How to quickly and effectively get rid of lice and nits at home

What will help better? A selection of effective drugs from the pharmacy and folk remedies for nits

Nits are lice eggs that are attached near the base of the hair and are very small, white, granular structures. The presence of nits indicates a fairly mature stage of pediculosis .

Lice lay eggs towards the end of the first week of their lives, and if you notice them on your hair, it means that you have been carrying the parasites on your head for at least several days. This state of affairs requires a more thorough approach to treatment and a more careful selection of anti-head lice remedies. What helps against nits and lice? Let's try to figure it out.

How do living individuals develop and what do they eat?

In its development, an adult louse goes through several stages, which in total can last for 2-4 weeks:

• Stage 1 – the female louse lays eggs (nits) approximately 1 mm in size.
• Stage 2 – the larva hatches (this occurs approximately 9 days after the egg appears). Its size is 1.5 mm. This is the first stage of the nymph.
• Stage 3 – the second stage of the nymph begins (1.75 mm).
• Stage 4 – third nymph stage (2 mm).
• Stage 5 – the appearance of an adult male (2.4-3.6 mm) or female (2.3-3 mm).

IMPORTANT. It should be kept in mind that female lice are very fertile and lay 5 eggs (nits) on their hair every day. Having noticed the first signs of the disease, it is necessary to immediately begin treatment.

Living lice lead a parasitic lifestyle and feed on human blood. In this case, the larvae begin parasitizing immediately after emerging from the egg. To grow, they need to feed every 2 hours. An adult requires a minimal amount of blood to maintain life.

general review

Both lice and nits are equally susceptible to the same insecticides, since they are just different stages of the life of the same organism. Therefore, to eradicate both types of formations, you need to follow the general principles of choosing remedies against head lice: take into account the condition of your skin, age, and the presence of allergies.

The form factors of the products remain the same; you are also free to choose between sprays, shampoos, ointments, lotions and folk remedies. But there are a number of recommendations that are relevant only for removing nits. Thus, they are much less susceptible to external influences.

Many
drugs penetrate well through the chitinous cover of adult insects, but the protection of eggs is stronger , and it may be impermeable to such drugs.
They work well against lice, but are useless against nits. Further, there are products that help eradicate nits, but do not kill them.

For example, some shampoos and sprays break down the sticky secretion that attaches the eggs to the hair, making it much easier to comb out with a comb.

Finally, there are products that have such a strong impact and penetrating power that they are not stopped by the natural defenses of the nits, and they penetrate through it, destroying the larva. These are the most powerful insecticidal drugs, but their use carries some risks of allergies and irritation.

It is also worth keeping in mind that in the fight against nits, the subsequent combing procedure is very important. Without mechanical action, it is hardly possible to hatch all the eggs, even when using strong drugs.

Are lice afraid of hair coloring?

The fair half of humanity often wonders whether lice live on colored hair and whether it is possible to use electrical hair styling devices to destroy parasites and their offspring. Firstly, the color and structure of hair does not matter to parasites. They suit the hair of every person without exception. Do lice grow on colored hair? When choosing a victim, insects do not give preference to one or another hair color.

Secondly, if there are parasites, coloring is not the best way to combat them.

Aggressive chemical brighteners based on hydrogen peroxide can only partially destroy lice.

After the procedure, most of the insects will remain alive, and the nits will remain practically untouched. In just 5-7 days, the remaining larvae will leave their shelters and turn into full-fledged bloodsuckers.

Can you kill nits with a hair straightener? Exposure to temperatures above 60 degrees will destroy the embryo in the egg. But the iron will not cope with adults. In addition, sometimes the female attaches eggs in close proximity to the root of the hair and, accordingly, the scalp. Therefore, there is a risk of multiple burns.

How to remove nits from long hair using a straightener? It’s wiser to do the following: wash your hair with a pediculicide and use a hair iron to burn off the remaining eggs. But this must be done carefully so as not to damage the skin or damage the hair. It’s even better to read about how to comb out nits from long hair using a special comb.

Pharmacy remedies for nits

There are a number of preparations based on mineral and essential oils. Their effect is to create a film on the head, which leads to oxygen deficiency in insects and their suffocation. But they only work on lice; if you want to remove nits, they are unlikely to help you.

Paranit and LIceGuard

This is not to say that they are absolutely useless, especially if you are allergic to insecticides, they remain the only possible option.
But when using them, you will have to carry out additional therapy : regular hair combing, the use of other drugs and folk remedies.

Veda and Nittfor

The same can be said for permethrin.
This is an insecticide that attacks the nervous system of insects and leads to respiratory depression. But in nits, the nervous system is not yet formed, and oxygen exchange is rare and superficial.

Therefore, it is impossible to cause paralysis and suffocate them -
this insecticide turns out to be practically useless against nits .
Moreover, by itself it is incapable of even penetrating the shell of the egg in order to have any effect on it. Because of this, permethrin-based products such as Veda and Nittfor are not the best choice.

Organophosphorus preparations

What product kills nits?
The surest way to kill nits is to use organophosphorus preparations. They contain the most powerful insecticides for household use, among which the well-known dichlorvos can be distinguished. But dichlorvos is relatively toxic to the human body , and when applied to the skin it can cause serious irritation. Therefore, only adults with a strong and healthy body should take risks with its use. If this risk passes without negative consequences, then the nits will really be destroyed in the bud.

Couple plus

A group of more gentle, but effective drugs for nits includes Para Plus spray.
It contains three different insecticides, including permethrin, which kills adult insects, and karbofos, which has sufficient penetrating power to kill the insides of nits. Therefore, Para Plus is a self-sufficient means for removing nits from hair.

The drug eradicates all causes and factors for the development of pediculosis . It is also very convenient to apply: just spray the aerosol over the entire length of your hair, leave it on for 10 minutes, and then rinse with warm water.

Pedilin

This remedy for nits can be purchased at the pharmacy in the form of shampoo.
The main active ingredient is karbofos.

It is not as highly effective as Para Plus, but with accompanying procedures it is also capable of reliably eradicating nits.

Hygia

This is a permethrin-based shampoo, but it can be classified as a product that helps in the fight against nits. Why?

Chemical nit removal

It is not difficult to destroy lice using shampoos, lotions and sprays that are low in toxicity to humans. Chemicals will quickly deal with adult bloodsuckers, and some of them will destroy the embryo in the capsule, destroying its shell. The latter include pharmaceutical preparations for lice and nits of targeted action: Pedilin, Medilis and Para-Plus. Before removing nits from long hair, you should read the instructions for these medications and strictly adhere to safety regulations.

Chemicals are applied according to the instructions and left on the head for the specified time. Then the product is thoroughly washed off the hair with running water. Some formulations will require repeated rinsing. It is advisable to carry out the treatment again after about 7 days to destroy the larvae hatched from the eggs, which are especially resistant to the effects of the insecticide.

The action of the chemical drug can be combined with a mechanical method of removing parasites. After the first treatment with insecticide, wet hair should be combed with a comb. This will avoid repeated toxic effects on the human body. Combing will remove weakened but not dead insects from the hair. And if you repeat combing daily for 3-4 days, the pediculicide will no longer be needed.

Folk remedies

In terms of their strength, many traditional recipes are not inferior to modern drugs and reliably destroy lice eggs. Therefore, many people tend not to trust the pharmacy range at all and remove lice the old fashioned way.

It cannot be said that this is a completely correct tactic, since the use of folk remedies for nits at home has a huge drawback - an increased danger of use . How to get rid of nits using folk remedies with minimal risk to health? To do this, let's take a look at some of the arsenal of tools in more detail:

Dust soap

Dust soap, which is based on DDT, is stronger than even dichlorvos. One treatment of the head with such soap is enough to completely remove all parasites.

Kerosene

Kerosene is safer, but this fact does not make it completely harmless to humans.
This is a toxic, flammable substance. If the exposure time (20-30 minutes) to kerosene on the head is exceeded, it can cause skin burns .

It is advisable not to use it in its pure form, but mix it with shampoo.

Table vinegar

Table vinegar is good because it completely corrodes the attachment of nits to the hair, after which it becomes much easier to remove them.
Dilute the substance with water in a ratio of 1 to 1 and rinse your hair with this mixture after washing. Its main danger is that ignorant people may confuse it with vinegar essence - its use promises very severe burns.

Hellebore water

Hellebore water is extremely poisonous to insect eggs, but is safe for humans when used externally.
However, it is strictly forbidden to allow this substance to get inside; this can lead to severe poisoning.

Cranberry juice

Cranberry juice is an economical option, especially for residents of the northern regions. By itself, it does not kill nits, but corrodes their attachment , so it will show its effectiveness coupled with thorough combing of the head.
Note: what nits are most afraid of is the corrosive effect of strong substances based on acids or powerful poisons. “Gentle” folk remedies (masks, lotions, etc.) that do not have such effects are completely useless when used against nits.

If you do not want to take risks using kerosene or vinegar, then it is better to spend money on pharmaceutical preparations for removing nits.

Find out more information about folk remedies for nits in the video below:

Why is it so difficult to kill nits?

Despite the fact that larvae and adult insects move quite quickly, it is easier to fight them in practice. It is enough to choose an effective remedy that will eliminate parasites. However, killing nits is much more difficult, especially since you then need to remove them from the hair. If you leave live eggs on your hair, they will hatch after the required period - and the parasites will again cause inconvenience.

Lice eggs are firmly attached to the hair and are almost impossible to wash off with water or comb out with a regular comb. In addition, only air penetrates into the capsule from the outside; the embryos themselves are reliably protected.

How to get rid of nits quickly and reliably

The progress of modern society does not reduce the risk of contracting certain diseases. Among them is pediculosis. Just like several hundred years ago, lice continue to exist. It’s still just as easy to “pick up” them. And you have to try hard to get rid of it. Especially when it comes to nits. Nature took care of the kids: it provided them with a secluded “house” in which their safety and development are ensured. To get rid of parasites, it is not enough to kill adult individuals. It is necessary to exterminate all forms of insect life. Let's figure out how to get rid of nits in order to confidently fight back against lice.

How to distinguish live nits from dead ones

Live nits can be easily distinguished from dead ones. However, the main differences primarily lie in appearance.

So, the following signs are characteristic of a living nit:

• White color,
• when illuminated, the surface of the egg shines,
• the capsule has a convex shape.

In addition, if you try to crush a live nit, it will make a characteristic click.

What do dead nits look like, why can they be dry (empty), are they transmitted?

Dead nits look like this:

• have a duller and faded appearance,
• the surface of the egg acquires a gray-yellow tint,
• capsules lose their convex shape,
• There is no click when pressed.

It should be noted that the louse egg becomes empty after the live larva emerges. At the same time, the shell itself continues to hang on the hair.

Dead nits are not transmitted in any way . However, in any case, they will have to be removed.

Features of the functioning of the cocoon

The female, laying an egg, wraps it in sticky mucus. This substance is designed to reliably attach developing offspring to human hair. The liquid that comes out of the genitals along with the egg quickly hardens in the air. As a result, a cocoon is formed, which is almost impossible to damage or remove.

The formation is resistant not only to mechanical damage, but also to unfavorable conditions around it. The developing larva inside the cocoon does not die when the temperature rises or falls, the values ​​of which are detrimental to the adult insect. At what temperature lice and nits die, you can find out on our website.

What do nits look like?

Nits are located precisely at the base of the hair, since their maturation requires a certain ambient temperature, and it is approximately equal to the temperature of the human body. When the temperature drops below 23 C, most of the clutches do not hatch

In appearance, nits resemble elongated grains; they can often be detected not so much visually as tactilely: they resemble sand stuck in the hair. You won't be able to shake them off. Nits may be whitish immediately after laying or after the larva emerges (the egg capsule remains attached to the hair). At the end of the maturation process, the egg darkens and turns brown, so it will be difficult to recognize it on dark hair.

The larva emerges from the cocoon 7-10 days after laying - this depends on the temperature around it. Approximately the same amount of time passes, and the imago - the second stage of the larva - transforms into an adult insect, capable of fully feeding and reproducing

Ways to combat nits

Since only a few are ready to part with their hair, other methods are needed to combat the proliferation of annoying parasites. Depending on the specific situation, one of the possible methods is selected: the use of industrial preparations (ointments, shampoos, sprays), folk remedies, mechanical processing. Preference can be influenced by:

• price of the drug;
• duration of the procedure;
• presence of contraindications.

There is no generally accepted panacea. Everyone chooses the most suitable option for themselves, combines or sorts out many means before finding the ideal solution.

Pharmacy products

Most pharmaceutical products are effective in combating adult insects, but are useless when the need arises to deal with nits. Many substances are not able to get inside the dense shell of the cocoon. Some components, even reaching the body of the developing larva, do not have the desired effect. Since many systems and organs of a young insect are not yet formed.

Preparations based exclusively on permethrin (Veda, Nittfor) are not used to combat parasite eggs. The active substance does not penetrate inside the cocoon and does not have the desired effect. Preparations based on natural components (essential, mineral oils) are ideal for allergy sufferers, but cope exclusively with adult representatives of parasites.

Note! The use of Paranit and LIceGuard will have to be supplemented with other methods of combating.

The ideal method for killing nits is the use of organophosphorus bases. These are powerful insecticides that act on a wide range of parasites. Dichlorvos is considered the most famous. It kills insects at any stage of development. The main disadvantage of the drug is its high toxicity. It affects not only parasites, but also the human body. Spraying on the skin is fraught with extensive irritation, allergies, and poisoning.

It makes sense to use dichlorvos only for treating premises and things.
You can buy a 150–200 ml bottle for 60–160 rubles. Another cheap and effective way is ointment. The mercury, sulfur, boron base is designed to corrode the chitinous shell of adult representatives, the protective shell of the egg.
The method is characterized by high toxicity to the human body. Treatment will take from 2–4 days to the same number of weeks. The death of adult insects occurs quickly; getting rid of nits is more difficult. The product is smeared over the hair after washing and drying, after 20–30 minutes the hair is thoroughly washed with shampoo.

Depending on the type of ointment, a prescription may be needed. You can buy a 10–20 g tube for 4–30 rubles. Depending on the volume of hair, a single procedure may require several pieces.

The most acceptable method of combating nits is the “Para Plus” spray. It contains several insecticides. These include permethrin, karbofos (malathion). The first one copes well with adult insects. The rest infect cocoons. Permethrin interferes with breathing and motor activity. Karbofos dissolves the internal organs of “babies”. The product is convenient to use: just spray the spray along the entire length of your hair, and after 10 minutes, rinse with warm water and shampoo. For a 116 g cylinder you will have to pay about 500 rubles.

is considered a good remedy for nits . The drug is based on karbofos. The substance copes well with the cocoon shell, affecting the undeveloped larva. The form of the product is convenient to use: just wash your hair as with your usual shampoo, leaving the foam on your head for a few minutes. You can often get rid of parasites in one go. In some cases, it is necessary to repeat the treatment after a week. For 100 ml of product they pay an average of 60–100 rubles.

Sometimes Hygia shampoo is used to get rid of parasite eggs. The basic active ingredient - permethrin - is supplemented with acetic acid. The component helps to dissolve the egg attachment. The cocoons become mobile, they are easier to remove, wash, and comb out. Shampoo is applied to the hair and the scalp is treated. After 20 minutes of exposure, the product is washed off. The drug is supplemented with a comb for mechanical processing, since without it the effectiveness against larvae in the development stage is weak. For 120 ml of shampoo they pay 250–350 rubles.

Folk remedies

Most non-special purpose products have a less noticeable therapeutic effect or increased danger when used. Various herbs have long been used to combat parasites.

Sprays

Sprays (Pedikulen, Paranit, Para Plus) are very convenient to use. They need to be applied to dry hair, wait a certain time, then rinse off. But the downside is that most of them do not kill nits.

Therefore, combing cannot be avoided - this is the main disadvantage.

Depending on the situation, you should choose a specific remedy. You should consider contraindications, read reviews, consult with friends, or write anonymously on the forum.

In case of very severe infection, Pediculen Ultra is used.

Para Plus is recommended for use by children from 2.5 years of age.

The main plus of the sprays is very convenient to use.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF SPRAYS USING THE EXAMPLE OF PEDICULEN ULTRA:

1. Apply to dry hair until the hair is completely moisturized in areas where nits and lice accumulate.
2. Wait 30 minutes or more, see instructions.
3. Rinse off with running water.
4. Wash your hair with shampoo.
5. Comb out insects with a comb. Place a towel under your hair so as not to wet your clothes and falling insects will remain on it and not on your clothes; wash it after the procedure.

A handy addition is a magnifying glass.

After use, the hair is clean, but it is worth checking it after a few days.

Choosing an effective remedy

The fight against nits is a specific process. Most drugs have little effectiveness against representatives of this stage of insect development. Choosing the most effective remedy is simple: you need to combine different types of control to destroy lice.

The mechanical method of removing eggs is always taken as a basis. Regular thorough treatment is the key to obtaining effective results. Additionally, drugs are used that reduce the stability of nit attachment. Without them, even the mechanical method will become ineffective. As the third component, 1 of the suitable insecticides is selected.

Can there be nits without lice, what to do if there are nits but no lice

Sometimes there are cases when nits are found on the head, but there are no adults. This can happen if the hair has been exposed to a chemical. For example, painting with a dye containing hydrogen peroxide can kill adult lice. However, the harmful effects of this chemical were not enough to destroy the eggs themselves.

When faced with such a situation, in any case, it is necessary to take measures to eliminate nits, since after a short time living larvae can hatch from them.

Preventing re-infection

Any treatment against parasites must be carried out carefully. During the procedure, precautions are taken.
It is important to protect others from infection. There is a high probability of recurrent pediculosis. Single nits left in the hair are capable of developing and continuing to reproduce. Parasites run the risk of remaining on clothing, bedding, and furniture. To prevent re-infection, it is necessary to thoroughly treat the surrounding area. This applies to all household items.

To minimize the likelihood of a new infection outside the home you will need:

• limit close contacts with strangers;
• behave more carefully in public places;
• refuse to use other people's things;
• Carry out a thorough examination and preventive sanitation in cases of suspicion.

Any situation favorable to infection should raise red flags. Timely measures taken will help prevent the problem from arising or worsening. You can learn more about measures to prevent head lice on our website.

Dealing with lice is not that difficult. Removing nits is already a more difficult task. To achieve results, a competent, well-planned approach is required. First you need to know how to effectively fight parasites.

Learn more about head lice with the following articles:

Where do nits come from?

Most often, lice are transmitted through close contact, during which the louse moves on to the next victim. The nit cannot move on its own, so this type of infection is less common. This can happen if you share a comb, a hat, a bobby pin, or a hair tie.

Under the age of 12, children are constantly in contact with peers, so the prevalence of head lice in children and adolescents is high. And if a disease is detected in one of the students, it is recommended that all his classmates, as well as their families, undergo treatment.

How is a nit different from a louse?

A person who is not familiar with lice may confuse nits with dandruff. There are several significant differences that will allow you to determine the true cause of the appearance of white spots at the hair roots.

1. Dandruff flakes have different sizes and irregular shapes. The shape of the nits is round and smooth. The size of each egg is practically the same.
2. Dandruff easily moves along the length of the hair and is also easily removed. But the sticky shell of the nit holds it firmly at a certain height from the scalp. To remove a nit, you need to grab it firmly with your nails and pull it off the hair. When pressing with a fingernail, a distinct click is heard.
3. Dandruff flakes can be found on the collar of a shirt, on the shoulders of outerwear. Nits can leave the head only with the hair.
4. The main symptom of lice is severe itching, and if dandruff is present, it can cause minor skin irritation.
5. The localization of dandruff is concentrated on the crown of the head, but the favorite places for laying nits are the frontal, occipital and temporal parts of the head.

It should also be noted that dandruff is a purely personal problem of an aesthetic nature. But pediculosis becomes a problem for the entire person’s immediate environment (family, team), since the parasites are constantly in search of food and will not miss the chance to spread to new pastures.

To clarify the diagnosis and determine the exact source of deterioration of the hair condition, it is recommended to consult a specialist with a medical education - a dermatologist.

Prevent lice - how to do it

The old Soviet slogan “Cleanliness is the key to health” is more relevant than ever . To prevent lice infection, simply stick to it. Several recommendations for the prevention of this unpleasant disease:

• always use only your own combs and hats ;
• avoid contact with other people's hair;
• try not to lean against fabric headrests in public transport;
• clean hats regularly ;
• wet cleaning of the room with the obligatory use of a vacuum cleaner if there are carpets and rugs;
• personal hygiene;
• Periodically check your scalp for parasites.

is always easier
to prevent the appearance of parasites than to later eradicate them from the body and deal with the consequences, asking questions like “how to quickly get rid of nits on long hair?”

But if “guests” have arrived, then it is necessary to start treatment in a timely manner in order to prevent the disease from starting and spreading to other people.