How to Get Rid of Head Lice
WouterHead lice are parasitic creatures that feed on the blood from the scalp. These insects are small – about the size of a sesame seed – and brown in color. They have six legs and no wings and attach to the hair shaft at the base. Once attached, these insects lay their eggs near the scalp.
Unlike bedbugs, lice do not live on bedding for more than a day. The insects feed on the blood of their host every four hours, which means that you should change your bedding as soon as you suspect lice. Lice tend to load up on their food at night, when it is dark and they are most active. In addition, they need a warm place to live, such as the head. The temperature of your bedding is usually about 99 degrees, which is the perfect temperature for lice.
To get rid of head lice, you must wash all your bedding. If you find nits on your bedding, you should wash it with hot water and dry it in the dryer. You should also boil any hair ties in hot water for 10-20 minutes and then freeze them overnight. However, you should avoid using pesticide sprays on your furniture, as this will expose you and your household to harmful chemicals. A safe way to remove any fallen hairs with attached nits is vacuuming.
Once you have found out you have head lice, the next step is to wash all your bedding and clothes. Bedding must be washed on hot water to kill lice, and pillow cases should be washed on the hottest possible setting in the dryer. If your bedding is not washable, use a powder made from food-grade diatomaceous earth. This will kill any remaining lice that are present on the items. You can also use mattress toppers on your bedding.
