How Do You Get Lice?

In this article, we shall see how people can get lice. When one thinks of lice, the infamous head lice is undoubtedly what pops into mind. Of course, head lice are a common affliction. In fact, it is certain that 99% of the population had suffered from an infestation at one point in their lives. On the upside, these lice are not infectious or in any way an indicator of poor health. On the downside, head lice are not the only type of lice that can appear on a human.

Types of Lice:

  • Head Lice – The most common type. Almost everyone has suffered through it. It is most of all seen in small children, aged 3-12. It is not a disease carrier, and can be cured through easy, but meticulous care. Head Lice are a tan to grayish-white in color.
  • Pubic Lice – It is less common. They are found amongst the coarser hair of the pubic region. Hence, these are generally uncommon before adolescence. In rare occasions, these lice can migrate up to the eyebrows and eyelashes. Also called “crab lice” because of their physical appearance. It is not a disease carrier. Pubic lice are gray in color.
  • Body Lice – These can be termed rare. These are hard to find on the skin, since when they are not feeding they hide and lay their eggs in the seams and folds of clothing. Proven to be a carrier of diseases such as typhoid, trench, and relapsing fever. Body lice are gray in color.

Symptoms of Lice:

  • Itchiness, ranging from mild to severe.
  • Tickling feeling of something crawling through the hair or on the body.
  • Sores and small red bumps and swellings across scalp or skin.
  • Flat, sky-blue boils between the thighs or across the lower abdomen.

how do you get lice

How You Get Lice?

Human lice are a group of parasites that live on the human body and are collectively called Pediculosa. They sustain themselves by feeding on human blood. In addition, they thrive off the warmth and moisture of the human body. Furthermore, these parasites can only survive in a human host. And so it is not possible to get these parasites from other animals, like your pets. How you get lice depends on the type of lice you are suffering from.

  • Head lice are very easy to catch. All it requires is direct or indirect head-to-head contact. You generally get these lice by sharing items like hats, combs, hair bands or brushes with the infected person.
  • Pubic lice, on the other hand, are not as easy to catch. One way to get pubic lice is to sit on the same toilet that was previously used by an infected person. Adults can get pubic lice through sexual or intimate contact. Intimate skin-to-skin contact is necessary for these lice to migrate from one host to another.
  • Body lice, generally occur under unhygienic circumstances. These are, however, very rare in places where modern sanitation and hygiene exists. Body lice lay their eggs in the seams and folds of clothes. They transfer from one human host to another when people share items such as clothes, bed sheets or mattresses with the infected person.

Ways to Get Rid of Lice:

Treating head lice infestations are a time-heavy commitment, and the treatments need to be followed meticulously. Other effective remedies to get rid of head lice are:

1. Comb to Get Lice Out

Using a specialized comb, called a “nit comb”, is the easiest method to get rid of head lice and pubic lice. You can get these combs in any pharmacy or drug store. This method of getting rid of lice can be combined with other methods. It is important to comb the lice and nits (lice eggs) out as most treatments only kill the adult lice. Most times, the nits are left intact. So use the comb to get them out. Make sure to sterilize the comb before and after use.

  • For head lice: use this nit comb to brush out any lice on the scalp. Make sure to part the hair in sections and comb it out. Focus on the area behind the ears and at the back of the head towards the base of the neck. These are the areas lice have been found to be in higher concentration.
  • For pubic lice: part the pubic hair into small sections and comb through with the nit comb. Trimming this area before combing will make it easier to eliminate the lice.

2. Petroleum Jelly to Treat Lice

Petroleum jelly works by smothering the lice and blocking their breathing holes. Furthermore, the petroleum jelly will loosen the hold of the nits on the hair shaft. It is also the best remedy for individuals with extremely sensitive skin. Plain petroleum jelly does not contain any substance that could trigger allergic reactions.

  • For head lice: cover the head generously with petroleum jelly. Wrap the head tight with a shower cap or a thick towel. Leave it on overnight. The next morning use some oil, like baby oil, to wipe away the petroleum jelly. Use the nit comb to comb through the hair and remove any nits. Repeat this for several nights in a row.
  • For pubic lice: apply this generously over the pubic region. Make sure each hair is covered all the way to the base of the hair follicle. Leave it on for a few hours. Then use the nit comb to comb out the nits and dead lice. Repeat this every day for a week.

3. Vinegar to Cure Lice Fast

Vinegar is an excellent home remedy to get lice out of your hair. It is inexpensive and easily available. The high acetic acid content in vinegar is useful in killing head lice and pubic lice. In addition, it helps dissolve dead nits.

  • For head lice: prepare a solution of equal amounts vinegar and mineral oil. Then apply this to the scalp and hair, and cover with a shower cap to leave on overnight. Wash off with your regular shampoo the next day. Repeat this once daily for 7 days.
  • For pubic lice: mix together ¼ cup of vinegar and ¼ cup water. Then to this solution add honey, sugar, and salt. Keep adding these ingredients till the mixture is coarse and thick. Once you have reached this consistency, apply the mixture generously to the pubic hair. Leave it on along with the cotton for a few hours or till it dries. Once it is dry you can scrub this off with the cotton. Slather some baby oil in the area and then soak in a warm bath for a while. Repeat this every day for 5 days.
  • For body lice: mix equal parts white vinegar and vegetable oil. Apply this all over your skin and leave it on for 30-40 minutes. Then rinse it off with warm water.

4. Cure Lice with Almond and Lavender Oil

One way to get lice cured is to use medicated shampoos. But one need not run to a pharmacy to get commercial medicated shampoos. It is very easy, and inexpensive, to make these at home. Essential oils are a good way to get rid of lice. The anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties of the lavender oil are good to treat lice. However, using essential oils directly is not suited to everyone. So you can then use almonds to buffer the lavender oil.

  • Take ½ cup of almond oil and add to it 1 tablespoon lavender oil, 1 tablespoon eucalyptus oil, and 1 tablespoon bergamot oil. Mix this well to form the homemade medicated shampoo.
  • Apply this generously over the hair (of the head or the pubic region, as required). Make sure to cover all the hair and the base of the hair follicles. Leave this on overnight. In addition to suffocating the lice, the lubrication will allow the nits to be combed out with ease. In the morning, use the nit comb to remove the dead lice and nits.
  • Use this treatment once every day for 2 weeks. The lice will be effectively destroyed.

5. Lice Treatment with Indica Leaves

Indica leaves (Neem) are shown to have excellent antibacterial and antiseptic properties. This is one of the most effective remedies to get the lice off the body. It has been used in numerous home remedies to treat many ailments for its medicinal properties. In addition, indica leaves act as a mild natural insecticide, so it is excellent to get lice infestations eliminated.

  • For head lice and pubic lice: take a handful the leaves and grind it well. Form a thick paste from this by adding a little water. Apply this paste generously to the affected region and allow it to dry well. Then scrub this off with lukewarm water. Do this twice daily. Or better results, you can leave it on overnight and then wash it off the next morning. You can be cured of lice in a week.
  • For body lice: take 9 ounces of indica (neem) leaves and boil it in 2.5 quarts of water. Pour the boiled solution into a bathtub. Fill in the rest with warm bath water. Soak in this for 30 minutes. Do this every day till you get rid of all the lice on your skin and body. Make sure to disinfect your clothes and sheets as well. Do this by soaking your clothes in hot indicia leaf water solution for 1 hour. Then wash thoroughly with detergent.

6.) Tea Tree Oil to Cure Lice Infestation

Essential oil treatments are very effective in case you get lice infestations. Furthermore, essential oils contain properties that help to regenerate damaged skin tissues that are a result of scratching. Tea Tree Oil has been found to be the most effective. As a natural insecticide, Tea Tree Oil can very effectively get lice cured. Additionally, Tea Tree oil contains soothing agents that will alleviate itching sensations.

  • For head lice: prepare a mixture of Tea Tree oil and shampoo, by adding 5 drops of the oil to each ounce of your regular shampoo. Use this shampoo to wash your hair. Dry your hair with the heated air from a hair dryer and use a nit comb to remove any lice. Repeat this process every day for 2 months.
  • For body lice: mix together one part tea tree oil and 2 parts water. Apply this over your body and allow it to sit without washing it off. Repeat this several times a day for 1 week to get lice out from your skin and body. You can also use this to disinfect your clothes and sheets. Add a few drops of tea tree oil into a bucket of hot water and soak the clothes for 1 hour. Then wash with your regular detergent.

7. Olive Oil to Treat Lice Naturally

As a kitchen staple, olive oil is easily available and relatively inexpensive a well. This treatment method is good to get rid of any lice from the hair and scalp. Olive oil works as a smothering agent, blocking the breathing holes of the lice. Get lice treated naturally with this home remedy.

  • Apply a generous layer of the oil to the hair. And now, cover your head with a shower cap or any other nonporous material like cling wrap. Let it sit overnight or for 7-9 hours.
  • Before rinsing out with your regular shampoo, comb out the dead lice and nits from the scalp with a nit comb.
  • Now wash your hair with your regular shampoo.
  • Repeat this process in 7-10 days, to get rid of any nits you may have missed out the first time.

8. Fenugreek for Lice Treatment

Fenugreek seeds are another excellent natural remedy to cure lice infestations on the scalp as well as in the pubic region. These seeds contain very potent pesticide, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Follow these steps to get lice treatment naturally –

  • For head lice: Soak one handful of fenugreek seeds in fresh water overnight. Grind the soaked seeds into a paste. (You can mix it with warmed coconut oil and camphor mixture at this stage if desired). Now, apply to hair and scalp, and let it sit for 30 minutes. Wash the paste off. Optionally, rinse hair with camphor water afterward.
  • For pubic lice: Soak a handful of the seeds overnight and then grind it into a smooth paste. Add warm coconut oil while grinding to help with the texture. Make sure the paste is of a thick consistency. Apply a thick layer of this paste on the pubic area. Leave it on to dry. Once it has dried, gently scrub it off with warm water. Now comb through with a nit comb to remove the dead lice and nits. Gently rinse the area with a mild soap and pat dry.

9. Onions to Cure Lice Infestation

This is another inexpensive and effective home remedy to get lice treated. Onion juice is high in sulfur content. This effectively kills any head lice. Pick up this natural remedy in any grocery store. Stick to organic onions. Try this procedure to get lice treated naturally.

  • First grind the onions in a food processor, or blender, to make a paste. Sieve this paste to extract the juice from the onions.
  • Apply this concentrate on your hair and massage into scalp. Cover your head with a shower cap or a thick towel and leave on for 2 hours.
  • Shampoo the juice out thoroughly with your regular shampoo using lukewarm water.
  • Dry your hair thoroughly the heated air from a hair dryer. Use a nit comb to remove any dead lice and nits.
  • Repeat this treatment daily for 3 consecutive days. Later, bring it down to once every week for 2 months to completely get rid of the lice.

10. Get Rid of Lice with Calamine

The biggest symptom of lice is the severe itching sensations following an infestation. These lice can cause severe itching, which can subsequently lead to skin infections. Bringing relief from that intense itching feeling can put a person at ease. Calamine lotions or creams are an excellent choice to not only soothe the skin but also to smother and kill lice. Follow these steps to get lice treated at home.

  • For body lice: Apply a thick layer on the infected areas. Leave it on till it dries. Now carefully wash away the dried calamine lotion. Pat the skin dry and reapply a thin layer of it on the skin. This will help soothe any itching from before. Repeat this continuously for several days to remove infections completely.
  • For pubic lice: Apply a generous coat of calamine lotion on the pubic hair. Let it dry so that the crab lice will be smothered. Once it is dry, gently scrub off with a brush. Comb through the hair with the nit comb to pick up the dead lice and nits.
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