20 ways to get rid of lice fast at home
Pediculosis is caused by several types of lice, one of which does not live on the human body, but settles in clothing. These parasites are called body lice. The pathogen is transmitted through contact with an infected person or their clothing. Changing rooms in public places, close contacts in transport, places of rest lead to the transfer of parasites to people respecting the rules of cleanliness and hygiene. Consider how to effectively get rid of linen lice and prevent reinfection.
What is a body louse
Body lice are parasites that inhabit human clothing and feed on blood. These are close relatives of head lice, which do not live permanently in public, equip housing and breed in seams, folds of clothes.Along with head and pubic lice, body lice suck blood and carry dangerous infections.All types of lice can be present on the same person at the same time.
Appearance
The wardrobe species is the biggest lice. The body size is 2-5 millimeters, there are no wings, the cover is translucent. The small body darkens after being bitten and filled with blood. The head is narrower than the body, there are antennae - the organ of touch and smell.
Main Features
Most of the time, body lice hide in clothes, come out on the body 5-6 times a day to eat. They live in colonies. They survive a temperature of 0-40°, preferring a comfortable temperature of 30-32°. When the owner dies or the body temperature rises sharply during heat and illness, they leave. If the clothes are not worn for more than a week, they starve.
Cycle of life
The life cycle of a louse (from egg to egg) lasts 16 days. During her life, the female produces up to 300 eggs, clutches daily 8-10 eggs. The female lays eggs in clothes, sticking with a special mixture. They are in the egg stage (nits) for about a week, then the young hatch and mature in 8-10 days, spreading on clothing. Life expectancy is just over a month.
Nutrition
To feed, the louse leaves the clothes on the body. The cone-shaped mouth is at the front of the head and has teeth that, like anchors, help anchor when biting. The trunk with needles lies on the body, the needles pierce the skin and gradually deepen, looking for a vessel. The contraction of the pharyngeal muscles in a louse allows sucking (up to 0.003 milliliters of blood at a time). A secreted enzyme prevents the blood from clotting.
Types of bites
At the site of the lice bite, a pink-red swelling (papule) forms with blood stuck in the middle. The intensity of the color and the size of the swelling depend on the characteristics of the organism and the presence of an allergic component. The body of a person suffering from head lice is gradually covered with a dense network of such spots, since the lice often feed and the population increases rapidly.
What harm can they do
The disease caused by head lice is called head lice. Its symptoms are varied and depend on the number of bites and the characteristics of the body.
Redness and itching
The first and most obvious symptoms are redness and swelling at the bite site. The papules itch a lot, scratching does not bring relief, the spots become brighter and more inflamed.
Allergy
During bites, lice saliva gets into the wounds, causing allergic reactions. The allergy is manifested by increased itching, the appearance of rashes, nausea and digestive disorders. In severe cases, the temperature may rise.
Help: Body lice carry typhus and the relapsing fever, Volyn fever, which makes head lice infestation particularly dangerous.
Ulcers
Ulcers appear at the site of scratching, the skin often becomes coarse, takes on an unnatural appearance and thickens.
pyoderma
When combing, infection with pyogenic bacteria often occurs and pyoderma develops.
General malaise
General malaise is the result of numerous bites, allergic reactions, insomnia.
Irritability
Constant itching causes disorders of the nervous system, poor sleep. Fatigue accumulates, irritability appears.
Infection by scratching
If pathogens penetrate through the wounds, infectious infections, especially furunculosis, join.
Reasons for the appearance of bed lice
Body lice appear on contact with an infected person. Parasites do not fly, but they move quickly enough, a short contact with a sick person or contact of outerwear on nearby hangers is enough.
Common sites of lice infestation:
- cheap hotels;
- rest camps;
- barracks;
- places of detention;
- changing rooms in saunas, swimming pools, gymnasiums;
- habitats of the homeless, the marginalized.
Body lice are often found in people who follow the rules of hygiene, regularly washing clothes and linen. The main risk group is made up of volunteers, social services, law enforcement, medical personnel in contact with degraded people. Marginal people who do not change or wash their clothes, living in basements, dirty apartments, brothels, are the main "suppliers" of body lice.
How to retire at home
Body lice are detected by bites on the body and visually on clothing. There is a whole range of measures to completely remove dangerous pests from clothes, closets, an apartment.
Chemical methods
Modern chemicals can quickly and effectively remove lice from the body and clothes. Subject to safety rules, they do not damage clothing, are harmless to people and pets.
Medifox
A group of products for the treatment of the body and clothes against lice and nits. Produced in the form of concentrated solutions, gels. Packaging - ampoules, tubes (gel), dropper bottles. The active substance is permethrin.It is used for the disinfection of premises, the washing of linen. When used on the body, permethrin does not enter the systemic circulation.
Karbofos
Insecticide for the treatment of clothing and linen. The composition is prepared according to the instructions, things are kept for 30-40 minutes, rinsed thoroughly and aired in the sun for several days.
Pediculicidal shampoo
The group of anti-lice preparations in the form of shampoos is easy to use and safe. They are good for removing parasites from the body and hair. Sold without a prescription.
Bubil
The product is used to lather the hair, rub it into the head for several minutes. Rinse thoroughly and comb the hair with a fine comb, removing lice and nits. Re-treat the next day.
pediline
It is used for children from two years old. Apply twice on the head and rub into the hair. Remove lice and nits with a fine comb. If necessary, repeat the treatment after a week.
Anti-lice spray
Lice preparations in the form of sprays have a number of indisputable advantages:
- an effective active substance that kills adults and eggs;
- ease of application and distribution on the body and hair;
- drugs do not need to be diluted, it is convenient to dose;
- safe.
It is important to consider age restrictions, frequency of use and observe simple precautions. Note that sprays are generally more expensive than other products, which pays off in terms of effectiveness. Among the most popular and reliable are Pedikulen Ultra, Paranit, Full Marks.
NOC
Insecticidal anti-lice drug based on permethrin. Available in several forms - shampoo, solution, lice cream. The course of treatment depends on the form.Subject to conditions of use, it acts prophylactically for up to 6 weeks.
Mikrofos
Insecticide for the treatment of premises, including nurseries. The active ingredient is chlorpyrifos (hazard class III). The action of lice lasts 6-8 weeks.
Traditional methods
Our distant ancestors were still able to fight body lice. Folk remedies are safer than chemicals, but they require observance of dosages and caution, as they are poisonous.
tar soap
A popular natural antiseptic based on birch tar. Kills lice, heals wounds in the epidermis, improves blood circulation in the subcutaneous layer. The downside is the characteristic smell of tar.
Tansy decoction
A decoction of tansy to eliminate lice is prepared as follows:
- per liter of water - 2 glasses of flowers;
- simmer on low for 30 minutes, cool;
- strain;
- applied to the body and hair affected by lice;
- stand for 30 minutes (put a shower cap on your hair).
Wash off the solution with soap-free water. The course of treatment is at least 3 days, every day.
Chemichnaya water
Pharmacy remedy for lice in bubbles of 40-100 milliliters, yellow-cloudy appearance. Apply the solution to the hair for 20-30 minutes, then rinse with shampoo. A fine-toothed comb is used to remove lice and nits from the hair. Repeat every other day.
Boiling and steaming
The basis of an effective fight against lice is thorough cleaning of clothes, things and disinfection of the apartment.
Washing rules:
- soak clothes and bed linen in a mixture of washing powder with an antiparasitic drug;
- washing at the highest possible temperature (above 60 °), for natural fabrics - boiling;
- when washing, add an additional dose of a chemical drug against lice;
- washed clothes are ironed, all seams are ironed, exposed to the sun for ventilation for 1-2 weeks.
All these activities are carried out in parallel with the body and hair treatment. The apartment is cleaned with disinfectants, special attention is paid to upholstered furniture, pillows, blankets, blankets. They are treated in the steam generator or handed over to dry cleaning. Furniture, walls, floors are washed with vinegar or Karbofos.
Remember that most lice die at temperatures above 50° and below 0°.
Kerosene
For hair and body care, mix one tablespoon of kerosene, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and 3 tablespoons of shampoo. Apply to hair for half an hour, cover with bag or cap. Rinse well with water and vinegar from the hair, then with shampoo.
Acetic acid
For application to the hair, prepare the following composition:
- vinegar (3%) - 200 milliliters;
- dry mustard - 2 tablespoons;
- eggs - 2.
Lubricate the hair with a cotton swab, leave it under the cap for 30 minutes. Wash, comb.
celandine broth
To prepare the broth, boil (10 minutes) 6 tablespoons of herbs in 0.5 liters of water. Cool, filter. Apply to hair for 20-30 minutes. The treatment is repeated for 3 days.
tea tree oil
Preparation of a composition for the treatment against lice:
- ethyl alcohol, water - 25 milliliters each;
- tea tree oil - 20 drops.
The ingredients are combined, applied for 10 minutes. Treated daily for a week.
birch tar
Tar is used in pure form or ointments are prepared on its basis. They use such a composition - one part sulfur and 2 parts internal tar and lard. Rub until smooth and rub into skin. Wash thoroughly with hair shampoo.
Steam-formaldehyde chamber
For dry cleaning of objects, formalin vapor chambers are used - special devices in which disinfection is carried out using steam, formaldehyde and air. The steam promotes the penetration of formaldehyde deep into the tissues to kill lice.
A temperature of 60° preserves the integrity of fur, wool, rubber and leather items.
Hunger-strike
The only source of food for lice is human blood. If the clothes are changed and not worn regularly, the body lice lost in the folds starve to death in 1-1.5 weeks. This is a method of hunger strike - a radical way to get rid of accidentally isolated parasites.
- In order for lice to breed and live long, they need clothes that cannot be removed or washed.
Reference: lice are companions of difficult war years, campaigns, finding a person in uncomfortable and unsanitary conditions. In hot countries, you almost never find body lice, so symbolic are the clothes.
Bite handling
To prevent infection of wounds and relieve itching from lice bites, it is necessary to treat damaged skin:
- The body is washed with soap - household, tar or other antibacterial.
- Places of bites are cauterized with a solution containing alcohol - calendula, cologne, vodka.
- To eliminate severe itching - antihistamines, bactericidal external agents - Fenistil, Psilo-balsam, Menovazin, Zvezdochka.
- In case of allergic reactions, glucocorticoids are also prescribed - Sinaflan, Flucinar.
Treatment is prescribed by a doctor, you should contact immediately to avoid infection, the development of allergies.
Skin and hair care
Both chemical and natural remedies are used to remove lice from the body and hair and to treat damaged skin.
Important: drugs can cause allergic reactions, safety rules must be observed, face and eyes must be protected.
Benzyl benzoate
Benzyl benzoate ointment and emulsion (10.20%) removes lice from skin and hair.
Chemichnaya water
An inexpensive household product based on hellebore grass. Only works on adult lice, so new treatment is needed.
tar soap
To destroy lice in soap, natural ingredients are used that do not have high activity. The soap is kept on the hair for 30-40 minutes. A new treatment is necessary after one week.
Boric ointment 5%
A simple inexpensive pharmaceutical preparation with boric acid is an antiseptic and anti-lice remedy.
Ithax
A product based on phenotrin, formulated in the form of a lotion and an aerosol. Acts on larvae and adults. Allowed to use from 2.5 years.
Medifox
A remedy based on natural insecticides - chamomile, asters, chrysanthemums. It comes in the form of an emulsion, which is diluted in a ratio of 1/15 and applied to the skin and hair.
Nyuda
German medicine against lice and nits. The active substance has an oily structure, it blocks air access to pests. The product is non-toxic, softens the scalp, facilitates hair styling.
more torque
The medicine for pediculosis in aerosol. A neurotoxic insecticide that combines several active substances. The drug is applied for 10 minutes, no need to cover the hair.
pediline
An effective product to eliminate body lice and prevent infections. Available as a shampoo. The bottle is plastic, the volume is 100 milliliters.
Preventative measures
Lice and other parasites constantly attack humans. Even wealthy people who follow the rules of hygiene sometimes discover to their horror that they have contracted head lice. How to reduce the risk of getting body lice:
- Avoid contact with degraded individuals living in unsanitary conditions. If such a meeting took place, shake out and wash clothes, wash thoroughly.
- Closely monitor skin condition, check clothes, hair on yourself and family members (especially children).
- Don't wear other people's clothes, don't use combs or other individual items.
- When going on a hike or sending children to a camp, carry out preventive treatment with anti-lice preparations.
- Wash linens and clothing, including outerwear, regularly and thoroughly.
Early detection of lice will help to avoid the reproduction of parasites and do with folk remedies.
When body lice appear, you need to thoroughly clean the apartment, closets, wash clothes, remove parasites from the body. Comprehensive and timely measures will help protect other family members and prevent lice from spreading onto your clothes. Chemical or folk remedies will destroy the parasites, and preventive measures will prevent re-infection.