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Head Lice Treatment

When performing a lice treatment, there is a typical pattern , whether you are treating with a natural alternative like tea tree oil, or with a standard pharmaceutical or over the counter pediculicide.

Close up of Japanese Macaques (Snow Monkeys) Grooming Each Other

It goes without saying that you first need to confirm the presence of lice or their eggs, (known as nits). You have two choices when either are discovered, you can take action or do nothing. Lice will not kill you, but they may make you and those around you very uncomfortable and itchy.

After the finding the lice, all others in the household should be checked for lice also, but you can leave off the pets, as human lice do not live on dogs, cats, chickens, cows, goats, or fish ( or just about any other animal you can name) If no lice are found, periodically recheck everyone until about two weeks after the last louse is destroyed.

Now your real work begins. With nearly any lice treatment you�ll need to thoroughly comb the hair with a louse comb and oil or conditioner every day for about two weeks.

A nit comb is a very fine toothed comb that is run thru every single inch of your hair, if this is not easily accomplished, you will need to use a pediculicide (covered in just a few paragraphs below) or go to this page on treating with tea tree oil.

Lovebirds Photo 205

I�ve heard that families joke that this is very bonding. Some will remember the psycho-nonsense, about how it�s not quantity time but quality time that matters, so consider this the best of both worlds, quantity and quality Using pediculicides can be ineffective, and is considered by many to be dangerous, especially for children or for people with compromised immune systems ( that may occur with cancers and HIV,) and some other serious conditions and diseases.

Please visit Jesse�s project for more on this.

Removing the nits may not be necessary, as most likely they will die from the constant barrage of the chemicals or conditioners or have hatched during the combing only process. The work load also continues in the laundering of all the bedding, pillow cases, clothes that are worn, pajamas, and towels on a daily basis for the two weeks of treatment.

It is not necessary, although it may bring peace of mind to have the carpets and upholstery thoroughly cleaned after the lice infestation.

Lice cannot live away from their food source (your blood) for more than two days.

The best treatment for your carpets and upholstery may be a good vacuuming every day until the lice are gone, or especially after the infested individual has been sitting on a particular piece of furniture or lying on the carpet.

If you are planning to an over the counter pediculicide, always ask if the infected person has been treated with any lice treatments, and what kind. The greatest danger from any lice treatment is over-exposure and improper use. All of the head lice remedies available over the counter and by prescription are insecticides, and so are poisonous to some degree.

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