Nits - Guide To Nits-free Hair
The topic of nits will definitely crop up when people discuss about treating head lice. These are small grayish insects that are observed around the scalp of a person. Though head lice are very small, they are easily seen as they move. But a nit is much less conspicuous and is very small. For lice treatment to be effective, it is essential to recognize and deal with them.
Nits are the eggs of the louse which attach firmly to the hair shafts, usually near the scalp. They will look like tiny grains of rice and cannot be removed by routine brushing or combing. Unlike lice, they do not move around or cause itching, so they must be searched for and eliminated. If a single one remains, recurrent infestation is possible.
The simplest means of removal is the use of a special very fine toothed nit comb. The teeth are so small and close together that any nits are scraped off. After using a shampoo or solution to kill all of the live lice, every strand of hair must be searched and any nit removed. Some lice treatments will kill these eggs, but many do not. Never skip this step.
Nit removal is the most essential part of getting rid of lice. Even after trying the home remedies of mayo or petroleum jelly the nits or eggs will not be dead. Picking the nits off of hair strand or using a fine tooth comb to search for them is the best way to get rid of them. Once you have removed the nits flush them or put them in a sealed container to dispose of them.
You need to be careful because nits that drop into sheets, furniture, clothes, or even stuffed animals can hatch into lice. You will need to vacuum and clean your entire home. You will also want to wash and put everything in a dryer possible. Another suggestion is to try steam cleaning. If you cannot clean an item, place it in a sealed bag for about three weeks.
Keep checking your child's hair and scalp for a few weeks following initial treatment. This is because nits can live through the various treatments that were taken to kill the lice. Check the entire head carefully to make sure none are left. They can be difficult to see. Even one remaining in the hair can cause a recurrence.
Whenever we talk about treating head lice, sooner or later the subject of nits is sure to come up. They are the eggs of the louse, which attach firmly to the hair shafts, usually near the scalp. The most convenient way to remove them from hair is by using a fine-toothed special comb, after using a shampoo that can kill them. Not every lice treatment works though. Even after trying the home remedies of mayo or petroleum jelly the nit or egg may not die. For several weeks after treating for lice, the head should be closely inspected.
Published February 22nd, 2008
Filed in Family