It takes 5 to 10 days for nits to develop into small lice, which need another week to grow further and lay new eggs (nits).
Although many believe that lice problems are a thing of the past. The truth is that many parents still struggle with these parasites that infest their children’s hair.
They can be transmitted through direct contact with the heads. Therefore, if you learn that your child has, try to keep a distance to avoid transferring them to yourself. Then, engage in a constant cleaning routine for both yourself and your child.
Lice can infest any type of hair: curly, straight, dyed, or natural. Contrary to popular belief that hair dye kills lice, it doesn’t prevent them from settling in such an environment.
The first signs that your child has lice are small, tiny nits at the root of the hair resembling dandruff. When observed closely, they appear rounded rather than flat, and they cannot be easily removed, but require pulling to detach from the hair.
In addition, children may show signs of scratching in the areas under the scalp, around the neck, and near the ears.
Lice are most commonly transmitted through direct contact with an “infected” person or by using shared items such as combs or brushes. Itching occurs as a result of the saliva lice leaves while feeding. Small wounds on the head often indicate the presence of lice. With the areas around the ears and neck being their preferred spots due to the warmth.
The wounds look like small red or pink dots, sometimes with dried blood. Excessive scratching can lead to infections.
How to Deal with Lice? To better deal with lice, it’s essential to understand their life cycle. Lice develop from nits (eggs) to nymphs (small lice) and become adults.
If you are using over-the-counter products to treat lice, it is advisable to follow the instructions on the package.
A natural remedy involves a mixture of vinegar and essential oils. Mix one cup of white or apple cider vinegar with one cup of warm water. Apply the mixture to the child’s head, cover it with a shower cap, and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Afterward, wash the hair as usual with shampoo.
For the second step, create a mixture of essential oils and vinegar to aid in the easy removal of lice and nits. Mix 50ml melted coconut oil with 2-3 drops of tea tree essential oil, 2-3 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil, and 50ml apple cider vinegar. Apply this mixture to the hair, let it sit for about 20 minutes, then wash the hair with regular shampoo. Repeat this process on the 9th day to eliminate any remaining parasites.
If you are unable to rid your child of using pharmacy products or natural remedies, consider cutting their hair short. Short hair makes it much easier to deal with these parasites. Stops the child from scratching, and the hair will grow back.
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