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- Nits and Lice
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- Anti-pediculosis drugs
Pediculosis is a skin disease caused by the onset of lice - parasites that feed on human blood. Settling in the hairline, ectoparasites lay eggs (nits). They are the faultless ones. pediculosis symptom. Pests attach eggs to the hair using a special sticky substance, which makes it difficult to remove them. If lice are in the hair for a long time, then you can notice many empty shells on them, from which the larvae have already hatched. To recognize if you have live nits, you need to know what dead nits look like.
What is nit
Outwardly, lice nits resemble a whitish-transparent capsule, the dimensions of which do not exceed 1.5 mm. The body of the head lice nits is covered with a dense protective shell. Below it there is an oblong outgrowth, which is very similar to a trickle of leaked glue. It is thanks to this formation that the nit is held on the human thread so firmly that it can only be separated mechanically. How lice and nits look in hairclearly visible in the photo.
The cap-valve, located in the upper part of the body of the nits, serves as an outlet for the future larva. However, an individual that has matured and is ready for birth cannot crawl out. Having pushed out the cap, she begins to breathe actively, passing oxygen through her body. The amount of air extracted from the anus increases rapidly. When its volume reaches a certain level, the larva is pushed out under its pressure. Such a birth procedure takes only a few minutes.
How lice eggs develop
Lice eggs are laid mainly on the occipital part and in the ear area at a distance of 2-4 cm from the skin. Typically, each capsule is placed on a single hair. It takes about a week to mature the embryos (the development cycle varies depending on the ambient temperature). Hard at first glance distinguish lice eggs from dandruff.
On a note!
Favorable for the growth of nits is an air temperature of 30-32 degrees. Lice egg growth stops at temperatures up to 22 degrees and above 40. Disastrous for lice and nits air above 45 degrees.
The formed lice larva is called a first-order nymph. After 5 days, she becomes a second-order nymph. It will turn into an adult in 8 days. Piercing the human body, the newly-appeared louse is saturated with blood and becomes capable of breeding. The very next day after mating, she lays up to a dozen eggs.
What is the difference
Not every person is able to determine the condition of an egg, since it is very difficult to distinguish living nits from dead nits.
In reality, they have significant differences:
- dead nits can be identified by the shape of the capsule - after the birth of the larva, it becomes less convex;
- dead nits do not shine, they have a more dull and faded color;
- a characteristic click is accompanied by a fingernail pressing on a live nit, only dead ones do not click nits.
Especially good live and dead nits are distinguished under a microscope. Under the inner shell of the egg you can see a developing larva.
Ways to fight
Using pediculicidal agent makes it possible to get rid of live lice, as well as destroy their embryos on the hair.However, it is not worth hoping that the dead nits will disappear by themselves. To get rid of them, you must use special comb, which can be purchased at any pharmacy.
The process of removing lice and their eggs should be carried out in the following order:
- Hair must be divided into several strands and combed out using a special comb.
- Each separately combed strand is fixed to the side with a hairpin. It is important to prevent it from touching unprocessed hair.
- This procedure must be performed on a white cloth (napkin) or sink.
- Comb hair from nits need at least 10 days. Every day you need to use a special anti-pediculant to wash your hair. It will help soften the sticky substance with which the nits are held on the hair. An example of this could be shampoos, sprays or pediculicidal ointments. Similar properties acetic acid.
- At the end of the procedure, the comb, combs, hairpins and other accessories for hair care are subjected to mandatory processing. To do this, they can be dipped in boiling water or use an antiparasitic agent.
- For safety reasons, the procedure for combing hair should be carried out with gloves.
Important!
The use of kerosene for the treatment of head lice can cause severe scalp burns. Allergic reactions may cause application. hellebore water, Dichlorvos. Use the same hydrogen peroxide promotes a change in the natural color of hair.
One of the best folk remedies for removing nits from hair is cranberry juice. This fighting method is especially recommended for elimination of lice in children. The gruel of freshly squeezed berries is distributed along the entire length of the hair, after which the child's head is wrapped in a plastic bag. After half an hour, the hair is washed with running water and with the help of a comb get rid of dead parasites. An acidic environment can very quickly kill lice, as well as destroy the shell of their eggs.
Regular examination of the head will help prevent the spread of the disease. In periods of mass spread of pediculosis, you can apply essential oils. Beautiful prophylactic is rosemary, eucalyptus or lavender oil. Just add a few drops to the shampoo or balm that are regularly used to wash your hair.
