Myths and Treatments About Head Lice

For many years now there have been many misconceptions that are associated with head lice both in their nature as well as effective treatment options. Once you realize that you have head lice in your home, you will need to be know the

difference between the myths and treatments about head lice so you can treat these parasites correctly.

Many myths are associated with the nature of head lice and how they affect people. Head lice do not transmit communicable diseases. Some are under the impression that lice can jump or fly. Lice do not have wings so they are unable to fly but the do crawl. They are only passed from person to person through direct contact or direct contact with infested clothes, hair products like combs or brushes, bedding, towels, or even shower caps.

How Long Can Lice Live When They Are Off Their Hosts?

Another misconception is how long they live off of their host. Head lice are completely dependant on their host for nourishment and warmth. Their only source of food is human blood which they draw from the scalp. They will typically live for up to thirty days but they can only survive off of their host for up to 24 hours. Also, it is thought that people with short hair are almost immune to lice which is not the case. Lice do not have a preference to age of their host, race, sex, personal hygiene or length of hair. Plus, head lice are a human parasite and are not transferred by animals.

Treating Head Lice

Treating head lice should be done with regard to what the infested person has come into contact with. After treating their hair with medicated shampoo and combing out all of the nits and lice, careful consideration should be taken in regards to what the infected person has come into contact with. Things that are able to be washed in the washer machine like clothes and bedding should be washed in hot water. Exposing lice and nits to temperatures above 125 degrees F for 10 minutes is lethal. Things that are not washer machine safe can be thrown into the dryer on the hot cycle for 20 minutes for the same results.

You can also choose the option of dry cleaning your things or placing them in an airtight bag for two weeks. You can clean combs and brushes by placing them in a pan of hot water and heat them on the stove for about 10 minutes at 150 degrees F. If heating your brushes or combs in this way could damage them, you can place them in phenol solution like Lysol and soak them for an hour. You should also thoroughly vacuum or clean carpets, car seats and interiors of cars and furniture upholstery. You should also thoroughly vacuum the mattress of the infected person. Fumigating your home and using insecticidal sprays on furniture or carpets is not necessary or recommended for killing head lice.

Many people do not treat lice in the proper way in order to get rid of the problem sufficiently. This will lead to an infestation. But, by taking proper steps to rid your home of them, you can be sure that you can stop the problem before it really starts. For additional information on the myths and treatments about head lice please visit removal tips for head lice or licehead.