Treating Head Lice The Correct Way
When it comes to activity and treating head lice, there are several misunderstandings.
Once you realize that there are head lice taking up residence within the home, you must be matter of fact about what you are up against and treat the problem correctly. Many tales are associated with the nature of head lice and how they affect people.
Head lice do not transfer communicable diseases. Some are under the illusion that lice can jump or fly. Since lice do not possess wings, they cannot fly… but they can and do crawl. They are only passed from host to host through direct contact or direct contact with infested clothes, hair products like combs or brushes, bedding, towels, or even shower caps.
Another mistaken myth is the length of time a head lice can exist once isolated from their host. Head lice are altogether dependant on their host for nourishment and warmth. Their exclusive source of nourishment is human blood which they draw from the scalp.
The typical lifespan of a louse is about 30 days… but uncoupled from a host it is is more like 24 hours. Also, it is thought that folks with short hair are almost resistant to lice which is not true. Lice have no preference regarding length of the hair, the age of their host, or anything else. Additionally, Remember too, head lice are a human parasite and are not transferred by animals.
In addition to treating the affected person’s scalp, you should also treat anything the infested person or their clothes may have come in contact with such as bedding and furniture. Things that are able to be washed in the washing machine like clothes and bedding should be washed in hot water. Temperatures above 120 degrees Fahrenheit will expire the head lice. Belongings that cannot be put into the washer can be thrown into the dryer on the hot cycle for 20 minutes to do the job. You can also dry clean your clothes or place them in an absolute air tight bag for about two weeks.
You can clean combs and brushes by adding them in a pan of hot water and heat them on the stove for about 10 minutes at 150 degrees. If heating your brushes or combs in this way could damage them, you can put them in phenol solution like Lysol and soak them for an hour. You should also painstakingly vacuum or clean carpets, car seats and interiors of cars and furniture upholstery. You should also meticulously vacuum the mattress of the infected person. As far as fumigating your home and/or using pesticides in and around your home, is not necessary for killing the head lice.
If you do not correctly and thoroughly finish treating head lice you will run the risk of a re-infestation. However, by being prudent and taking the appropriate steps, you can rest assured that you can eliminate the problem before it escalates and becomes increasingly difficult to eliminate.
Tags: misunderstandings, bag, host, Temperatures, nourishment