Dichlorvos against lice shows the same effectiveness as in eliminating fleas and cockroaches. But this is a rather aggressive agent that is dangerous to human health. Therefore, it is recommended to use it in extreme cases and with extreme caution. It is better to consult a doctor to find another treatment option that can harm the body less than Dichlorvos.
Types, composition and properties
Dichlorvos is a broad-spectrum pesticide and insecticide. It helps control insects. Previously, the product was very popular and it was believed that it did not harm the human body. But, according to recent research, this opinion is wrong.
It contains many organophosphorus components that negatively affect the state of the nervous system and the entire body. Although, if you take precautions, you can use it to get rid of insects without harming yourself.
The drug contains substances that paralyze the nervous system of parasites in a few seconds. Therefore, it is used to combat lice. This is not the best option, and it is recommended to resort to it only in extreme cases, if other remedies for head lice have not helped. In addition, this can only be done with adults, and it does not help against nits.
Modern Dichlorvos is classified as drugs of the third or fourth class of danger. That is, the remedy is not fatal to humans, but during the treatment of head lice, the pros and cons are weighed before resorting to this method.
The concentration of insecticides in Dichlorvos is higher than in pharmaceutical preparations for lice. Manufacturers do not indicate that the product is suitable for this purpose, but people continue to treat illnesses with it. There are different types:
- Dichlorvos-Neo. Contains cypermethrin and the synergist piperonyl butoxide. The product is odorless and has an immediate effect on insects.
- Dichlorvos Eco. It contains synthetic insecticides and pyrethrins. To improve the smell, lavender flavoring was added to it.
- Dichlorvos Universal. This is a drug that acts on a large number of insects. It has an unpleasant odor, but quickly copes with parasites.
- Dichlorvos Varan. It has the same composition as other products and smells like lemon.
- Dichlorvos Terminator. It consists of cypermethrin and tetramethrin, which paralyze the nervous system and muscle tissue of insects.
Any Dichlorvos contains synthetic insecticides and synergists, under the influence of which the poison penetrates the tissues of insects. Therefore, all manufacturers indicate that if the substance comes into contact with the surface of human skin, there is a risk of poisoning.
Before poisoning lice with Dichlorvos, you need to protect your respiratory organs, eyes and skin.
Although everyone knows about the dangers of the product, many try to get rid of lice with its help. In the presence of body lice, the drug helps to cope with adult insects and their larvae. The active components are not able to penetrate the protective shell of the nit. If you use this aggressive substance against parasites on the head, you can poison not only them, but also the patient.
How safe is Dichlorvos for humans?
Note! Not a single manufacturer indicates on the packaging indications for the use of Dichlorvos for the treatment of head lice or the destruction of lice. All responsibility in case of use lies solely with the consumer. To prevent the insecticide from causing harm to health, do not neglect protective equipment and the rules for using the product. The spray belongs to hazard class 3 and can cause harm to health.
If there are wounds or other damage to the skin, the insecticide can cause severe burning and enter the bloodstream, harming the body from the inside. Do not point the sprayer at unprotected skin, as you may get a chemical burn. In large doses, the drug causes severe poisoning and can provoke anaphylactic shock and death.
It is important to ensure that there are no children in the room while spraying. The effect of a chemical agent can have a strong negative effect on the child’s body.
The effect of Dichlorvos on the human body
A modern insecticide is odorless or has a pleasant aroma of lavender or lemon, but this does not mean that the drug is not harmless to humans. Possible symptoms of poisoning of the human body with Dichlorvos:
- red rashes on the scalp and face, swelling, burns;
- itching, burning, tingling, numbness of the skin that is in contact with the drug.
If a toxic substance is accidentally inhaled or sprayed onto the oral mucosa, you can be poisoned. Signs of such poisoning:
- cough;
- dizziness, spasm of blood vessels in the head;
- convulsions;
- swollen lymph nodes;
- development of conjunctivitis;
- increase in body temperature.
To reduce the negative effects of toxic substances, it is necessary to rinse the eyes with water, induce vomiting, and rinse the stomach. It is recommended to take absorbents (activated carbon, Smecta), and then drink a laxative a little later. It is important to provide the victim with plenty of clean drinking water. If symptoms do not go away after 3-4 hours, you should seek qualified medical help.
Efficiency in the treatment of pediculosis and disadvantages
Dichlorvos is highly effective against many types of insects if you strictly follow the instructions for use. There are also disadvantages:
- The drug is very toxic not only to parasites, but also to people. When using it, there is always a risk of allergies or intoxication.
- It is uncomfortable to use, as it requires lengthy preparation.
- For hair, you will have to carry out restorative procedures, which will negate all the efficiency of the method.
- Effective only on adult insects and hatched larvae. Active substances cannot always penetrate the chitinous shell, so some parasites remain intact. It cannot be said that Dichlorvos is particularly effective against lice and nits. After application, combing should be carried out for several days.
It is recommended to use it in the fight against pediculosis only in case of severe infection, and if it is not possible to use other treatment methods.
Is it possible to remove lice from the head with Dichlorvos?
The modern drug differs from Dichlorvos, which was used in Soviet times. Despite the fact that it is toxic, some people decide to use it to remove lice. Let us pay attention to the features of the drug: the concentration of insecticides in it is higher than in many specialized products against head lice, therefore the effectiveness of treatment can exceed all expectations.
The active ingredient Dichlorvos can have an intestinal or contact toxic effect on lice and nits. In some cases, a combined effect occurs. Chemical components penetrate through the respiratory tract or through the chitinous membrane. But the parasite eggs are protected by a durable coating that prevents the penetration of destructive substances. Therefore, nits must be combed out with a comb, or re-processed after a week.
Dichlorvos has a nerve-paralytic effect on insects, destroying and blocking nerve impulses. After a few minutes, paralysis and death of the parasite occurs. The use of Dichlorvos allows you to kill parasites at once, but you should remember about the danger of this product for the human body, we will talk about this later.
Contraindications and adverse reactions
There is a certain group of people for whom this drug is especially dangerous. It is prohibited to use:
- small children;
- those suffering from bronchial asthma and asthmatic bronchitis;
- for dermatological diseases and damage to the skin;
- pregnant or during breastfeeding.
If Dichlorvos is used against lice incorrectly, allergic reactions and other complications may occur. Therapy should be stopped in the following cases:
- if redness, swelling or burns appear on the surface of the skin;
- if there is itching, burning or a feeling of numbness in the treated area.
Adverse reactions may occur if the substance gets into the throat or stomach during inhalation. In this situation:
- the person begins to cough;
- he feels dizzy and experiences vascular spasm;
- body temperature rises sharply.
If you do not put protection on your eyes and the substance gets on your mucous membranes, you should rinse them with plenty of water. Otherwise, it will cause an inflammatory process.
When the drug enters the respiratory system or stomach, it is necessary to remove toxins from the body as quickly as possible. This is achieved by:
- Lavage the stomach and induce vomiting.
- Using an adsorbent drug like Activated Carbon.
- Taking a laxative some time after gastric lavage.
- Drinking plenty of clean water.
All techniques allow you to cope with intoxication of the body and avoid serious complications.
Advantages and disadvantages
Dichlorvos, used against lice, has a number of advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of the product include availability, reasonable price, and ease of use.
Another advantage is the rapid destruction of lice with Dichlorvos. Also, modern aerosols contain components that are relatively safe for humans and have a detrimental effect only on pests. At the same time, new insecticides are odorless or have a pleasant fruity or floral aroma.
Disadvantages of using Dichlorvos against lice:
- thorough and lengthy preparation for the use of insecticide.
- The new composition of the insecticide is dangerous to human health, although its toxicity is less than that of its predecessors. Therefore, the possibility of intoxication remains.
- Chemicals negatively affect the condition of hair and skin, which requires lengthy, restorative, and expensive measures.
- If you kill lice using Dichlorvos incorrectly, you can get a skin burn or cause allergic reactions.
- The aerosol is not effective against nits, which requires repeated use of the product.
- Dichlorvos can cause irreparable harm to the health of children and pets.
Precautionary measures
When thinking about the question of whether Dichlorvos can remove lice or not, you need to remember safety measures that allow you to achieve your goal without harm to health:
- Treatment should only be carried out in a well-ventilated area or outdoors.
- Make sure there are no allergies. To do this, apply a little product to your wrist and observe the reaction of the skin.
- Prepare all the necessary items. For processing, you need to get a robe to protect your body, a plastic bag, rubber gloves and a mask, goggles and a comb for combing out insects.
What are the contraindications?
The use of Dichlorvos is refused in the following cases:
- for diseases of the respiratory system;
- during pregnancy;
- when breastfeeding;
- if you are allergic to the components of the drug;
- for diseases or damage to the scalp.
It is forbidden to get rid of parasites in young children using a toxic substance
Dichlorvos is not used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Methods of application
The procedure is carried out as follows:
- To prevent an allergic reaction, the skin is pre-lubricated with sunflower oil.
- A cloth bandage is attached to the forehead to protect the face and neck.
- The body is covered with cloth and gloves are put on. You also need to protect your eyes with goggles and wear a mask.
- Take a plastic bag and spray the product into it with several presses, after shaking the can. After this, it is put on the head.
- The bag is secured with a cloth so that the substance does not come into contact with the face.
- Using Dichlorvos for lice and nits, you need to keep it for no more than a quarter of an hour. If unpleasant sensations appear, stop the procedure.
- Remove the package and wash your hair well with mild shampoo. After this, they are rinsed with warm water and vinegar or sour juice. This makes it easier for nits to come off the hair.
- Use a fine-toothed comb to comb the hair to remove dead parasites and their eggs.
To get rid of the problem and avoid relapse, disinfect the surrounding area. The drug is used to treat hairpins, combs, and brushes.
Clothes and bedding are also completely disinfected. After completing all the manipulations, you need to ventilate the home for a long time.
To bring the condition of the scalp back to normal, restorative therapy is carried out. To do this, use pharmaceutical masks and homemade products.
Prevention of head lice
The best alternative to treatment is proper prevention of the disease, which will not allow lice to begin their parasitic activity. Let's consider a number of measures to prevent head lice:
- • regular washing of the head, hair and body in hot water;
- • periodic washing and boiling of bed linen;
- • keeping the house clean, regular cleaning;
- • change of bed and underwear once a week;
- • pre-ironing clothes before wearing
- • distance in public places and transport.
Basically, preventive measures are aimed at temperature effects. It is known that lice cannot tolerate prolonged heating to temperatures of +30°C or more. Cold is also harmful to parasites. Cooling to +20°C causes lice to stop reproducing and their larvae do not develop. However, complete destruction requires cooling to at least -20°C.
Compliance with safety regulations
Before using the product, study the instructions and take safety measures, since the spray belongs to hazard class 3.
For this:
- All family members are examined for the presence of insects.
- The procedure is carried out outside the home, in a ventilated area.
- Make sure there is no allergy by applying a small amount of spray to the skin of the elbow or palm for half an hour.
- Prepare everything necessary for processing: glasses, medical mask, rubber gloves, gown, plastic bag, headband, comb.
These recommendations will help avoid harm and ensure the desired result.
What is Dichlorvos?
This is a spray in an aerosol can containing organophosphorus compounds that are toxic to humans and insects. Phosphorus and chlorine can cause serious poisoning if used incorrectly.
This product is capable of killing cockroaches, bedbugs and beetles, flies and fleas. But let’s look at whether Dichlorvos helps against lice below.
Currently, manufacturers produce Dichlorvos, which contains much less toxic insecticide than the old Soviet product, but contains flavorings designed to make the smell more pleasant.
Varieties
General information
Dichlorvos today is fundamentally different from the one that people remember from the Soviet era. Actually, from that option, the manufacturers, using a publicity stunt, left only the name that everyone remembered.
Dichlorvos actively helps remove many insects, such as fleas, bedbugs, cockroaches, and lice. This article discusses the effectiveness of this drug against head lice and nits.
The current Dichlorvos bottle is filled with completely different, more advanced, sometimes flavored substances. But they are all a combination of synthetic (artificially created) insecticides and are considered harmless to humans.