Removing nits from hair is, generally speaking, a more difficult task than simply treating lice on the head. If adult insects die relatively quickly from insecticidal shampoos, sprays and creams, then nits not only turn out to be resistant to most of these drugs, but, in addition, even with direct mechanical action, they can only be torn off from the hair with great effort. The fact is that over many centuries of evolution and parasitism on humans, lice have learned to attach nits to the hair so firmly that tearing them off can be more difficult than tearing out the hair itself. Such reliable attachment of eggs significantly increases the chances of future offspring of parasites to survive.
Removing nits can also be problematic for the reason that even when using powerful insecticidal preparations that can destroy the louse embryo in the egg itself, the nits themselves do not fall off from the hair. Even when dead, they continue to hang on the hair and create an unkempt appearance.
Therefore, you need to be prepared that even after using highly effective lice remedies, you will have to remove nits from your hair mechanically. However, there is no need to be scared - this work can also be made significantly easier.
This is interesting
The photo below clearly shows what a nit is. This is an egg in a special capsule that envelops long lengths of hair. Such a capsule is formed from special mucus secreted by the oviduct of the female louse and quickly hardens in air. Even when the nit larva hatches, the shell (dry nit) continues to hang on the hair for a very long time.
So, let's look at some effective methods that can make removing nits from hair much easier.
What do head lice and nits look like and the symptoms of their appearance?
Lice infect only hairy areas of the body . The parasites do not have wings, but they move quite quickly - in 60 seconds they easily cover a distance of 20 cm, which is a fairly significant indicator for such sizes.
The size of an adult does not exceed 4 mm. Parasites have an elongated, almost transparent body, but after saturation they acquire a bright red, almost scarlet color. In the process of saturation, individuals increase significantly in size.
IMPORTANT! Adult lice feed at least 2 times a day, and larvae - from 5 to 8 times. At the same time, the parasite is capable of drinking up to 0.7 ml of blood.
Nits are lice eggs, their size does not exceed 1 mm . Externally, they are an elongated capsule coated with a special adhesive substance, with the help of which the egg is attached to human hair. Such an egg matures completely after 7-14 days, and parasite larvae are born, the appearance of which is as close as possible to the appearance of adult individuals.
The appearance of lice is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Severe itching.
- The appearance of inflammation and ulcers resulting from scratching.
- Sleep disturbance.
- Increased irritability.
- Enlarged lymph nodes.
Methods of destruction. Mechanical
To quickly remove nits from your hair, the first thing you need to do is thoroughly comb your hair with a very fine comb. This will help physically collect most of the eggs. Special combs and combs can be purchased at the pharmacy.
Their teeth are somewhat longer and thinner than usual, and the comfortable handle has a special shape. You need to comb for as long as necessary until you are sure that there are practically no nits. Of course, this method will not provide a 100% guarantee of deliverance. Lice eggs stick very firmly to the hair, but this most effective remedy will greatly simplify further treatment.
How to get rid of nits on long hair
You can get rid of pediculosis in different ways, both in special institutions operating on the basis of sanitary and epidemiological stations, and at home. With an abundance of freely available products that help combat this problem, the choice is most often made in favor of home treatment.
Treatment methods for head lice can be divided into 3 categories, depending on the method of exposure:
- Mechanical (combing and shaving bald).
- Chemical (using shampoos, sprays and pharmaceuticals).
- Mixed (imply a combination of mechanical and chemical effects).
How to remove lice from long hair
Scallops
A variety of combs for combing out parasites have long been used to treat head lice. Modern models are small in size, ergonomic, and have long, frequent teeth with notches that help remove parasites.
In order to avoid possible damage to the skin, the teeth have rounded ends.
Such devices can be used as an independent means of treatment, or in an auxiliary role after the use of chemicals - shampoos, sprays, etc.
Combs are indispensable in the treatment of this disease, since most chemicals only affect adults and do not affect nits.
IMPORTANT! The complex effect will help get rid of parasites as quickly and effectively as possible.
Shampoos
Shampoos designed to combat lice contain special active ingredients that are poisonous to parasites, but not dangerous to humans.
The main components of such shampoos may be:
- Permethrin. It has a paralytic effect on the nervous system of parasitic individuals.
- Essential oils. They do not destroy parasites, but are able to scare them off with a pungent odor, and also significantly facilitate the combing process, having an oily structure.
- Dimethicone. Liquid silicone that blocks the respiratory system of insects.
The effectiveness of shampoos directly depends on the correct use of them. The basic rules are:
- Single use. It is unacceptable to use the product more than once every 7-10 days.
- Before use, be sure to test for an allergic reaction .
- A tight bandage should be applied to the forehead - this precaution will prevent toxic agents from getting into the eyes.
- After application, the hair should be covered with film for the time indicated in the instructions.
- After application, the strands must be thoroughly rinsed with regular shampoo and combed out dead insects and nits.
The most popular brands are:
- Medifox.
- Pedilin.
- Paranit.
- Veda-2.
- Anti-bit.
Sprays
Sprays are the most effective and modern drugs for the treatment of head lice . They are an oily liquid that is bottled by the manufacturer with spray nozzles, which greatly facilitates the process of applying the product. The main active ingredients are:
- Dimethicone.
- Insecticides.
- Essential oils.
The most popular are:
- Lavinal.
- Nyuda.
- Para Plus.
- Spregal.
Ointments
Lice creams and ointments are the most commonly used products and are also the cheapest. Their effectiveness has been proven, however, the main disadvantage of this form of drugs is the complexity of application. The most popular means are:
- Nittifor. The active ingredient is permethrin, which affects both adults and larvae.
- Benzyl benzoate. Very toxic, used under specialist supervision. It affects only adults; parasite eggs are not sensitive to this drug.
- Knicks. Affects parasites at any stage of development, approved for use in children.
Pills
The action of tablets against lice is based on the fact that the main food of lice is human blood. In this case, the saturation of parasites with toxic substances occurs through the bloodstream.
Such pharmaceutical preparations are safe for humans; harm is caused only to blood-sucking insects.
IMPORTANT! This method of treating head lice is effective and safe only if the conditions for taking the drug and dosage are met.
Common means are:
- Ivermectin.
- Albendazole.
- Levamisole.
- Butadion.
Features of germs
Sometimes the egg contains a dead embryo, in some cases it is not developed at all. But no matter what “filling” the nits have, they must be removed from the hair. First you need to understand how to distinguish living nits from non-living ones.
If you take a parasite egg and crush it between your nails, you will hear a characteristic click. This is a living larva. Accordingly, if you perform the same manipulation with a dead body, you will not hear any click.
In addition, the dead differ in color - most often they are gray. Any lice eggs should be removed as quickly as possible. Since the louse feeds on blood, “biting” into the scalp, it lays the bulk of its eggs at a distance of 1-2 cm from the surface of the skin.
It is only later, with movement and other physical factors, that the eggs spread along the entire length of the hair. It must be understood that the dead must be removed as immediately as the living.
You could have made a mistake in identification, or, relying on a medicinal lotion, you decided that everyone was dead and would fall off on their own. This is far from true. Their shells will remain on your hair if you don’t take any measures.
Folk remedies against nits and lice
Folk remedies for the fight against pediculosis do not lose their popularity even with the abundance of modern means available.
Vinegar
The use of this substance to control insects is effective due to its pungent odor and pungent properties. Vinegar does not kill lice, but under the influence of a toxic substance, insects become much slower, which makes them easier to remove by mechanical means. Vinegar has no effect on parasite eggs, but it effectively destroys the adhesive substance with which the eggs are attached to the hair. This makes it easy to remove parasites even from long hair.
IMPORTANT! It is acceptable to use all types of vinegar, but it is worth remembering the concentration of the substance - it should not exceed 9%. Otherwise, the product may cause chemical burns to the skin.
In order to achieve maximum effect, vinegar must be applied to the hair in the form of an aqueous solution. To prepare it, 80 ml of vinegar is mixed with 160 warm water.
Tar soap
The effectiveness of this product has been proven many times . Adults and nymphs are affected by the specific aroma of soap, and benzene and phenol, which are part of the product, affect nits, burning and affecting their nervous system. Before use, the bar should be grated on a coarse grater and soaked in a small amount of hot water until a homogeneous mass is obtained, resembling thick shampoo in appearance. After this, a tar mass is applied to damp hair and is not washed off for 40-50 minutes. In order to cure pediculosis, two sessions with a difference of 7 days are enough.
Kerosene
This method of combating blood-sucking insects is outdated, but its effectiveness has also been confirmed by experts . Kerosene is really harmful to parasites:
- The substances contained in the composition are poisonous to adults and larvae.
- Kerosene destroys the adhesive mass and weakens the attachment of nits to the hairs.
- The pungent odor repels insects.
IMPORTANT! The high ability of kerosene to penetrate fatty tissue can be fraught with chemical burns to the skin and significant deterioration of hair. That is why experts recommend using more gentle methods of combating head lice.
If you nevertheless decide to use kerosene to fight insects, pay attention to the type of substance - it is permissible to use only lighting or technical kerosene . All other varieties are more aggressive and their use can be dangerous.
Mechanical method of combating larvae
All you need is a special thick comb and no chemicals. Therefore, this method of struggle is considered the safest for health, but at the same time it requires a lot of time and considerable effort.
In the retail chain today, combs are represented by products from various manufacturers. Among them, the most popular brands are:
- RobiComb
- NitFree
- LiceGuard
- AntiV
Some of them are sold separately, others come complete with pediculicidal shampoos, which greatly facilitate the process of combing out nits from long hair.
Combing your hair with a comb for 5-6 days ensures almost complete elimination of pests
The mechanical method of removing parasites involves thorough combing. But first you need to wet your head and divide the wet hair into small strands. Each of them is combed from roots to tips several times. It is best to carry out the procedure over a bathtub, but it can also be done over a sheet, from which dead parasites can be shaken off outside.
You can't rush in this matter. Therefore, if you choose the mechanical method, get ready for a long and thorough combing of each strand. The task is somewhat simplified by using combs together with insecticidal preparations that have ovicidal properties. Although dead larvae are not very easily removed.
The AntiV brand comb is considered the most effective due to its unique design, although products from many other manufacturers are not much inferior to it in terms of effectiveness.
On the domestic market you can find another model - electronic. But they are in no way superior to ordinary combs, except for their high price. And besides, they have a narrower canvas. And you’ll have to think about how to comb out nits with their help.
Whichever of the combs on sale today you choose, get ready to use it twice a day for two weeks. Moreover, after the first time, the number of parasites removed will be maximum, but most of them will not be alive. As the procedure continues, the number of insects and larvae will decrease and after 10 days after daily combing, they may not remain at all.
How to remove lice and nits from a child’s long hair
The problem of head lice in children is extremely acute, since children are extremely actively in contact with the outside world. It is under the age of 13 that lice most often attack a child and cause a lot of trouble to his parents.
Standard methods and folk remedies against pediculosis in children
Pediculosis in children is most often treated:
- Pharmaceuticals. The most popular means are: Nicks and Reed. Using these shampoos the first time kills all living individuals and dissolves the glue surrounding the nits.
- Sprays and ointments. Drugs such as Couple Plus and Nuda most often prescribed by dermatologists. Apply to dry hair, and after the specified time, wash off with warm water.
- Traditional methods. Can be used: vinegar wrap in a ratio of 1 to 2.5 and application of tar soap. These methods are effective in combating parasites and are safe for children.
- Mechanical methods. Combing with special combs is the most effective and frequently used way to combat lice. Their use allows you to get rid of nits and adult individuals, especially after using specialized shampoos.
The method is traditional, folk: grandma’s methods still work!
Among the folk methods of fighting lice, there are a number of quite effective means that really help remove adult lice and nits. For example, such products include kerosene, vinegar, hellebore water, cranberry juice and hydrogen peroxide - these products, in addition to being toxic to adult insects, also soften the shell of nits.
Even if the nit survives after this, it will simply fall off the hair. After this, you can shake it off your head, wash it off or comb it out with a comb.
It is also useful to read: Prevention from lice and nits infestation
And one more thing: You need to know the enemy by sight - detailed photographs of lice and nits (including macro photography). It's a terrible thing...
However, almost all folk remedies have serious contraindications and can cause harm if used incorrectly. For example:
- Kerosene and vinegar, when left on the skin for a long time, cause chemical burns, and the hair itself smells unpleasant afterward and may begin to fall out.
- Hydrogen peroxide with short exposure leads to hair bleaching, and with prolonged exposure it can cause allergies and burns.
- Hellebore water is considered quite allergenic.
But remedies such as a decoction of wormwood or tansy for lice are not very effective - they do not destroy parasites, but only repel them, and therefore can only be used to prevent infection.
A combination of folk remedies with combs can be effective against nits, when the nits fall off after the dissolving effect of the product, and then are combed out with a comb.
Folk remedies, perhaps, have the only advantage over specialized lice preparations - they are inexpensive.
How long should treatment last and which doctor should I contact?
Doctors who can help solve the problem are a trichologist, a dermatologist, as well as a local therapist and pediatrician. These specialists will help you choose the most effective and safe means of combating lice.
Treatment of head lice can take from several hours to 14 – 18 days. The duration of the process directly depends on the severity of the disease and the number of parasites.
Have you consulted a doctor if you have head lice?
Not really
Combing process
Let's take a closer look at the process that occurs after treatment with drugs, whether pharmaceutical or folk - combing.
After washing your hair with special products, lice and nits can be removed with a special comb. This is a rather lengthy and labor-intensive process. Since it is necessary to comb strand by strand very carefully. If you have long hair, then read our article on how to comb out parasites in this case.
The most difficult thing to comb out are nits, the so-called lice eggs, which stick very strongly to the hair.
This procedure will take just one of your days so that your beautiful hair finds peace and tranquility. Combing is the most crucial moment on which the outcome of the entire treatment depends.
When combing, it is important to clean the comb of nits (rinse in water, remove with a napkin) after each treated strand. Otherwise, they will move from one strand to the comb, and from an uncleaned comb to another strand.
And so on ad infinitum.
Prevention of head lice
Precautionary measures that will significantly reduce the likelihood of infection:
- Regular washing of the body and head.
- Change of clothes.
- Handling wardrobe items – washing and ironing items.
- Hygiene items must be inviolable for other people.
- Close contact with other people should be avoided.
- Regular cleaning of upholstered furniture, curtains, and outerwear.
- Use of disposable caps in baths and swimming pools.
How to avoid re-infection
Upon recovery, you must do the following:
- Inspect the hair of all family members for lice.
- Vacuum the floor and do a general cleaning of the house, disinfecting furniture and work surfaces.
- You should also wash your towels, bed linen and clothes in hot water.
To avoid becoming infected with lice again, you should follow simple rules:
- Use only your own comb and do not give it to anyone.
- Avoid direct contact with other people's hair.
- Do not use other people's hats and hair accessories.
- After visiting the pool, wash your hair, blow dry it and comb it thoroughly.
- Using essential oils of rosemary, lavender, and eucalyptus are excellent lice repellents. It is enough to add 1-2 drops of any of them to a portion of shampoo for washing your hair. It is useful to improve with a couple of drops of one of these oils and rinse water.
It is difficult to deal with nits on long hair, but you can fight it.
You just need to be patient and diligent - and the result will not be long in coming. And preventive measures will help you forget about such problems as lice and nits forever.
FAQ
Expert opinion
Alexandra Valerievna
Doctor-Trichologist
Is it possible to get rid of nits using a hair straightener?
Yes, you can. Lice die immediately as soon as a hot object is passed through the strands. The normal heating temperature of the device is effective in controlling parasites.
Can lice appear on colored hair?
They can. Lice feed on blood and hair color does not matter to them. In addition, modern dyeing products do not contain aggressive active ingredients that can harm parasites.
At what temperature do lice and nits die in humans?
Adults die at temperatures above 54 degrees and below 13. Temperatures below 20 degrees and above 60 are destructive for nits.
How to avoid getting lice from another person?
- Maintain hygiene of body, clothing and premises.
- Do not use other people's things, clothes, combs, etc.
- Use essential oils of tea tree, lavender, etc.
- Use caps when visiting swimming pools and baths.
Anyone can become infected with lice, because, unfortunately, there are still no vaccinations against this disease . Children who actively explore the world around them are especially vulnerable to parasites. That is why experts recommend regular hair inspections, and if insects are found, immediately contact a specialist. Doctors will help you choose the most effective and safe means of combating lice and create a treatment plan.
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Chemical method: we use modern technologies
The easiest way to remove lice from hair is with the help of modern pediculicidal preparations. Among them there are sprays, creams, shampoos, lotions, emulsions. However, these drugs for the most part do not have an effect against nits, with the exception of certain drugs that contain insecticides with a specific action - such substances penetrate the nit shell and destroy the embryo in the egg.
Drugs effective against nits include, for example, Pedilin shampoo, Para-Plus aerosol, Medilis Malathion emulsion. Before destroying lice and nits using these products, you must carefully read the instructions for use and comply with all safety requirements.
Anti-lice chemicals are applied to the hair in a manner suggested by its shape. The drug is kept for the time allowed by the instructions and then washed off. As a rule, this treatment must be repeated after a week to destroy the larvae hatching from nits that survived the first treatment.
On a note
Some anti-lice creams and shampoos may not wash off the first time, and you have to rinse your hair multiple times.
More effective is the combination of chemical and mechanical methods: after the first treatment with any preparation, the hair, still damp after rinsing, is combed out with a comb.
This is how inhibited (weakened) but not dead lice and some nits are removed from the head. If after a single treatment with the drug the head is combed out for three to four days, then it is usually possible to avoid repeated use of the product.
In general, you need to understand that any pediculicidal products only destroy lice, but do not remove dead insects from the hair. You need to remove dead parasites from your head either with a comb (you can use a simple, but thick one) or by washing your hair frequently for a week.
