Head Lice And Our Communities

By Author: M. Gordon.
Total Articles: 6
Comment this article

Head lice affects millions of people each every year. It is thought to afflict one in every 100 school aged children (mostly between the ages of 4-11) every year.

Head lice affects millions of people each every year. It is thought to afflict one in every 100 school aged children (mostly between the ages of 4-11) every year. Although it runs rampant through our school systems, day cares and summer camps, as a community, we still feel embarrassed and ashamed when we are personally affected.

Annually, millions of dollars are spent on doctor’s visits, shampoo for lice and treatment of lice, as well as lice combs and lice prevention products. Children found to have head lice miss days of school and parents miss work in turn. Some children are repeatedly sent home from school with lice and or nits, causing them to fall behind.

It is impossible to stop the spread of head lice. But some education about the nature of head lice, and head lice prevention tips are helpful (also learning about what kills lice).

Head lice are a human parasite that feed on human blood for survival. Usually several mature lice ...
... will transfer onto a child’s head from another child’s head through close physical contact. Lice are wingless and thus do not fly or jump. They are, however, very fast moving on the hair. Mature lice will mate every 3-4 hours. The female louse will deposit 3-10 eggs, or nits each day. The tiny nits (about the size of a pin head) are attached onto a single hair shaft very close to the scalp so they can incubate. After approximately 7 days, the nits will hatch and baby lice will emerge. They are called nymphs. 14 days later, the nymphs have become mature and will begin mating as well. Lice have a life span of about one month.

Head lice prefer clean hair, so it is a myth that head lice are caused by being “dirty.” Head lice do not discriminate and love rich people as much as people who are less fortunate. Children should be taught not to share hairbrushes and other hair items. They should also be told not to pass their hats around, or try on hats in stores. More importantly, children should always wear long hair up in a bun or tight braid to school or camp. They should be reminded to keep their head to themselves!

The best approach to a safe lice cure is to purchase a natural shampoo for lice and use it every few days for two full weeks. An effective natural shampoo for head lice will contain enzymes that break down the hard shell of the bug and kill it (and loosen the glue of the eggs). One should also purchase a metal nit comb and comb through the hair daily to remove the eggs. If head lice is treated thoroughly in this manner (Natural shampoo for lice and nit removal for a full 14 days)

Shampoo for lice and lice spray contains pesticide poisons such as Pyrethrins, Piperonyl Butoxide, Malathion, Permethrin or Lindane should be avoided at all cost. These ingredients are dangerous and have actually made the spread of lice more rampant as lice have become resistant.
Resource: http://www.happyheadsproducts.com/