How To Navigate The World Of Lice Treatment Options

The stress of lice removal can be monumental. First there is the initial, “ick” reaction to tiny insects crawling around yours or a loved one’s head followed by the frantic exploration of how to get rid of the parasite.

There are many treatments to choose from, some more effective than others. And in the Internet-age, there is so much information to sift through it can become overwhelming to determine what treatments to try, and which treatments to ignore.

What follows are a few of the options out there to help you feel calm and confident in making the best choice for your lice treatments.

Chemical Treatments

Chemical treatments come in the form of do-it-yourself treatments that range in application and effectiveness. Nix and Rid are two common over-the-counter chemical treatments.

These kinds of treatments often contain pyrethrin or permethrin and come as shampoos, crème rinses and lotions. Because these treatments might kill adults but don’t harm eggs, this method usually requires multiple treatments and also requires a careful comb-out to remove the lice and eggs.

Chemical treatments can be controversial because of the use of chemicals directly on a human scalp, as well as some of the side effects that can include headaches and nausea.

There are also doctor prescribed chemical treatments that tend to be stronger than the over-the-counter chemical treatments. They require a doctor’s visit and have instructions that must be followed exactly.

While some people have found chemical treatments to work well, others complain that lice have adapted to be resistant to the chemicals used. It is therefore important to be prepared to follow directions precisely, as well as be prepared to try something else if a chemical treatment doesn’t work.

Nit Picking

Nit picking remains a constant treatment devoid of harsh chemicals. It can be done at home or by a nit-picking specialist.

Nit picking consists of manually inspecting every single strand of hair and removing any lice or eggs with a lice comb. Depending on the length of hair, this process can take up to three hours.

If you visit a professional nit picker, you will most likely be asked to come to a follow-up appointment to recheck yours or your loved one’s head to make absolutely sure there are not any lingering lice or eggs.

Lice Treatment Centers

Lice treatment centers are quickly growing in popularity because of their skill and expertise. Instead of relying on your own inexperience and the frequent infestation recurrence that comes with it, the experts at lice treatment centers usually offer guarantees that provide second treatments free of charge if initial treatments fail.

Treatment centers such as No Nit Noggins use the FDA-cleared technology AirAllé, which kills both lice and eggs using controlled heat and air. This kind of treatment dehydrates lice and is 99.2 percent effective.

The treatment usually takes about thirty minutes and is followed by a comb-out to remove the dead lice and eggs. Like nit picking, it can require a follow-up appointment to make sure no lice were missed.

This kind of treatment can also be mobilized so AirAllé specialists are able to treat patients at home, where they can be more comfortable. This is especially convenient for children who might be scared to go visit an unfamiliar salon.

A lice infestation can be a horror and a pain. But it doesn’t have to be a headache to decide on the best treatment option for you.