How do lice look and how can they be eliminated at home? - briefly
Head lice are small, oval, grayish insects about 2–3 mm long, with six legs that end in claw‑like tarsi for gripping hair shafts; nits appear as tiny, cemented eggs attached near the scalp. Effective home treatment includes applying a pediculicide shampoo or a 0.5% permethrin lotion, followed by thorough combing with a fine‑toothed nit comb and repeated washing of clothing, bedding, and personal items at ≥60 °C.
How do lice look and how can they be eliminated at home? - in detail
Lice are small, wingless insects about 2–4 mm long. The adult body is flattened laterally, facilitating movement through hair shafts. Color ranges from gray‑white to brown, often darkening after a blood meal. The head bears six short, claw‑like legs equipped with tiny hooks that grasp individual strands. Eyes are reduced to simple ocelli, barely visible. Nymphs (or “nymphs”) resemble adults but are proportionally smaller and lack fully developed reproductive organs. Eggs, called nits, are oval, 0.8 mm in length, and firmly attached to the hair shaft within 1 cm of the scalp by a cement‑like substance that resists removal.
Effective home eradication requires a systematic approach:
- Mechanical removal: Use a fine‑toothed nit comb on wet, conditioned hair. Comb from scalp outward, cleaning the comb after each pass. Repeat every 2–3 days for at least two weeks.
- Chemical treatment: Apply a pediculicide containing 1 % permethrin or 0.5 % pyrethrin, following label instructions precisely. Leave the product on the scalp for the recommended duration, then rinse thoroughly. A second application after 7–10 days eliminates newly hatched lice.
- Environmental decontamination: Wash bedding, towels, and clothing in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Items that cannot be laundered should be sealed in a plastic bag for 48 hours to starve any surviving insects.
- Vacuuming: Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and vehicle seats to remove stray lice and nits that may have fallen off the host.
- Preventive measures: Avoid sharing combs, hats, or hair accessories. Keep long hair tied back when in close‑contact settings.
Regular inspection of the scalp and hair after treatment confirms success. Persistence of live insects or viable nits after the full protocol indicates the need for a repeat of the chemical application or consultation with a healthcare professional.