How can lice be eliminated and what do they look like?

How can lice be eliminated and what do they look like? - briefly

Lice are tiny, wing‑less insects about 2–4 mm long, with a flattened, elongated body, six legs, and a tan‑to‑grayish‑brown coloration that allows them to blend with hair. Eradication relies on applying a pediculicide shampoo or lotion to dry hair, repeatedly combing with a fine‑toothed nit comb, and laundering bedding and clothing at ≥60 °C.

How can lice be eliminated and what do they look like? - in detail

Head lice are small, wingless insects measuring 2–4 mm in length. Adult bodies are flattened, elongated, and gray‑brown to tan. Six legs end in claw‑like tarsi that grip hair shafts. Nymphs resemble miniature adults, lacking developed reproductive organs. Eggs (nits) appear as oval, translucent shells firmly attached to the side of a hair strand, usually within 1 cm of the scalp.

Infestation signs include persistent itching caused by saliva injection, visible live insects moving on the scalp, and clusters of nits that cannot be brushed away easily. Nits are often mistaken for dandruff but differ in that they are firmly glued and do not detach with combing.

Effective eradication combines chemical, mechanical, and environmental actions:

• Chemical agents:

  1. Permethrin 1 % lotion, applied to dry hair, left for 10 minutes, then rinsed.
  2. Pyrethrin‑based products, used according to label, repeat after 7–10 days to target hatching nymphs.
  3. Prescription ivermectin or malathion for resistant cases, administered by a healthcare professional.

• Mechanical removal:

  1. Fine‑toothed nit comb, used on wet, conditioned hair.
  2. Systematic passes from scalp outward, repeated every 2–3 days for two weeks.
  3. Manual extraction of live insects with tweezers, if visible.

• Environmental control:

  1. Wash bedding, clothing, and towels in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and tumble dry on high heat.
  2. Seal non‑washable items in sealed plastic bags for two weeks.
  3. Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, and car seats to remove stray nits.

Preventive measures reduce recurrence risk:

• Avoid sharing combs, hats, or hair accessories.
• Encourage regular head checks, especially after group activities.
• Maintain short hair lengths in environments with frequent outbreaks.

Combining these steps eliminates both adult lice and their eggs, restores scalp health, and minimizes reinfestation.