be repeated after a week. In order to fight head lice, you must also remember to thoroughly disinfect items that have come into contact with the hair or scalp: brushes, combs, hairpins, hair ties, etc., and to wash all towels, sheets and pillowcases with contact with a person infected with head lice.
This is worth knowing:
- The itching associated with head lice causes a strong urge to scratch the scalp. However, it is worth refraining from it, because scratching not only increases itching, but also leads to bacterial infections and irritation of the scalp, and consequently promotes the development of head lice.
- In a large group, you should not use the same hair accessories and personal items, such as a comb or brush. This is especially important at summer camps, schools and kindergartens – the child should be allergic to this and his scalp should be checked regularly. Such prophylaxis will help you avoid contracting head lice or detect it at an early stage and combat its development as soon as possible.
- When traveling, especially when staying overnight in hostels or hostels, you should pay particular attention to hygiene and use only clean, washed in high temperature pillowcases and towels. Head lice is sometimes called the vagabond disease due to the fact that infection with it often occurs while traveling.
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