Lice; an epidemic that spreads like wildfire. It’s so easy to get lice, however, very hard to get rid of. Here are some tips on how to get rid of lice in the home and on the head.
1. Use Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree Oil does not work as a standalone lice treatment. It does not suffocate lice already in your hair. However, it works as a great deterrent at the event of an outbreak. When you hear of an outbreak in your school or your home, treat those who are not infected already with tea tree oil in order to tell the little bugs to stay away. This will help prevent the lice outbreak from getting bigger than it is.
2. Over the counter medications
It is important to research over the counter lice treatments before purchasing them. Some contain pesticides and some do not. Also, some are not approved for children who are younger than 2 years old. Make sure the kind you are buying is something that will work but be safe for you as well. Benzyl Alcohol (Ulesfia) kills active lice but not eggs. It is safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and babies 6 months or older. Ivermectin (Sklice) kills most head lice and doesn’t require combing out lice eggs. You also do not need to treat a second time. There’s a few other over the counter lice treatments. Don’t forget to research the type of treatment you would like to buy before buying it. Another tip: ALWAYS follow the product instructions carefully for maximum effectiveness.
3. Wash infected items in hot water
Once you have treated the infected persons, it is important to wash the clothes, sheets and blankets they used while infected. This will help keep the infected persons clean of lice and keep those around them clean as well. However, when washing the infected items, it is important to wash them in in hot water and dry them on high heat. This is because lice and lice eggs die when exposed to temperatures greater than 128.3 degrees Fahrenheit for more than five minutes.
4. Vacuum home
Finally, it is time to clean off any furniture, rugs or floors that could be infected. The only way to do this effectively is to vacuum any places where the infected persons may have been. Don’t forget to vacuum the sofas they have been sitting on.
If you have have lice, do not be embarrassed. It is completely normal thing to have and does not mean that you are dirty. Contracting lice is as easy as being around a person who has them. It doesn’t matter how clean you are.
