Head lice are also known as a head louse, they are light brownish clear color, they are tiny like the size of rice and they feed off the human scalp, eyebrows or even lashes. When the lice fall off of the scalp or become removed from their food source they will die. the spread of head lice is common among children because of their close proximity in a learning environment, the lice will move from place to place when it has a direct connection to do so. They can be spread through a personal belonging however it would have to have recently been in contact with the source otherwise it would be unlikely for lice to live on an item. While we do not actually know how they began, because it is not a hygiene issue (believe it or not) head lice have been in existence for as long as people have been found mummified.
So, what is lice, and how do I get it off of me. The answer is lice are a parasite that is usually transferred through sharing community items that come in contact with your head. As for how to get lice off of you, you will need to get a special shampoo and conditioner that has an additive that eliminates lice. After multiple applications over the course of 1-2 weeks you should be ri of all existing lice.
Read on to find out more facts and information about lice.
What Causes Hair Lice?
The cause is unknown but the contraction of lice is not. The environment for someone to get hair lice is from one person to another via the contact and can also happen with combs and brushes if shared in a short period of time as a person who has lice.
What Are Lice Attracted To?
Lice are attracted to well kept clean hair, what did you expect, for to lice to live in the slums? Lice like to live in a nice place and don’t come from or seek dirty hair. If they do end up in hair that is unclean they may remain there if not taken care of.
Can You Feel Lice?
Yes! You can feel lice moving around in your hair which is why you will see the affected person itch and scratch because the lice are tickling the scalp. If you have been in contact with someone who has lice and you are wondering if you have them take your fingertips a pull your hair flat against the sides of your hair and check for small brownish clear bugs, more likely the telltale sign will be the feeling o them in your hair.
Can Lice Go Away On Its Own
Head lice could go away on its own but it is unlikely and won’t happen quickly or easily, in fact, it is more expected to get worse as the itching can lead to skin irritation then breakage and infection. It is best to use a shampoo or a home remedy to control the situation.
Can Head Lice Live On Pillows?
No, lice cannot live in pillows or bedding they are sole survivors on the scalp of humans if they do not have blood from the scalp of a human they have nothing to live off of. You could find dead lice on or in bedding and you will want to wash them after the discovery of lice but it will be unlikely to get them from a pillow unless you shared the pillow with someone who has lice and then that person would have spread them to you.
Do I Need To Wash Bedding After Head Lice?
No, they are unable to survive in things like bedding, pillows, couches, blankets, toys, clothing, etc… longer than 24 hours on those surfaces.They are able to be transferred from hats and clothing only if passes directly from one affected person to another unaffected person. Although, from an overall cleanliness perspective it won’t hurt to have clean bedding.
Can You Get Lice From Sleeping In The Same Bed?
Yes, no and it depends on how close your head is to the other individual in the bed if you are sleeping head to toe or you are sleeping near a child and you are not sharing a pillow the chances of getting lice from one another are slim. Lice do spread and get around but only if the means are within walking space, they will not travel far because they will die.
Are head lice dangerous?
No, Head lice are not dangerous. They are pesky and bothersome and can cause skin irritation, restless sleep, and other issues but they are not particularly dangerous.
Can A HairDryer Kill Lice?
Yes, nits and lice can die by the use of a hairdryer. Ultimately it is the detachment of the insect from the hair or suffocation from the intensity of the hot air that will kill them.
How Do I Check My Own Head For Lice?
Checking your own head for lice
- Fingertips to the scalp pulling back the hair to find little moving insects
- Use a small tooth comb to pull through your hair and examine the findings
- Feel the consistent itch is a telltale sign of lice
- Watch the little white things for movement if they don’t it’s probably dandruff or dried product conditioner *phew*
What Does Lice Look Like?
They have been compared to rice and sesame seeds in size, they will appear white in the hair and they will cling to strands of it looking like light dandruff in a way but dandruff doesn’t move! Gross.
Can You Get Lice From Hugging?
If your head and the head of another effected person are hugging long enough for lice to crawl over from your head to theirs then yeah, sure, it could happen. What is good to know in this scenario is that lice do not jump from one person to another, they can only crawl around means that you would need to be in a position where the insect could crawl from your head to another, which is why it happens to kids pretty often in school because of nap time and close seating arrangements it gives the lice some time to get to other hosts.
What Is A Good Shampoo For Lice?
Any over the counter lice shampoo should work for your issue, if your child has brought them home from school the district will generally recommend a product, in my case in elementary school our entire class had to be treated in the gym and they sent everyone 2home with RID but there are all kinds of shampoos out there that will do the trick
- Nix
- Equate brand
- Walgreens brand
A natural suggested remedy is to use a conditioner in dry hair and use a fine-tooth comb to pull the lice out.
Is Nix or Rid Better For Lice?
Nix and Rid will both work sufficiently to clear your scalp and hair from these parasites just be sure to follow the instructions completely and purchase your own secondary comb that has extremely fine tooth quality, you are going to want to not only wash but pull them off of the hair to remove them from their source.
How Do I Get Rid Of Lice Fast?
Getting rid of lice is a process and literally needs to be done with a fine-tooth comb, no matter which method you choose, shampoo, conditioner, or hair dryer you will need to also be combing through. The shampoo is the most recommended and can usually take care of them the quickest, however, you will need to keep up with the combing and do it thoroughly to sufficiently get them off. Once they are gone you should be clear unless you come into contact with the host…again.
Summary
Lice are really gross little scalp huggers that can’t live without your luscious hair, water will not kill them unless they are unattached to your lovely locks. They feed on the blood from your scalp but not your dog or cat, they are non-transferrable parasites they prefer human host only. You can get rid of them with a shampoo or a conditioner and a fine-tooth comb. You can’t get them from hugging unless your hug is really a dance that lasts a few minutes and your heads are touching too. Your bedding could have lice in it but they are very unlikely to live in is as they will be starving but it could happen so stay clean just in case and wash your items that may have come in contact with the host within 24 hours time.
Thanks for buggin’ out with me and good luck!
