How Does Head Lice Damage Hair?
WouterOne of the biggest concerns with head lice infestations is how much damage they can do to a person’s hair. In severe cases, untreated infestations can lead to severe discomfort and odor. In addition, frequent itching may lead to scalp damage and even infection. Since head lice feed on human blood, they can also cause dry, brittle hair.
Fortunately, many ways to deal with head lice infestations exist. For example, you can change the pillowcase used by your child to another pillowcase. While you’re at it, wash the pillowcase in hot water and dry in a clothes dryer. You don’t need to use pesticides, as they can expose your family to harmful chemicals. However, you should make sure to check for head lice in all household members, including children.
Using a fine-tooth comb is an effective method for removing head lice and nits from hair. It’s best to use a fine-tooth comb on wet hair. This will help stop the lice from moving around while you use the comb. Using conditioner will also make it easier to comb through hair. If you’re unable to get rid of lice with a comb, try putting petroleum jelly, mayonnaise, or olive oil in the affected area.
Adult head lice are grayish-white in color. They live for about 30 days and lay up to 300 eggs. This means that if you don’t catch them early, you could have a large infestation very quickly. And if you leave the infestation untreated, the damage can be severe.
