Head lice infestation, known medically as pediculosis, is a common public health nuisance, particularly affecting children in school and daycare settings. When faced with this highly contagious problem, many people look for quick, non-medical remedies to avoid chemical treatments. This search often leads to myths, such as the belief that common hair styling products like hair gel can effectively eliminate the parasites.
Hair Gel: Why It Fails Against Lice and Nits
The idea behind using thick, greasy products like hair gel, mayonnaise, or petroleum jelly is that they might act as a suffocating agent. These occlusive products coat adult lice and nymphs, potentially blocking their breathing holes (spiracles) and immobilizing them. Studies suggest these agents can kill live lice if applied liberally and left on the scalp for an extended period, often more than 12 hours.
However, this method fails because it cannot reliably kill the nits, or eggs, which are firmly cemented to the hair shaft. Nits are protected by a hard outer shell and do not rely on the same breathing mechanism as adult lice, making them highly resistant to suffocation. If nits survive, they will hatch within seven to ten days, leading to immediate re-infestation. Non-medicated products like hair gel cannot break the parasite’s life cycle to achieve full eradication.
Confirming an Infestation
Properly identifying an infestation requires careful inspection of the scalp. Adult head lice are tiny, about the size of a sesame seed, and are generally tan to grayish-white. They move quickly, making them difficult to spot, but their movement may cause a tickling or crawling sensation on the head.
The most common sign of an active infestation is the presence of nits, which are the lice eggs. Nits are teardrop-shaped and glued firmly to the hair shaft, usually located within a half-inch of the scalp for incubation. Nits are extremely difficult to remove, unlike common scalp debris or dandruff flakes which slide off easily. If a suspected particle is stuck tight to the hair and will not budge, it is likely a nit.
Proven Methods for Eradication
The most effective way to eliminate a head lice infestation involves a combination of two proven approaches: manual removal and medicated treatment.
Manual Removal (Wet-Combing)
Manual removal, often called wet-combing, is a highly effective, non-chemical method that physically removes both lice and nits. This technique involves saturating the hair with conditioner, which stuns the lice and makes them easier to see. Then, systematically comb the entire head with a fine-toothed nit comb. The combing process should be done on small sections of hair, starting at the scalp and wiping the comb on a paper towel after each pass. This must be repeated every few days for several weeks to catch newly hatched nymphs before they mature and lay new eggs.
Medicated Treatments
For medicated options, over-the-counter (OTC) treatments like permethrin or pyrethrins are synthetic insecticides that attack the louse’s nervous system. Since many OTC products do not kill all nits, a second application is needed around nine to ten days after the first to eliminate any nymphs that hatch. If OTC treatments fail, often due to resistance, prescription treatments such as spinosad or malathion lotions may be necessary.
Stopping Future Outbreaks
Preventing re-infestation requires attention to the immediate environment and behavioral changes. Head lice are primarily spread through direct head-to-head contact. Encouraging children to avoid this close contact during play or group activities is the most important step.
It is also important to teach children not to share personal items that contact the head, such as:
- Hats and scarves.
- Combs and brushes.
- Headphones.
For items that may have been in contact with the infested person’s head, machine washing and drying in hot water and high heat is recommended. Non-washable items can be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks, as lice cannot survive long without a human host. Routine head checks with a fine-toothed comb, especially after potential exposure, serve as an excellent early detection method.