So you think you might have a lice infestation and you need to know your options for treating it. Your doctor may recommend a medicated shampoo, cream rinse, or lotion to kill lice. These can be over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription drugs, depending on what treatments have already been tried. There are also home remedy treatments and mechanical treatments if you can’t or don’t want to use any chemical treatment. Here are some basic options to consider.

1. Home Remedy – Home remedy solutions have been around for centuries and some are quite good and effective at treating an infestation. Various household products have been suggested as treatment, including vinegar, coconut oil, olive oil, tea tree oil, mayonnaise, lemon-butter mixture, rosemary, castor mustard oil, and turmeric, garlic, and lemon juice. lemon. The natural treatment is non-irritating, easy to apply, cheap, suitable for all ages and accessible, but it is time consuming as it must be repeated every 4-7 days until no trace of lice remains.

2. Over-the-counter medications: Insecticides to treat head lice are available in lotions, liquids, or cream rinses. These are not suitable for everyone, especially those with allergies or skin problems like severe eczema or asthma. Following the instructions on the product label is also important to ensure that the treatment works correctly.

• Pyrethrins combined with piperonyl butoxide
• 1% permethrin lotion

3. Prescription Medications – Pediculicides containing other insecticides such as malathion and lindane are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of infestations and are available only by prescription. These are readily available in pharmacies for use in treating head lice and nits. Studies have been conducted to prove its effectiveness and it has been shown to work quickly to kill lice and nits. Studies show that mothers who use chemical shampoo to get rid of infestations could double their risk of getting childhood leukemia. And those who used insecticides during pregnancy have been found to be at even greater risk. If you are pregnant or nursing, you should consult your doctor or healthcare worker before using insecticides, children under two years of age should not use these products. Following the instructions is very important because these products are insecticides. Applying too much medicine or too often can increase the risk of harm.

4. Mechanical Removal: Mechanical removal of lice and nits with the use of a lice comb is the safest way to remove lice and nits, it is an effective but time consuming method. An infestation can be eliminated by daily combing with a specialized comb to remove live insects and nits. Lice or nit combs can be helpful in removing lice and eggs. There are many lice combs on the market to choose from and some are better than others; its effectiveness depends on the material of the comb, whether metal or plastic, construction. Also, the texture of the hair and the technique used to style it are important. Curly, wavy and thick hair will have a hard time with this type of treatment.

To avoid reinfestation, do not share personal items such as brushes, combs, hats, etc. and avoid head-to-head contact. If you have an infestation, remember not to panic. Choose a treatment method mentioned above, be consistent, and you can solve this problem. Good luck.