Lice are small blood-sucking parasites, which, depending on the type, are localized in the scalp, intimate areas, and on clothing. Due to the tiny size, it is impossible to identify bloodsuckers at the initial stage of the disease. At first, when the population is small, a person sometimes does not even know about the presence of lice. Because of this, pediculosis is often found in a medical facility or during emergency hospitalization at the initial admission. How do employees of medical institutions act in such cases, how is treatment for head lice carried out and whether the patient's consent to the procedure is needed.
Fight against head lice using chemical methods for the destruction of parasites
Overcrowding, unsanitary living conditions, irregular use of a shower or bath, and a rare change of linen create conditions for the development of head lice. Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene is the main component of individual prevention of head lice. For this purpose, it is recommended:
- keeping body and hair clean,
- regular hair trimming,
- change of underwear and bed linen (at least once a week or 10 days),
- regular cleaning of outerwear,
- do not use other people's combs, hairpins, scarves, hats and clothes,
- in crowded places, do not walk with loose hair,
- thoroughly and regularly clean the apartment,
- conduct regular examinations of children and other family members for head lice, especially after a long absence,
- if necessary, carry out preventive sanitization - washing and disinsection (destruction of arthropods).
A complex of hygienic measures is also carried out in organized groups in order to prevent the occurrence of an outbreak of head lice.
Fig. 6. In the photo there are head lice.
Fig. 11. Combing out lice and nits is a mechanical method of removing parasites.
Physical methods are used to kill lice. Hot water, dry hot and humidified air, freezing are methods used to combat body lice.
- Freezing kills lice within 1 day.
- At an air temperature of minus 13 ° C, lice die, and at a temperature of minus 25 ° C, eggs of parasites die.
- Boiling for 20 to 90 minutes kills parasites.
- Body lice are killed by hot steam.
- When processing things in a disinfection chamber, parasites die from dry or moist hot air and steam.
Fig. 12. Reliable disinfection for pediculosis is provided by disinfection chambers.
For the destruction of lice, chemicals are also used - insecticides. The chemical method today is the main one in the destruction of parasites. Means containing insecticides are used to combat head lice, pubic and body lice, as well as to carry out disinsection of things and premises in the centers of pediculosis.
Products containing permethrin and organophosphorus compounds Medifox, Medifox Super, Avicin and Para Plus aerosol are 100% ovicidal - they kill lice and eggs in one application. When using other drugs, it is necessary to re-process.
The most popular today are Medifox, Medifox Super, Avicin, Higia, Nittifor, Nyx, NOC, Veda-2, Reed, A-Par, Pax, Anti-Bit, Pedilin, Para Plus, Medilis Super, Para Plus, Full Marks, Paranit , Nyuda, Pedikullin, Ultra, Benzyl benzoate.
Fig. 13. There are more than 20 lice remedies on sale in pharmacies. About 70% of them are based on synthetic pyrethrins, which are toxic chemicals (insecticides) used to kill insects.
Prophylaxis
To prevent possible infection of adults and children with lice in crowded places, it is very important to adhere to the following recommendations:
- Wash your hair thoroughly at least once a week.
- Change underwear daily and bedding weekly.
- It is recommended to wash the linen with boiling, and after drying it must be thoroughly ironed.
- Hair should be brushed regularly and trimmed periodically.
- Regularly check all your family members for head lice.
- Clean your outer clothing periodically.
- Learn not to use other people's belongings, underwear, and personal care products.
- The room you are in should be cleaned regularly.
- Clothes and headwear must be washed and ironed before wearing.
These rules will prevent not only head lice, but also a number of other dermatological diseases that can spread in a large team.
Algorithm of actions during processing
Disinsection measures when head lice are detected are carried out by the medical personnel of an enterprise or institution. If the disease has arisen at home, then the treatment is carried out by the population, after the instructions. A random check is carried out by employees of the sanitary and epidemiological service. Measures for detecting head lice are regulated by order No. 342 of November 26, 1998 "On strengthening measures to prevent typhus and fight head lice."
Sanitization
Treatment of a patient with head lice is carried out in a polyclinic. You must first get his consent. The room in which the procedure is carried out must be well ventilated. At the same time, it should not be carried out for pregnant women, women in labor and nursing mothers, as well as children until they reach 5 years of age.
Treatment of the scalp with head lice is performed as follows:
- The hair is moistened with a small amount of water heated to a temperature of 38 ° C.
- Hair treatment is carried out with an anti-lice preparation.
- The hair is covered with a plastic kerchief, and a cloth one is put on over it. The procedure takes 20 minutes.
- Then washed with warm water and rinsed with vinegar (6% or 9%).
- Combing is performed with a comb with frequent teeth.
- Rinse again and dry with a towel.
- Washed hair is inspected for nits. If their number is small, then they are removed mechanically. In case there are a lot of nits, the head is treated with a solution of 9% vinegar, again cover the head with a scarf for 20 minutes. Repeated disinsection is carried out. You do not need to dry your hair with a hairdryer, since heat reduces the healing effect of the drugs.
- At the end of the procedure, the patient's linen and clothes are sent to the disinsection chamber.
Do not use a comb before pest control. Clothes and household items used by the patient must also be treated with anti-lice preparations.
The comb used for the disinfestation is poured over with boiling water or 70% alcohol. If an infection has occurred with mixed, clothing or pubic lice, then the clothes are boiled in a solution of soda for 15 minutes. After processing, you need to iron it with an iron.
Reprocessing
It is known that there is no drug that can kill nits. Therefore, even after carefully carrying out their mechanical removal, it cannot be guaranteed that nits are not left in the hair. To avoid relapse, 2 weeks after the initial treatment, re-treatment is carried out for head lice. The methodology is no different from the first stage.
Pediculosis is a very dangerous disease. The risk of infection upon contact with the wearer reaches 90%, and when using common things and hair care items reaches 100%
Therefore, it is very important to follow the rules of personal hygiene, not to use other people's combs and clothes.
Necessary tools and devices
For processing, the following materials and accessories are required:
- two packs for medical personnel, including a dressing gown, gloves, kerchiefs;
- a cape or drape for a patient, a plastic and cotton kerchief;
- hair clipper, scissors;
- Shaver;
- a comb with often spaced teeth for combing out lice and nits;
- pelvis;
- bags - cotton and plastic;
- shampoo, soap;
- table vinegar;
- anti-lice remedy.
Lice and nits sanitization
Sanitization is a series of measures that must be performed by a doctor and other medical personnel in case they are alone in their office with a patient with head lice.
First of all, the doctor does not have the right to react to the patient in an inappropriate way, the patient really should warn the doctor about the suspicion of an ailment from the very beginning of the appointment. Further, the doctor acts as follows:
- Psychological preparation of the patient begins for the fact that the primary treatment of pediculosis in the admission department will now be carried out, because in this case it is not possible to hesitate.
- The doctor puts on a disposable gown, sterile gloves and a cap on his head to avoid further infection, since there are no head lice vaccinations.
- A person is seated on a chair with an oilcloth pre-laid on it, and it also spreads on the floor to avoid contamination of subsequent patients.
- Next, a remedy is selected for treating a patient with pediculosis, all the characteristics of the patient are taken into account, including the age of the person and the period of pregnancy in women.
- Treatment of areas affected by lice and nits is carried out, sometimes the help of a nurse is required. During this period, the premises are closed, and the admission to it of strangers is strictly prohibited.
- After processing, the doctor makes a mark "P" on the patient's medical record, which means that he was diagnosed with head lice. The physician is obliged to report the incident to a special institution according to the law.
As a rule, relatives bring a change of clothes to the patient or he is provided with a hospital gown.
Further, the treatment from the lice of the room is carried out: the floors and walls are washed with special means and the quartzing of the office or the treatment room follows. At this time, other patients are also strictly prohibited from entering the premises.
Head treatment
Most often, head lice is diagnosed on the skin and hair of the patient's head. This can be explained quite simply: lice jump from an infected person to a healthy one, mainly in crowded places.
For the treatment of the scalp, when head lice is detected, special shampoos and creams for lice are used, which are not contraindicated for any reason to the patient. Initially, the head of a sick person is wetted and, according to the instructions, an anti-pediculosis agent is applied to it.
This is mainly done with a comb, which is subsequently treated with a 70-degree alcohol solution. Disregard of this rule is considered unacceptable. Treatment of the scalp with head lice should be done with great care, so doctors trust it.
Modern remedies for lice have already proven their effectiveness, with their correct use, you can get rid of parasites at the very first disinfecting event.
Garment processing
Lice treatment of clothing is an integral part of head lice treatment. The fact is that if you neglect this procedure, re-infection of the patient and the primary infection of those around him are simply guaranteed.
If for some reason the linen cannot be immersed in very hot water, it is advised to buy a special spray to treat clothes from lice.As a rule, the emulsion is evenly sprayed over the entire tissue and then the instructions for use prescribed for each product are followed.
The focus of the disease at school
There are many cases when several children in the school team are immediately infected with parasites. A large focus of head lice at school is considered to be the number of patients from 3 people.
Procedure for a large head lice focus in the classroom:
Actions are similar when a large focus of the disease is found in a kindergarten or boarding school. It is thanks to the joint actions of doctors, parents and teachers that it is possible to overcome head lice in the children's team.
The procedure itself
Treatment of patients with head lice should be carried out according to the instructions. The health worker must inform the patient about the diagnosis
It is important to establish contact with the person before proceeding with the procedure. Describe the progress and purpose of the treatment
The therapeutic measure is carried out only after the patient has been informed about hair cutting and further processing.
No haircut
The event is held in a specially designated room. The couch is covered with a film, after which the patient is seated. The shoulders are covered with a special cape. Wear appropriate clothing for processing.
Pediculocidal fluid is applied to the entire head. After that, the head is covered with a polyethylene kerchief and tied with an additional towel. The substance is left for a while. Each drug takes 30 minutes to an hour. The instructions will definitely indicate this item.
Then you need to wash your hair with warm water with the addition of shampoo. Next, dry with a previously prepared towel.
Comb the hair with a comb. To do this, you should bend over the basin, the bottom of which should be covered with paper in advance. Combing should be accompanied by the separation of the strands and careful processing of each. The patient's head is then examined to determine if there are still lice left.
Completion of the procedure
- the paper over which the combing was carried out is burned in the can;
- put the patient's clothes together with underwear in an oilcloth bag. Do the same with the nurse's clothes;
- the patient changes into new clothes;
- the oilcloth bag is sent to the chamber for disinfection;
- the hygienic solution is applied to the comb. It can also be alcohol;
- after that, the room is disinfected;
- upon completion of the procedure, the nurse makes a note on the title page of the patient's medical history. The data is also recorded in the head lice examination log.
After the procedure, allergic manifestations in the form of burning or itching are possible.
Head lice detection and disinsection - detailed algorithm
Hair treatment for head lice
The actions of a nurse with head lice include determining the degree of infection, the selection of an effective remedy. Initially, it is necessary to complete the preparatory measures:
- a couch, a chair, where hair treatment for head lice will take place, is covered with oilcloth;
- a dressing gown is put on the patient or a sheet is thrown over, a tourniquet from a scarf is tied along the hairline;
- the health worker puts on a gown, rubber gloves so as not to get sick;
- prepares everything you need - shampoo, head lice remedy, comb, vinegar, basin.
We offer you to familiarize yourself with: Ultrasound of the ovaries and uterus: how the procedure is carried out in women and on which day of the cycle is it better to carry it out
The treatment algorithm for head lice provides for the removal of head lice, combing out nits. Additionally, pest control of personal belongings is carried out. The room must be well ventilated. It is necessary to act as follows:
- Prepare a solution in the required amount according to the instructions.
- Hair is divided into strands, each is processed separately.Try not to get on the scalp.
- Long hair is wrapped in a bun.
- Put a plastic bag over your hair, or a special hat.
- Withstand the time necessarily according to the instructions.
- Wash off the composition.
- Prepare a solution with the addition of vinegar, rinse the hair, put on a plastic cap again, and leave for 15 minutes.
- Wash your hair again, dry it slightly with a towel.
The further treatment scheme for the patient provides for the combing procedure. Preparation consists in choosing a suitable place, the presence of a comb, medical alcohol.
- The patient is seated in a well-lit place.
- Lay out white sheets of paper.
- Remove dead lice and nits with a special comb with frequent, long teeth. Periodically cleaned with a cotton pad dipped in an alcohol solution.
The final result directly depends on the thoroughness of combing out the nits. After the end of the procedure, an examination is carried out again. It is recommended to re-treat the hair for lice after 14 days. This is done either in a hospital, if the patient stays in hospital for a long time, or already at home. It is also necessary to fill in the result of reprocessing.
Examination for the presence of lice is carried out in the reception area of the hospital, the clinic at the paramedic station. The algorithm for testing for head lice is recorded in the document "Patient Management Protocol". This sequence of actions should be followed by all medical personnel:
- The doctor or nurse will wear a gown and gloves.
- The patient's hair is unwound and combed carefully.
- The survey begins with the temples and the back of the head, where the probability of finding colonies of parasites is extremely high. The specialist examines the hair roots and scalp for eggs and adult insects using a magnifying glass and a special fine-toothed comb.
- In the absence of signs of parasitic infestation on the head, the intimate parts of the body are checked to identify pubic lice. The latter live in the armpits, perineum.
- Clothes and bed linen are checked to detect head lice. Particular attention is paid to the seams where the parasites lay their eggs.
After examining each patient, the gloves are disposed of, the comb and magnifying glass are disinfected with medical alcohol.
If a patient is found to have lice, he is isolated from other people. After that, the doctor must fill out the form No. 058 / y and report an outbreak of head lice. Inspection reports are drawn up only in medical institutions. Schools do not register lice examinations.
In educational institutions, the nurse registers the check in a special journal. It records the number of children checked and their name, date of examination, number of infected, class number. If lice are found, the child is not allowed to study until complete recovery.
Sanitization is carried out in a hospital environment. The patient needs to be prepared for the procedure:
- Explain to the patient the essence of the technique and obtain his consent to carry out disinsection.
- The doctor or nurse puts on a gown, apron, gloves. Oilcloth is laid on the floor, a chair or couch is placed on top to position the patient.
- A special apron is put on the patient, the shoulders are covered with a hydrophobic cape. To protect the eyes, a sterile towel is used, which prevents contact with the cornea and mucous membranes of the anti-pediculosis agent.
- Prepare the rest of the instruments and preparations.
If these recommendations are not followed during processing, the risk of spreading head lice within the hospital can be assumed. In addition, chemicals can harm the patient.
After the preparation stage, they begin to carry out disinfestation on the scalp. Elimination of parasitic invasion is carried out according to the following algorithm:
- The patient's hair is moistened in warm water, the temperature of which does not exceed 37 ° C, and divided into separate strands.
- Each part of the hair is evenly treated with a prepared anti-lice preparation, a special cap is put on top to warm the head and wait a certain time. The period for achieving the therapeutic effect of each agent is different.
- After that, the hair is thoroughly washed with water and shampoo, then moistened in vinegar. A sterile cap is again put on the patient's head and waited for 15 minutes. After the required time, the hair is rinsed.
- A comb is carried out from each strand of dead lice, larvae and eggs with a comb, on which a piece of cotton wool is fixed. The latter is soaked in vinegar.
- If necessary, rinse the patient's hair again. Dry and examine the scalp.
We suggest that you familiarize yourself with: How can you get rid of nail fungus
As a final procedure, the patient's clothes and underwear are disinsected by washing in hot water and chemicals. Re-examination is carried out one week after treatment.
IMPORTANT. With the consent of the patient, the hair can be cut and burned.
Actions with things
Treatment of things from parasites
Pediculosis in a medical facility is eliminated in a complex way - the patient's head and personal belongings are treated. After the destruction of the parasites, paper is burned, where there were dead insects, nits. Things, linen are put in plastic bags, sent to a special chamber for disinfestation. The same should be done with the gown of the nurse who made the treatment.
The comb is thoroughly lubricated with alcohol. Rubber gloves are burned. Pest control of the premises. The nurse records the procedure in the examination log. Appoints a repeated examination of the patient after 7 days.
Effective drugs
Revealing head lice is a mandatory procedure before placing the patient in the ward. If lice is found, the nurse must treat it. Lice preparations are provided by a medical institution or the patient buys at his own expense.
The nurse may suggest several options for the patient. The choice depends on financial capabilities, personal preferences, as well as on the presence or absence of individual intolerance to the components.
For the treatment of head lice, patients are prescribed Nittifor, Paranit, Medifox, Nyuda, Para Plus, Nyx. Or they are treated with an emulsion of Benzyl benzoate, dikresil.
Algorithm of actions during examination
The best prevention of infection and its spread is a routine inspection. It will allow you to detect lice at an early stage of infection, to carry out therapeutic measures that will stop the spread of the disease.
In what cases to conduct an inspection
Lice and nits are checked if:
- Lice or nits are found on the scalp;
- The patient complains of itching, worse at night;
- On the back of the head, behind the ears, bite marks are visible;
- Purulent inflammation on the head is visible.
Examination of the patient for head lice is carried out using a comb with long and frequent teeth.
Inspection frequency
Disease screening can be carried out by specialist doctors: a pediatrician, a therapist, an infectious disease specialist, a dermatologist, as well as a nurse or paramedic.
According to sanitary norms and rules, they are subject to mandatory examinations and testing for disease:
- Orphans or children left without parental care, and living in orphanages, boarding schools, orphanages;
- Children who enter kindergarten for the first time, or return there after a long (more than 7 days) absence;
- Children going to summer health camps, sanatoriums, boarding houses;
- Persons in places of deprivation of liberty, temporary detention facilities;
- Citizens entering inpatient treatment.
Polyclinic examination is carried out at different intervals for certain age categories:
- Children under 6 years old - monthly;
- School-age children - after vacations;
- Adults: in case of self-referral to specialists, in the presence of a disease in one of the family members, when leaving for rest or health improvement.
When head lice is detected in the classroom, group, work collective, an unscheduled check is carried out.
What events are held
Examination of a patient for head lice in medical institutions (in particular, in a polyclinic) is carried out in accordance with the "Patient Management Protocol".
Algorithm for detecting head lice (examination is carried out by a doctor or nurse using gloves):
- The patient's hair is unraveled, combed.
- Using a comb and a magnifying glass, the scalp is examined. In this case, the occipital and temporal parts are checked first.
- Underwear is checked.
- In patients over 10 years of age, the armpits and pubic area are checked.
At the end of the inspection, it is necessary to discard the gloves, disinfect the comb in a special solution.
The fact of detecting head lice is recorded in the form No. 058 / y "Emergency message about an infectious disease." The certificate indicates the type of lice infestation: head, clothing, pubic, mixed. The stage of development of the disease is described: nits (eggs), or insects (lice).
When is
All measures for detecting head lice are carried out in strict accordance with the law at a certain time:
- in preschool educational institutions and boarding schools, employees and pupils are checked monthly;
- the school organizes an event once a quarter;
- checking and processing when head lice is detected in the admission department is performed upon admission to the hospital, and then weekly.
According to the new SanPiN, when lice and nits are found in a group of people with whom the patient was in contact, an examination is carried out outside the plan, and preventive measures are taken.
How to recognize head lice?
Head lice is a rather unpleasant disease that is condemned by society. Since ancient times, it was believed that an ailment can occur only in a person who poorly follows the basic hygienic rules for caring for the body and hair. In fact, lice are able to live in the environment, hide on the surface of objects, so every inhabitant of the planet has a risk of infection.
The causative agents of infection can be found in the folds of bed linen, everyday clothes. As a rule, this habitat is typical for body lice. Pubic lice prefer to settle in the groin and are transmitted through intimate contact. But infection is not excluded due to visiting a public place: baths, saunas, swimming pools, etc.
You should be especially careful about an unfamiliar place to sleep, someone else's bedding can become the root cause of the development of head lice. Head nits are the most common type of pathology.
They can be transmitted not only due to lack of hygiene, but also through contact with the carrier of the infection and household items.
- the head begins to itch constantly, endless itching is caused after a bite of nits, which secrete a specific salivary secretion that irritates the scalp;
- at the initial stage of the pathology, lice are quite difficult to notice, but with diligence you can find white grains, most often located at the roots of the hair behind the ears and in the back of the head;
- on the skin, upon close examination, it is possible to notice specific wounds - this is a consequence of the activity of lice, presented in the form of combed bites;
- with a severe stage of infection or late detection of pediculosis, an unpleasant putrid smell from the hair may appear;
- hair begins to get tangled over time, it is very difficult to comb them.
Often, in order to recognize head lice at an early stage, you have to cut the patient's hair. If an infection is detected, it is generally necessary to subject the person to shaving his head.An important stage in the treatment of the disease is the sanitization of the patient when pediculosis is detected.
Reprocessing
To exclude the possibility of a return of the disease due to surviving insects, the patient is re-examined a week after the first procedure. If parasites are found as a result, re-treatment will be required.
It is no different from the first, but it is recommended to replace the active substance. Perhaps it turned out to be ineffective, since lice have the property of gradually acquiring resistance to most commonly used drugs.
Expert opinion
Sidorenko Veronika Leonidovna
Candidate of Medical Sciences, St. Petersburg Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Pasteur.
It should be remembered that chemical agents are prohibited for use in children under the age of five, pregnant women who are prone to allergies and skin diseases, as well as in the presence of damage to the skin.
In these situations, you have to resort to more gentle means of biological (plant) origin, to vinegar and careful combing. If you have short hair, it is better to cut it.
If the relatives of an infected with lice have questions about sanitizing, they can contact the polyclinic at their place of residence and receive comprehensive information and assistance on this issue.
How to treat head lice
To effectively remove lice, there is a special algorithm of actions, which is followed by all sanitary services and doctors of polyclinics. It consists of the following simple steps:
Prepare equipment for working on the removal of nits and lice:
- white robe;
- polyethylene kerchief on the shoulders;
- face mask to the person who performs the treatment;
- oilcloth or polyethylene apron;
- gloves;
- vinegar (heated to 30 degrees Celsius 6 percent solution);
- tampons, cotton filaments or thread;
- an insecticidal rod or a special disinsection solution (pediculocidal group of agents);
- shampoo;
- if necessary - hair scissors;
- polyethylene bag for collecting affected hair;
- thick comb or small comb;
- alcohol solution (70%);
- a metal container for burning cut hair (if the need arises);
- clean linen (underwear).
Conditions for carrying out an "operation" to get rid of lice:
- the light should fall comfortably on the place where the treatment of the person will be carried out;
- the room must be well ventilated;
- compulsory observance of medical confidentiality and confidentiality;
- adherence to infectious safety techniques in order to prevent head lice damage to the medical staff or family members where such treatment is carried out.
Preparatory steps:
- conducting an examination to identify the presence of live nits (silver-white or yellowish), which, when pressed between the nails, will emit a characteristic clicking, clicking sound, indicating that the eggs are full and viable;
- after detecting lice, it is imperative to obtain the patient's consent to carry out the treatment of his hair (less often skin, depending on the type of disease);
- the person carrying out the treatment must be protected by special clothing and accessories - gloves, face mask, headgear that protects hair, etc .;
- the patient should be seated on a chair or in a place that will be previously covered with oilcloth;
- the patient's shoulders are covered with a cape or a plastic kerchief.
Treatment procedure:
- hair (but not scalp) should first be treated with a warm vinegar solution - instead of a bite, special insecticidal solutions can be used;
- carefully monitor that the liquid does not get into the eyes of the patient;
- by the mechanical method - by combing with a comb, they get rid of the most active adults, which should be immediately destroyed by burning;
- after abundantly wetting the hair with vinegar, a plastic kerchief and then with a towel, the head is tightly tied and left for 20 minutes;
- the comb after processing is cleaned with a thread or a cotton swab, moistening everything in vinegar or alcohol solution and passing the thread through the teeth of the comb;
- after 20 minutes, the hair is washed with warm water and shampoo, then dried with a towel.
Repeated combing of hair.
This is done over white paper or cloth, which is then burned. Each strand is separated and carefully combed out with a comb. After each strand, the comb is rubbed with 70% alcohol. After combing out, the hair is washed again, but under running water. Then everything is dried with a towel.
Treatment of head lice in a child with folk remedies
Not all parents go to the pharmacy for a remedy for head lice, more often than not, this is dictated by the desire to choose for the child the least dangerous remedy for his health.
Essential oil
Foreign studies of the effectiveness of essential oils for killing nits and lice have shown the following results:
- Oregano, Anise and Cinnamon - Kills 100% of adults and nits;
- Tea tree (Melaleuca) - 83% nits, 93% adults.
The most effective method of application is the use of a high concentration of essential oil in alcohol (alcohol makes the chitinous cover of insects more permeable to the properties of essential oil insecticides):
50 ml of alcohol (vodka) 10 drops of essential oil (for example anise) are rubbed into the scalp and hair, put on a shower cap and leave overnight. Then the solution must be washed off with shampoo, after which rinse the hair with the following solution: 2 ml of essential oil, 50 ml of apple cider vinegar (you can use 9% table vinegar) and 50 ml of water. After rinsing, you need to comb out strand by strand with a comb. The treatment should be repeated after 7 days; it is imperative to comb your hair daily between treatments.
Salt (sea salt, iodized or regular table salt)
One of the simplest, but no less effective solutions for treatment, as well as for the prevention of head lice in children, is ordinary salt. It can be used either alone or in combination with vinegar (apple or table vinegar 9%). Salt and vinegar work great together to dehydrate and kill lice and nits.
Salt can be rubbed into the hair and scalp for 1-2 minutes (carefully, do not injure the baby's skin), put on a shower cap and leave for 3-4 hours, then rinse with water, comb the hair thoroughly, repeat the procedure for 2-3 days in a row. To consolidate the result, the procedure is repeated after 5-7 days.
Salt can also be sprayed or poured onto clean, damp hair and scalp (1/4 cup salt dissolved in 1/4 cup warm apple cider vinegar), do not rinse, wait until the hair is dry and apply coconut oil to the scalp and hair or petroleum jelly. Leave the oil on overnight to suffocate any remaining lice. Rinse your hair and comb through it in the morning.
Other powerful and effective folk remedies
There are many other ways to get rid of head lice at home.
A drug | Mode of application |
Table vinegar (9%) | Dilute 1: 2 with water and apply to hair overnight. Not recommended for severe scratching and sensitive skin. |
Coconut oil or petroleum jelly | Apply to hair roots at night and put on a shower cap. |
Freshly squeezed pomegranate or cranberry juice | Apply overnight under a hat and towel. |
Decoction of mint and pomegranate | Pour 220 ml of pomegranate juice over a couple of large spoons of mint. Heat to a boil and simmer over a low flame for ten minutes. Cool the composition and rub into the hair roots. Leave for half an hour, then rinse your hair with shampoo. This procedure must be repeated every five days. |
Angelica and bird cherry ointment | Combine a mixture of powders from the roots of plants with any oil in equal proportions. Apply to the scalp, keep under the cap for half an hour, then rinse. |
Tar soap works well against lice. But it dries out the scalp and makes hair more brittle.
Home treatment is generally available and, with the right approach, is not harmful to health, but it will take longer than the use of pharmaceuticals.
Lice and nits combs
It does not matter whether you use pharmaceuticals or folk remedies for lice in children, it is imperative, after hair treatment, to comb the child's hair, over the bathtub or on a white sheet to remove dead parasites and their larvae. This requires a fine-toothed comb. A conventional comb, in this case, will not work, since its teeth are located far from each other, and it will be difficult to remove parasites from the hair
This requires a fine-toothed comb. An ordinary comb, in this case, will not work, since its teeth are located far from each other, and it will be difficult to remove parasites from the hair.
Lice and nits comb
For these purposes, a wooden, plastic or metal comb is usually used. Of the modern combs, the most popular are the combs of the AntiV and Nit free brands. As you can see in the photo below, the teeth of the ridge are so close that they won't let in parasites. Before using the comb, the child's hair must be rinsed from the drug, apply a hair conditioner that will facilitate combing, comb the child's hair with a regular comb, then comb the hair strand by strand with a special comb.
It should be noted that many pharmaceuticals are already equipped with such combs, as well as a magnifying glass, for a more thorough examination of the child's hair.
Applied methods
Modern anti-lice treatment of a patient includes the following methods:
- Mechanical. They consist in the removal of parasites and their eggs by washing, combing or cutting the hair. In the past, hair removal was one of the most common ways to deal with lice. Nowadays, mechanical methods are most often used where it is impossible to use "heavy artillery" - chemical preparations, insecticides. They are used if a child, a pregnant woman, a severe allergy sufferer is infected with lice, as well as in the presence of extensive or deep skin lesions. Hair removal and combing is combined with rinsing with vinegar solution, which removes the "glue" and helps get rid of nits.
- Physical. These include mainly heat treatment, which aims to remove parasites from personal belongings. These are boiling, ironing with a strongly heated iron, steaming at high temperatures, as well as heating the hair with a hairdryer (used with restrictions).
- Chemical. These are the main ways to get rid of lice, since with the help of drugs, insects can be radically removed and relapses can be avoided.
The most effective technique is a combination of all three methods of exposure.
The final stage
Sanitary treatment of the patient with pediculosis detected is not completed after the disinfestation of hair and personal accessories. Since lice can easily spread, all the patient's belongings and the nurse's clothes are packed in pre-prepared bags and sent to heat.
The comb, which was used to comb out lice and nits, is cleaned of insects and immersed in alcohol of at least 70 degrees of strength. All other tools are treated with vinegar and alcohol, if possible, doused with boiling water.
Cut and combed hair, parasites, consumables are carefully collected and disposed of by incineration.
Mode of application
Every hospital should have a lice-proof packing to kill parasites. Also, it is necessary for each medical institution to lay down for examination for head lice.It is designed for the timely detection of lice and nits. It contains rubber gloves, magnifying glass, table lamp, comb and disinfectant solution for the comb.
Preparation
Having found parasites in a person, the medical professional must follow his job descriptions. They indicate the following sequence of actions:
- Registration in the corresponding document (magazine No. 60).
- Sending a message about a parasitic disease at the patient's place of residence.
- Record in the medical history card.
- Lice extermination. Sanitization is carried out for head lice, as well as actions aimed at cleaning the patient's belongings and the premises where he was.
Before the treatment process, the doctor asks the infected person about the presence of contraindications to the event. These include: pregnancy, breastfeeding, under 5 years of age, skin diseases. The healthcare provider must adhere to patient rights and confidentiality. For the process of destroying lice in a medical facility, there must be a special ventilated room.
After filling out the documentation and talking with the infected, they begin the preparatory stage of processing. The specialist puts on a disposable gown, rubber gloves, and a scarf. The patient sits on a chair and is covered with an oilcloth. It is necessary to give the person a towel to protect the eyes from the anti-lice remedy.
Carrying out disinsection measures
Disinsection measures are divided into 2 sets of actions: the extermination of parasites and the prevention of the disease. The procedure for getting rid of lice using a special styling includes the following actions:
- Hair treatment with a head lice remedy, according to his instructions. For example, "Nittifor" is applied to damp hair, covered with a scarf and a towel. Leave the emulsion on the head for about 40 minutes.
- Washing hair in warm water. After that, shampoo is applied. After washing it off, wipe the head with a towel.
- Hair treatment with 6% warm vinegar solution. You need to again cover your head with a scarf and a towel for 20 minutes.
- Rinse off the vinegar with warm water. For this, the head is dried.
- Disinfection of the comb with vinegar. With a comb, divide the hair into strands, comb out each strand. Before that, you need to put light paper under your hair for dead parasites.
- If the patient agrees to cut the hair, then this is done over the pelvis, from which the hair is then burned.
- Examine hair for remaining lice and nits.
After the disinfestation measures, the cleaning of the anti-lice styling tools begins:
- Burning paper with lice.
- Put the clothes of the patient and the nurse in a disposable bag, which is then sent to the disinfection chamber.
- Disinfection of the comb with boiling water.
- Re-examination for head lice in a week.
Fighting body lice
To eliminate parasites living on clothing and other things of a person, measures such as boiling and ironing are used. Within 15 minutes. clothes are boiled in a 2% soda ash solution and ironed on both sides. For the best effect, you can process things in a special chamber. Treatment with antiparasitic solutions is also popular: 0.15% water emulsion of karbofos, pyrethrum powder.
Treating a patient with pubic lice
In this case, the patient is advised to shave off the hair in the habitats of the parasites. Then the person and his sexual partner are treated, because this type of lice is sexually transmitted. The manipulation is carried out with special means of anti-lice styling of your choice - 0.5% chlorophos solution, aerosols "Neophos", "Carbozol". After the procedure, the room is ventilated. If necessary, the extermination of parasites is carried out again in a week.
Disinfection of premises
The procedure is carried out by specialists of the sanitary and epidemiological service or independently by the owner of the house. Specialists apply cold and hot mist to control insects.Hot fog is more effective, because it exterminates parasites even in invisible areas and lasts longer than cold fog. In addition, hot processing destroys viruses and bacteria. A few hours after treatment, the room needs to be ventilated and wet cleaned.
Self-disinfection is carried out with the help of Medifox, Spray-Pax or Paraplus preparations. They are used for processing clothes, but they are also suitable for indoor use. The products are safe, do not cause poisoning and other troubles. After using the funds, you need to vacuum the house, wipe the cabinets and shelves with vinegar.
Processing technology: family members, things, home
To completely get rid of parasites, peace of mind, treatment of an apartment when head lice is detected is simply necessary. The procedure includes disinfection of all contact persons, things, and the surrounding area. This is necessary to completely get rid of parasites, which, even in a short period of time, could crawl onto third-party objects, people.
Note! Treatment at home is carried out independently or with the participation of an insecticidal profile organization. A specialized service will offer the services of experienced craftsmen with an arsenal of necessary chemicals.
Disinfection includes several stages:
- patient treatment;
- cleaning tools;
- washing clothes, household items;
- sanitation of the surrounding space.
Each action is important to obtain an effective result, but for a holistic view of technological processes, it is necessary to consider them in more detail.
Patient treatment
Treatment of head lice in humans is carried out according to the instructions for the selected drug. It is advisable to carry out the process in a well-sanitized room (at home, this is a bathroom). The creation of conditions for forced ventilation is necessary when working with insecticides.
When lice are detected, the patient is treated using a disposable cape on the shoulders of the infected person, an additional dressing gown, gloves, and a scarf for the person who is sanitizing.
After the procedure, things are washed (burned, thrown out in a tightly packed bag). When working with toxic insecticides, it is advisable to use a respirator mask.
The procedure is carried out as follows:
- wash the patient's head;
- a medicinal product is used;
- after the allotted time, the hair is washed;
- perform mechanical combing out.
After all the manipulations, the premises must be thoroughly refurbished. This is a kind of protection against lice. You will find detailed instructions on the use of popular and effective remedies for lice and nits on our website.
Cleaning tools
Instruments should be washed as soon as they become dirty during the treatment process. This is a guarantee of exclusion of re-infection when sanitizing for head lice.
It is recommended to carefully observe the accessory of the instruments. Healthy family members should have their own combs. It is even desirable to store them away from the objects of an infected relative.
Disinfecting washing of tools after lice is also performed after complete cure (applies to all combs in the house). This will help avoid unexpected relapses.
The processing options are as follows:
- the use of any toxic agent designed to combat lice (spray, shampoo, solution);
- the use of a homemade composition (vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, ordinary water in a ratio of 1: 1: 0.5);
- scalding with boiled water (the material of the device should allow).
An important point! In addition to tools, accessories from everyday life are sanitized from lice: hairpins, elastic bands, ribbons. Use the same solutions. Treatment of things from lice is as follows: jewelry is placed in the composition for 3 hours, then rinsed with hot water (60-70 degrees), washed with soap (shampoo).
Washing clothes
Cleaning of clothes, bed linen, and other textile accessories is a must. Particular attention is paid to the period of active treatment. Parasites can creep onto textiles. Using dirty utensils will ensure re-infection.
All textiles in contact with the patient are washed. It is advisable to boil things made of cotton. Adding soda solution will enhance the effect. Treatment of linen with head lice is carried out at the highest possible temperature.
Linen that has temperature limitations during washing is sanitized with a solution based on soap and kerosene (1: 1). Items are placed in the composition for 20-30 minutes, then washed in accordance with the required thermal restrictions.
Lice are sensitive to extreme high and low temperatures. Frost or scorching sun are good disinfection options. In winter or summer, washed items are taken out into the open air for several days. An alternative option would be to use a freezer, iron, steam generator. It is necessary to ensure that the textiles allow such processing.