How does flea shampoo help get rid of lice? - briefly
Flea shampoo incorporates insecticidal compounds such as pyrethrins or permethrin that penetrate the exoskeleton, disrupt the nervous system, and cause rapid paralysis and death of lice. Surfactants in the formula coat the insects, leading to suffocation and reducing the chance of re‑infestation.
How does flea shampoo help get rid of lice? - in detail
Flea shampoo contains insecticidal agents, typically pyrethrins, permethrin, or neonicotinoids, that target the nervous system of ectoparasites. These chemicals bind to voltage‑gated sodium channels in lice, forcing prolonged depolarization and resulting in paralysis and death. The formulation also includes surfactants that lower surface tension, allowing the active ingredients to spread uniformly across hair shafts and penetrate the protective wax layer of the insects.
The treatment process involves several steps:
- Wet the hair thoroughly; ensure even distribution of the product.
- Apply the shampoo, massaging into the scalp and hair to reach the base of each strand.
- Leave the solution on for the manufacturer‑specified contact time, usually five to ten minutes, to allow sufficient absorption.
- Rinse completely; repeat the application after seven to ten days to eradicate newly hatched nits that survived the first exposure.
Additional components, such as conditioning agents, reduce irritation and maintain hair integrity during repeated use. The residual effect of certain ingredients provides a short‑term protective barrier, decreasing the likelihood of immediate reinfestation.
Effectiveness depends on proper dosage, adherence to the recommended schedule, and thorough coverage of all affected areas. Failure to follow these guidelines may leave a subpopulation of lice alive, leading to treatment failure.