3 Reasons Why Head Lice Removal Treatments Are Successful

It’s one of the worst feelings in the world when you discover that one or several of your children have contracted an infestation of head lice. Probably the only thing worse is when you discover the itchy, crawly feeling of lice on your own scalp.

Please don’t feel bad or like you have done something wrong, such as not being clean enough -- or that maybe your home is not as clean as you thought it was. The fact is that 6 to 12 million people are infected with lice in the United States every year. No one is immune, no matter what your social status or economic level.

The good news is that the head lice treatments available for an infestation are extremely effective. There are three primary reasons why modern lice treatments are so effective. Let’s take a look:

1. Effective Medications Are Available

Modern science has developed safe and easy-to-use applications that will rid people of lice. It’s important to note two distinct categories of lice treatment options.

a. Over-the-counter (OTC) products

These are products sold at any local drug store. You do not need a doctor’s prescription to obtain them and use them. The active ingredients in these treatment solutions are pyrethrins and permethrin. They work well in most cases, although frequent use by millions of people has rendered some of these products less effective. That’s because lice can develop resistance to them.

b. Prescription Lice Treatments

These are the kinds of treatments you get from a doctor and need a prescription to get at a pharmacy. Prescription formulations contain more advanced lice-killing agents, such as ivermectin and Spinosad. They are extremely effective. If used as directed, these products will eliminate your problems with lice.

2. Physical Removal

Another reason lice treatment is effective is that professionals recommend physical removal of lice and “baby lice” called “nits.” That usually means combing wet hair with a very fine-toothed comb. This process is done after using an OTC or prescription treatment to kill lice.

Combing for lice should be done two to three times a day for up to several weeks. It’s important to note that professionals recommend not skipping a thorough combing regimen daily after treatment with effective topical applications.

3. More Treatments and Prevention

In addition to medicines and physical removal, some people choose to go the extra mile by applying hot air treatments. This is accomplished with a specially designed machine that applies heated air to the scalp. The heat will kill any remaining lice and their nits. To undergo this type of therapy, seek a professional provider as recommended by your health care professional.

Prevention is also a worthy idea. If you or your child is in contact with a lice-rich environment, such as at their school or daycare, you may want to consider using special shampoos formulated with lice-suppressing ingredients.

Be Sure to Follow Instructions

Of course, all treatments are only as good as how well you apply them. Follow instructions to the letter, don’t cut corners, and be vigilant even after treatment. An example is continued combing and removal.

The bottom line is that you can win the battle against lice by using readily available products, OTC or prescription, and by adopting common-sense prevention methods.