Hydrogen peroxide for lice and nits - reviews and instructions for use

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Svetlana Tarasova

Hairdresser-stylist with more than 8 years of experience, expert in the field of haircuts, styling, hair care, coloring.
On the topic of lice infestation, that is, pediculosis, a modern person will most likely say with a grin that this is a medieval disease and it does not threaten us, people who care about hygiene, at all. But statistics tell us the opposite, namely, that the trend of lice infection in modern Russia is not declining. There is no guarantee that this infection will not stick to even the cleanest person. Therefore, it is important to know basic ways of how, in case of infection, to be able to get rid of unpleasant and dangerous blood-sucking parasites.

How to remove lice with peroxide

For the procedure you need to use a solution with a 3% concentration.
To reduce the risk of negative effects of the substance on the scalp and hair, peroxide should be diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio. It is advisable to eliminate the risk of allergies; to do this, the resulting solution is applied to a small area of skin under the elbow. If redness and a burning sensation occurs after application, you should not use hydrogen peroxide for lice and nits. Procedure steps:

• comb your hair thoroughly, dividing it into strands;
• apply the resulting solution to a sponge and rub it into the scalp and hair along the entire length;
• cover your head with a plastic bag, secure with cling film and wait 10 minutes;
• rinse off the remaining solution and wash your hair with regular shampoo;
• dry your hair with a hairdryer and begin combing out the remaining parasites

When washing off peroxide, first use warm water, and then an acidic solution prepared from water with the addition of vinegar or citric acid. The acidic solution is effective in removing dead parasites and making the combing process easier.

The combing procedure is carried out over a white sheet of paper with a special comb with fine teeth. This stage is especially important for those with long, thick hair. Combing should be very thorough, strand by strand, to remove all nits. The duration of the procedure is at least 30-40 minutes.

A correctly carried out procedure will completely get rid of lice and nits. In case of severe damage, it is recommended to repeat the treatment after a few days.

If a person experiences a burning sensation during treatment, they should immediately rinse off the solution and wash their hair to avoid the risk of skin burns.

Rules for using peroxide at home

Peroxide is a very strong oxidizing substance, so it is strictly prohibited to use it undiluted. Treating strands against parasites requires a 3% solution in equal proportions with clean water. To ensure that the medicine does not lose its qualities, you will need to use it immediately after cooking.

You should first prepare:

latex gloves;
glass container;
rinse aid in the form of acidified water;
a sponge for distributing the mixture;
comb with fine teeth.

If the peroxide solution is not applied immediately, the therapy will be ineffective. This is due to the fact that the oxidizing agent loses all its benefits when in contact with oxygen.

Pros and cons of hydrogen peroxide for lice and nits

In order to eliminate parasites, just one treatment is usually sufficient. As a rule, the insects die and no longer bother humans. Hydrogen peroxide is a cheap medicine that can be found in any home medicine cabinet.

However, the use of hydrogen peroxide for lice has a number of disadvantages:

• there is a risk of scalp burns;
• during treatment, many complain of a feeling of discomfort and tingling;
• violation of the rules of the procedure can negatively affect the condition of the hair, it becomes brittle and thin;
• the substance is not used to remove lice from children and pregnant women.
• peroxide can also discolor your hair, so you need to be prepared for this result.

Hydrogen peroxide for lice and nits is contraindicated in the following cases:

• if a person has excessively dry, brittle and dull hair, exposure to acid will only intensify these negative phenomena;
• increased risk of developing allergic reactions;
• the presence of wounds, abrasions and other damage to the scalp - increased risk of irritation and itching
• you don't want to experiment with hair color.
• children's age (especially under 5 years) is an absolute contraindication to the use of hydrogen peroxide, since it is impossible to predict the reaction of a young body to a strong oxidizing agent.

Effect on lice

Hydrogen peroxide
It would seem, what does the disinfecting property of the substance have to do with the fight against lice? Peroxide is the strongest oxidizing agent. It is capable of corroding the outer coverings of lice and penetrating inside. The active components destroy the insides of parasites in a few minutes.

Most of the insects die. There are also survivors. A certain part of them receives internal damage. Parasites are not able to lead a full life, the process of lice reproduction stops. The most persistent individuals continue to parasitize. The effectiveness of the method depends on compliance with all processing rules.

Peroxide cannot overcome the shells of nits. However, the active components of hydrogen peroxide destroy the structure of the sticky mucus, with the help of which the eggs are attached to the hair.

What safety measures need to be followed

The risk of negative effects of a substance on the skin can be reduced by taking the necessary precautions. Hydrogen peroxide should never be applied in pure undiluted form. In addition to water, you can add hair balm and lemon juice to the solution.

The prepared solution should be used immediately. You cannot keep the substance on your head for longer than the prescribed time, even if it is severely infested with parasites. In this case, it is better to re-treat after 1-2 weeks.

If your hair is very dry, you need to choose a different product to get rid of parasites. You don’t need to place too much hope on regular hair dyes. Contrary to existing misconceptions, these remedies are not effective enough and cannot be recommended.

What is hydrogen peroxide

A substance with the chemical formula H2O2 appeared in 1818 as a result of an experiment. Industrial production began in 1873 in Berlin. Since then, a detailed study of the properties of peroxide began. The compound is recognized as environmentally safe, since upon contact with liquid it decomposes into water and oxygen molecules.

Recipe for getting rid of lice using kerosene

Apply a mixture prepared from kerosene (1 tablespoon), shampoo (1 teaspoon) and olive oil (1 teaspoon) to dry hair. Then the head is covered with a polyethylene cap and wrapped in a towel. The mixture is applied to the hair for 1.5 hours, then washed off with warm water and washed with shampoo.

This method is valued for its high efficiency, but at the same time it must be used with extreme caution to prevent scalp burns.

Side effects

The product helps to effectively and quickly eliminate parasites. Negative manifestations most often occur due to non-compliance with precautions. The most common side effects:

excessive dryness of hair and scalp;
redness, itching and burning;
lightening strands by 1 or 2 tones;
allergy;
section, alopecia.

To avoid such negative reactions, you must first conduct a sensitivity test, do not use an oxidizing agent even on the slightest scratches, and do not exceed the duration of the procedure.

Prevention

Unfortunately, no remedy guarantees elimination of the risk of re-infection. In order to avoid the appearance of uninvited guests, preventive measures should be observed, namely:

• avoid close contact with a potentially infected person, especially for children who spend a lot of time together, “head to head”;
• regularly examine the head for infection;
• observe all rules of personal hygiene;
• use individual hair care products and personal hygiene items
• braid long hair into braids or ponytails.

If lice are detected in a child attending school or kindergarten, the educational institution must be informed about the parasites. The detection of parasites should be the basis for mass inspection and compliance with quarantine measures in order to avoid the risk of re-infection.

FAQ

Expert opinion

Eve

hair stylist

Ask a Question

Often, a lice infestation plunges modern people into shock, let alone parents who discover lice on their child. In this regard, a huge number of questions arise: is it possible to treat? How to treat? How to treat?

Can children use hydrogen peroxide against head lice?

Children's skin is much more delicate and sensitive than that of an adult, so the use of aggressive oxidizing agents such as peroxide is prohibited.

Is it possible to remove lice using chlorhexidine?

Chlorhexidine is a good antiseptic. They can disinfect surfaces and be used in some areas of medicine. But, unfortunately, it cannot help against lice. Its properties do not allow it to destroy parasites or at least somehow neutralize them.

Is there a dye with hydrogen peroxide for lice?

The good news for those who regularly use hair dye is that peroxide is contained in almost all hair dyes . Without this substance, the paint itself cannot adhere. Therefore, it will be convenient to combine business with pleasure: dye your hair in the usual way and at the same time get rid of the hated parasites.

Effective treatment

Various folk remedies can be considered as an alternative to more effective drugs only if it is not possible to obtain the necessary treatment.

Paranit is one of the most effective and safe anti-pediculosis drugs.
This is a new generation drug based on the action of the active substance, dimethicone. In combination with mineral oil, it has a detrimental effect on the respiratory system of parasites, completely cutting off their oxygen. As a result, blood-sucking insects die within one minute. Advantages of the drug "Paranit":

• does not leave the slightest chance for parasites to survive;
• available in various forms - sprays, shampoos, lotions;
• 10 minutes is enough to treat the head and hair;
• easy to apply and wash off;
• no restrictions for repeated use.

Unlike many folk remedies, Paranit Sensitive is approved for use by children, pregnant and lactating women.”

In order to quickly and safely get rid of lice and nits, you need to apply Paranit spray to your hair and wait for 15 minutes. The product does not cause discomfort or allergic reactions. After treatment, you need to wash your hair with shampoo and comb your hair with the comb included in the kit.

Contraindications

Like any medical product, hydrogen peroxide has contraindications for external use:

Children's skin is five times thinner than adults', making it extremely sensitive. Up to five years of age, the use of peroxide solution is prohibited, from 5 to 14 years of age, perhaps only after a positive sensitivity test result. We offer an overview of lice and nits products that are safe for children on our website.
If it comes into contact with any open wounds, the drug leaves burns and scars. Therefore, before using the solution, you need to carefully examine the scalp for wounds.
For those who naturally have dry and brittle hair, it is better to use more gentle means to treat head lice.

Pediculosis: symptoms

The first symptoms can be felt within two days after infection. You can determine whether you are at risk of lice if:

unbearable itching appeared on the scalp, neck and ears;
in places where it itches constantly, a scattering of gray spots appears;
small wounds form at the bite sites when infection occurs;
dandruff increases - in addition to exfoliated pieces of skin, lice nits also look like this;
pediculosis causes complications in the lymph nodes behind the ears;
in severe cases, suppuration of the patient’s scalp is observed.

Relapsing fever, typhus, and Volyn fever are often transmitted through lice. The optimal conditions for lice to appear are poor personal hygiene.

To find out if you have lice, comb your hair over a light-colored cloth.