Annoying, but harmless. The unwanted guests of children’s hair pass easily from one head to the other giving many inconveniences. This is how the pediculosis of the head is faced.
They are an unwelcome encounter that very few school-age children can resist. Lice infestations increase especially in autumn and winter, when children stay longer indoors and in close contact with peers.
Lice, although harmless, can not be ignored. They must be eliminated quickly because they certainly do not leave on their own.
When lice “breaks out” in a school, many parents panic. A bit for the shame linked to the false belief that the pediculosis of the head, as the infestation of these parasites is called, is due to poor hygiene.
Partly because, the “veterans” of lice know it well, they can be really difficult to eradicate.
One thing is certain: it has been proven that lice take root equally on clean and dirty hair.
So, banning urban legends. Having lice is not a hygiene issue. Just choose the right treatment and they will disappear.
Mechanical methods
They are the oldest and are fine in most cases of mild infestations.
Contrary to what was once believed, it is not necessary to cut hair to make lice disappear. It is enough to buy a specific comb at the pharmacy, with very tight teeth.
The procedure is simple: wash the baby’s hair, apply a conditioner that makes it soft and easy to comb, then brush each strand of hair with extreme care starting from the root to the ends.
It is necessary to repeat the operation at least every two days for about 10 days.
Removal alone is not enough. Clothes, sheets, pillows and fabric toys can be a source of new infestation.
They must therefore be disinfected in the washing machine at temperatures above 55 °C for at least five minutes.
Grandma’s vinegar
Once, against lice, vinegar and hot water were used. The “grandmother’s” method is still a valid option, albeit a mild one. Very useful for those who do not want to apply insecticides on children’s heads.
The vinegar, diluted and hot, serves above all to detach the nits from the hair. After applying it, you must have holy patience and eliminate them with a comb with gritted teeth, strand by strand.
Suffocating foams
Preparations based on vegetable oils or so-called suffocating foams are also useful: it is not yet clear whether they kill lice by suffocation or whether they act by blocking the insect’s paws, making it easier to remove with the comb. For sure they are very little toxic.
Obviously, their effectiveness is lower than pharmaceutical remedies especially on nits.
An active ingredient recently marketed in a concentration of 4% is dimethicone.
Its mechanism of action is simple: it coats the hair with a thin film inducing a suffocation of nits and adults.
After application, the product should be left on for at least eight hours. The treatment should be repeated after 7-8 days.
It is indicated for mild head pediculosis and has no particular contraindications (not even in neonatal age and pregnancy).
Pyrethrins and pyrethrins
Pyrethrins are insecticides of plant origin that are obtained from the flowers of the pyrethrum plant (Chrysanthemum cincerariaefolium).
Pyrethrins are the refined extracts of pyrethrum and contain six components, of which the most active from the point of view of insecticidal activity is Pyrethrin I.
They are molecules endowed with insecticidal activity against the louse and its eggs (nits). They penetrate the nervous system of the insect causing a disturbance in the coordination of movements, killing it.
In some products they are associated with a molecule that improves their effectiveness, piperonyl butoxide: this substance causes parasites to fail to demolish pyrethrins and pyrethroids, thus carrying out a synergizing action.
From the point of view of safety, they are the least toxic insecticides of all because the human body is able to biodegrade them easily.
However, they can be allergenic and give rise, in sensitive children, to contact dermatitis or respiratory allergies.
Permethrin
It is a synthetic derivative of the previous ones, widely studied and indicated for all types of pediculosis.
Compared to natural products, permethrin is, at least according to some studies, more effective especially on lice eggs.
And, according to some investigations, it seems less allergenic than pyrethrins, although it can cause burning and itching in some people.
It seems that permethrin is giving rise to phenomena of resistance; In practice, the widespread use made of this molecule in recent years may have selected resistant lice and many circulating strains of these parasites today may be insensitive to such molecules.
The permethrin-based products on the market have a concentration of active ingredient ranging from 1 to 5 percent and can be lotions, emulsions or creams.
They should be applied to damp hair (better to avoid conditioner) and left to act for 10-15 minutes before rinsing the hair.
The treatment should be repeated every three days for ten days or once every seven days depending on the severity of the infestation and the product chosen.
For details on how to best use insecticides, whether natural or synthetic, it is advisable to read the package insert carefully, because the products available are many and the methods of use may vary.
In case of doubt you can always ask the pharmacist for an opinion.
The malathion
Malathion is an organophosphorus pesticide widely used in agriculture. It is an irreversible cholinesterase inhibitor and is probably the product that kills lice and nits most effectively and quickly (about 3 seconds).
It is safe as long as the product is used correctly. It must be said that it produces, when smeared, an unpleasant smell that many children do not like.
In Italy it is available as a gel in a concentration of active ingredient equal to 1 percent. To use it correctly, follow the instructions on the package.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.