To get rid of hair lice, the nits which are eggs of the adult lice need to be removed as well. A lice removal shampoo will do away with the adults but is ineffective on the eggs. These eggs bond like glue to the hair shaft as a result of the substance excreted by the female adult. They usually hatch in about one week. They are very difficult to remove but unless removed, the lice infestation will continue

There are several ways to remove nits but all are time consuming. The easiest way for removal is with a fine toothed metal comb to go through the individual strands of hair one by one. Wet hair works best with this method. Using a magnifying glass is a good idea as it will make the eggs more visible. It is imperative that all the hair is examined because if nits are left behind they can and will hatch and continue the infestation.

It is vital that all infected clothes and linens be washed following the removal of the louse eggs, as these garments may also contain eggs, or perhaps even adult lice. Bleach should be used, where possible, to be utterly certain that all eggs and adults have been removed. Bleach should also be utilized on any combs or hair accessories that might still be harboring nits. Those items that cannot be placed in bleach or washed should be instead placed in a sealed plastic bag for several weeks, which will kill the pests as well.

It can be quite difficult to remove louse eggs from the hair, and for this reason there are certain methods that are used to make it easier. One of these methods is the soaking of the infested person’s hair in white vinegar to remove the eggs. Doing this loosens the glue that the louse uses to hold the eggs to the hair, thus facilitating removal. It may also be beneficial to soak the comb in vinegar prior to combing out the hair. Another way to help loosen the eggs is the application of heat to the hair just prior to egg removal.

It might be best not to try a natural alternative course of action when trying to remove lice. Often times these remedies have not been tested and may go badly. Mayonnaise, a popular alternative, can go rancid and is hard to wash out. Some alternatives can even cause serious, or fatal harm.

Once you have discovered the presence of the problem, resources exist to help deal with it. A medical professional might prescribe something for taking care of the eggs. If it is an elementary or middle school student with the issue, you should consult with the nurse at the school.

To successfully deal with a hair lice infection, one must not forget about the nits – which are the lice eggs. The eggs become attached to individual strands of hair, stuck to each strand with a glue substance. The lice removal process can be expedited by a medicated shampoo, but the shampoo won’t remove the eggs. Once you have discovered the presence of the problem, resources exist to help deal with it. A medical professional might prescribe something for taking care of the eggs. If it is an elementary or middle school student with the issue, you should consult with the nurse at the school.

- norman horowitz

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