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Lice are parasites that live by infesting humans and sucking their blood. There
are several types of lice.
What to look for
head lice: intense
itching on the scalp, especially behind the ears and at the nape of the neck.
body lice:
unexplained scratch marks on the body, hives, eczema, and red pimples.
pubic lice:
continual itching around the pubic area.
Lice are not usually
dangerous but they do cause considerable annoyance and irritation. They are also very
contagious and should be treated to avoid spreading the parasite.
Head lice (nits)
are highly contagious and frequently affect school children because they can easily jump
form child to child. The lice are about the size of a sesame seed and can be easily seen.
However, their eggs are not so easily seen.
Pubic lice (crab
lice) are crab like insects which cling to the pubic hair and transmitted by
close personal or sexual contact.
Body lice
are nearly identical in appearance to head lice but are more difficult to find. They occur
less often than head lice and need to feed regularly. They thrive in condition in which
the person does not change clothes very often. When not feeding, they tend to hide in
clothing and bedding.
Causes
Contrary to common belief,
lice are not related to poor hygiene, except occasionally in the case of body lice. Lice
will transfer from host to host and especially thrive in densely populated areas.
Traditional Treatment
Your doctor will attempt to
remove the lice - this can take time as they can also be in clothes and bed linen.
There are treatments
available in pharmacies that will get rid of head lice. They are usually in the form of a
shampoo.
In the meantime, it is
advisable that people infected with lice stay away from others to avoid spreading the
lice. Continually wash and sterilise all bed linen, clothing and towels and face washers.
To treat body lice, wash
the entire body with soap and water. If this is not effective, you may have to use an
insecticidal preparation, which usually kills all the lice. As above, wash all clothing
and bed linen, towels and face washers.
Pubic lice is treatable by
over-the-counter preparations and the same applies as above. Also you should let any
partners know about the lice so they can take all the necessary treatments and
precautions.
Alternative/Natural
Treatments
Several alternative
treatments may make it easier to get rid of lice.
Aromatherapy -
For
treatment of head lice, wash the hair and rinse slowly with 6 drops each of essential oils
of
rosemary and red thyme mixed in a litre of
warm water. You may substitute this combination with 12 drops of essential oil of lavender. For
treatment of head lice, wash the hair and rinse slowly with 6 drops each of essential oils
of
rosemary and red thyme mixed in a litre of
warm water. You may substitute this combination with 12 drops of essential oil of lavender.
Dry the hair naturally,
then comb with a fine-toothed comb. For prevention, soak your comb in water with 10 drops
of essential oil of red
thyme, and comb hair
thoroughly.
Prevention
It is vital to try to
prevent major outbreaks of this condition, especially head lice. Notify your school
authorities if you suspect your child has head lice.
When to seek further
professional advice
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