Table of contents:
- Why do lice in hair make it itchy?
- Head lice do not go away without treatment
- How to deal with head lice?
Curse hair is not only embarrassing, it is also very irritating because the itching is excruciating and difficult to eradicate. Head lice often attack children, but it does not rule out the possibility that adults can have lice in the hair. So, if you get head lice, do you have to treat it or can head lice go away on their own?
Why do lice in hair make it itchy?
Fleas are parasites that are very small, almost invisible to the naked eye. Head lice must be on the scalp to survive. The reason is, the condition of the warm scalp is the ideal home for these lice to breed.
Head lice can survive by sucking your blood. This is the reason why curly hair can feel itchy. The way fleas suck blood is much like how mosquitoes bite the skin and cause bumps. Head lice can cause an itchy head, especially at night. This can then lead to an infection of the scalp.
Head lice do not go away without treatment
Some people believe that it is possible for head lice to go away on their own. Head lice can sometimes go away on their own when they are adults and eventually die.
Moreover, the use of repeated anti-flea shampoos in the long term is strongly suspected to cause the lice to become more resistant. So, many are reluctant to use it and choose to just let the lice in their hair live freely until they die on their own.
However, head lice do not go away without treatment. Lice that have died will certainly leave eggs that will hatch and mature, and continue to reproduce to produce offspring. This cycle continues to rotate, so head lice do not go away on their own if left untreated.
Typically, lice can last up to 30 days on the head. Reporting from Kids Health, lice can produce up to eight eggs a day. Hiiyyy… Just imagine if the curled hair was left untreated. How many lice will there be invading your scalp, in just a week?
Therefore, if you or someone around you has curly hair, you should immediately treat it thoroughly so that the lice quickly disappear and do not spread to other people.
How to deal with head lice?
If your head continues to itch and when you see a lot of tiny white droplets (nits) sticking to your hair and you find tiny lice walking around your scalp, you may have head lice. This must be handled quickly. With proper care, head lice usually go away in about two weeks.
The most effective way to get rid of head lice is to use an anti-flea medication that contains permethrin and pyrethrin. There are many anti-flea medicinal products on the market, either in the form of shampoos, oils, creams, or special lotions. You can buy it at a pharmacy or drug store without having to use a doctor's prescription. However, you will need to repeat the treatment within 7-10 days to kill any new lice that may have hatched after the first treatment. Follow the directions for use listed on each package, do not use this drug carelessly.
But, ask first whether the drug can be used for children. Some head lice medications may be dangerous if used by children.
There are also many alternative ways to get rid of head lice. For example, by applying natural essential oils that are proven to be effective against head lice, such as coconut oil, menthol oil, eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, rosemary oil, anise oil, nutmeg oil, olive oil, and peppermint oil. The next day, comb your damp hair with a serit comb (tight tooth comb), then wash it with shampoo, rinse, and repeat. Remember, combing your hair is very important to get rid of lice in your hair. This is one of the treatments to get rid of head lice quickly.
Finally, it is important to avoid head-to-head contact with other people while on the move. Do not share personal items such as combs, hairbrushes, pillows, blankets, clothing, etc. to prevent transmission of head lice.
