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Ksenia Emelyanova
Hairdresser-stylist with more than 7 years of experience, teacher-colorist.
Pediculosis is a disease that anyone can encounter, regardless of cleanliness and social rank. However, many are embarrassed to visit the hospital and prefer to solve the problem on their own, using improvised means. In this article we will look at the most popular methods of getting rid of parasites, and also analyze which of them are effective and which do not get rid of the disease at all? We will pay special attention to the frequent question from our readers “is it possible to kill lice and nits with a hair straightener?” What do you think?
Can you kill lice and nits with a hair straightener?
Not really
At what temperature do lice and nits die?
The hairy part of the human scalp has the optimal temperature for the development and reproduction of lice. Temperature fluctuations can disrupt their life cycle. This applies to both minus and plus temperatures.
Parasites react to negative thermometer readings as follows:
- At -5°, adults stop reproducing. The development of nits slows down significantly.
- At -15°, adult individuals begin to die. The life activity of the larvae slows down, but does not stop.
- At -20°, regardless of the stage of development, lice die.
Reference! 45 minutes in 20-degree frost is enough for all parasites to die.
If lice are protected from cold by the natural warmth of the human body and hair, then nothing can save them from heat:
- At +40°, females stop laying eggs.
- At +45°, adult parasites begin to die, the process of nit development slows down, but does not stop.
- At +60° and above , all lice die, regardless of the stage of development.
Advantages and disadvantages
The temperature effect on lice has undeniable advantages compared to treatment with chemicals. First of all this:
- absolute environmental friendliness;
- complete relief from pediculosis. Since nits and lice cannot tolerate high and low temperatures;
- availability of the method;
- Possibility of use without prior preparation.
Like any method, temperature exposure has a number of disadvantages , which include:
- injury hazard. Careless use of high temperatures increases the risk of scalp burns;
- deterioration of hair structure. Exposure to high temperatures damages curls;
- the need for repeated procedures.
The method of temperature changes for eliminating head lice is one of the best, as it allows you to exterminate lice without the possibility of getting a serious side effect. In addition, for better effectiveness, you can combine exposure to cold and hot temperatures.
Find out more about head lice in the following articles:
Can you kill lice and nits with a hair straightener?
If lice die in high temperatures, does that mean they can be eliminated with a hair straightener? The answer is clear - yes! The iron, due to its thermal effect, destroys not only the protective capsule of the larva, but also dissolves the adhesive components with which it adheres to the hair shaft.
Note! Straightening your hair can make it easier for you to comb out dead parasites if your hair is naturally porous and wavy.
At the same time, you should not forget about basic safety precautions: use thermal protection and do not hold the tool in one place for more than two seconds. Prolonged contact of the heating device with the surface of the hair shaft can destroy its structure.
Efficiency in the treatment of pediculosis
Many people are interested in how to get rid of nits using a hair straightener. The lice embryos in the eggs die under the influence of temperatures above sixty degrees. But the iron is not effective against adult insects. Also, more often females attach eggs near the roots of their hair. Therefore, when exposed to heat, there is a risk of skin burns.
Therefore, before removing nits, it is recommended to first wash your hair with anti-pediculosis drugs and burn the remaining eggs with an iron. This must be done with extreme caution.
Is it possible to kill lice and nits with a hairdryer?
A hairdryer can also help in the fight against lice, but jets of hot air will not destroy lice, but only temporarily weaken their adhesion to the surface of the hair. To completely get rid of parasites only with a hairdryer and subsequent combing, you will need at least ten days. In addition, there is a special hair dryer designed only for these purposes.
Methods of temperature influence on lice
Like other insects, lice quickly adapt to insecticides. However, you can fight them in other ways. For example, using high or low temperatures.
Low temperatures:
- - 5 degrees. Parasites stop reproducing and feeding, and the development of nits slows down.
- - 15 degrees. Adults and nymphs die, but the larvae inside the eggs continue to live.
- — 20 nits die.
Studies have shown that at a temperature of -20 degrees, the lice population completely dies within 45 minutes.
High temperatures:
- From + 40 to +45 degrees, females stop laying eggs.
- From + 40 to +60, adults and nymphs die.
- + 60 degrees and above, nits die.
There is an opinion that it is enough for a person with lice to walk without a hat in severe frost and this will help get rid of lice. But that's not true. After all, the human body cannot have a temperature with a minus sign. And the temperature on the scalp will always remain comfortable for lice. However, it is quite possible to fight body louse using temperature methods.
Exposure to high temperatures
In most cases, the body louse is exposed to temperature. Since it lives in clothes, and it can be subjected to any processing. But exposure to high temperatures (painless for humans) can also help in the fight against head and pubic lice.
The effect of high temperatures on body louse:
Ironing things with a hot iron
Particular attention should be paid to folds, seams, pockets and other details. Steaming using a special steamer. This treatment can be applied to: things, clothes, carpets, sofa upholstery and other items in the house
Since the temperature here is very high (more than 100 degrees), most lice and nits die immediately. The steaming procedure should be carried out several times. Boiling. A very effective procedure. Since even boiling water is detrimental to lice and nits. In such conditions they die almost instantly. Wash clothes at maximum temperature. This processing method allows you to destroy most insects and nits. However, there will not be a 100% guarantee of getting rid of parasites.
The effects of high temperatures on head louse:
- Iron or curling iron for styling hair. To do this, heat the device to maximum temperature and treat each strand of hair. Each strand should be processed for at least 2-3 minutes.
- Hair dryer. It should also be set to maximum mode and process the hair for 30 minutes. The method is not 100% effective and lice do not die from exposure to these temperatures. But they weaken significantly and stay on the hair worse. And this makes combing easier.
- A special hair dryer invented by an American researcher showed the best results. This hair dryer blows hot air onto the infected part of the body (temperature +50). What temperature is safe and painless for humans. Treatment for half an hour significantly weakens the insects, and they are combed out more easily. The device is not available to Russian consumers.
After heat treatment, insects should be combed out with a thick comb. The procedure should be carried out three to four times a day.
Exposure to low temperatures
Fighting body louse with low temperatures:
- Ice water. To get rid of insects, infected items should be kept in it for some time.
- Freezing. If it is -20 degrees outside, then you can leave things in the frosty air for several days. This guarantees the death of lice and nits.
- Freezer. If it’s summer outside, then the contaminated items can be put in a bag and put in the freezer for a day. After a few days, repeat the procedure.
After freezing, things should be heat treated (as described above). This approach will increase the chances of success.
How to remove dead parasites from your head?
The process of combing out nits is no less important than antiparasitic treatment. The likelihood of re-infection with pediculosis will depend on the purity of the result. To make this process as comfortable as possible for you, cover your shoulders with a peignoir and lay a newspaper on the floor. Protect your hands with disposable gloves. Prepare a fine-toothed comb and an alcohol solution in advance to periodically wipe the working tool.
Reference! Carry out the procedure during the day near a window or in good artificial lighting - this will make it easier for you to see the pests.
When everything you need is ready, start eliminating the dead parasites. The following instructions will help you with this:
- Using a regular comb, divide your hair into several sections and secure with elastic bands. You can collect one high ponytail and pull out one strand at a time.
- Start combing out the parasites, moving from one ear to the other, and only then proceed to the back of the head. If you have cut your bangs, leave them for last.
- Comb the curl from both sides. After each strand, wipe the tool with an antiseptic solution.
After completing the procedure, do a thorough cleaning of your home. Wash clothes and bedding in hot water.
The most effective lice remedy
This is shaving the hair followed by washing the hair with shampoo, which guarantees complete elimination of parasites in a short time. An ideal method for young children and people suffering from bronchial asthma or allergies, which does not allow the use of any chemicals or scented folk remedies.
For picky adults, there are various anti-pediculosis medications sold in pharmacies. Today it is difficult to say which of these drugs is the most effective, everything is very individual
It is important to remember that the use of any chemical products should be supplemented by combing dead or weakened insects and eggs from the hair using a comb, since they themselves will not disappear - only mechanical removal
Treatment for lice should always be completed with preventive measures to avoid re-infestation: premises, clothes, furniture, carpets are treated with insecticidal pest control agents, bed and underwear are boiled, clothes are shaken out and aired for at least a week, you can also treat them with special preparations before this, daily daily hygiene. These simple steps are required to prevent a new outbreak of the disease.
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Alternative methods of killing parasites
People have many recipes and techniques for getting rid of parasites. Let’s look at the most interesting of them – from innovative to the usual “classics”.
Hair dye
Can hair dye help eliminate head lice? – Yes, but only on the condition that it contains highly concentrated ammonia or hydrogen peroxide. These substances can dissolve the protective shell of the louse, thereby stopping its vital functions. The problem is that such coloring compounds cause harm not only to parasites, but also to the hair shafts and scalp.
Reference! Trichologists believe that coloring is the worst way to combat parasites.
Kerosene
As practice shows, kerosene can destroy adult lice in a short time , which cannot be said about the larvae. The fact is that a nit needs oxygen to a much lesser extent than an adult. Accordingly, she will not feel the harmful effects of kerosene treatment.
It is possible to destroy nits with kerosene, but to do this, the highly concentrated product must be left on the head for several hours. And this can lead to extremely unpleasant consequences, including:
- scalp burn;
- weakening and loss of follicles;
- hair tangling
The product must be used with great caution.
Dust soap
Until numerous insecticides appeared on pharmacy shelves, dust soap was almost the only salvation from lice. Moreover, it really worked - just one wash of hair is enough to completely get rid of traces of lice.
Note! Currently, dust soap is banned for sale in many countries. The reason for this is the extensive list of side effects and contraindications.
By its specificity, it is a simple laundry soap with the addition of the insecticide DDT (in common parlance – dust). Thanks to this, it received its name.
Vinegar
Table vinegar, apple vinegar, wine vinegar - any vinegar whose concentration does not exceed 9% is suitable for antiparasitic treatment of the scalp. However, you still shouldn’t count on 100% results: vinegar makes it easier to remove nits, as it dissolves the adhesive base. But again, it does not kill parasites, but only slows down their vital activity.
Tar soap
The antiparasitic properties of tar soap are due to the presence of various alkalis in its composition. Doctors believe that it can serve as a good and natural addition to the main treatment, but not as an independent remedy. However, the concentration of active substances is too low to eliminate head lice. But it’s worth mentioning the advantages - the tar in soap can speed up the regeneration process, which means that wounds after bites will heal several times faster.
Methods of temperature influence on lice
Like other insects, lice quickly adapt to insecticides. However, you can fight them in other ways. For example, using high or low temperatures.
- - 5 degrees. Parasites stop reproducing and feeding, and the development of nits slows down.
- - 15 degrees. Adults and nymphs die, but the larvae inside the eggs continue to live.
- — 20 nits die.
Studies have shown that at a temperature of -20 degrees, the lice population completely dies within 45 minutes.
- From + 40 to +45 degrees, females stop laying eggs.
- From + 40 to +60, adults and nymphs die.
- + 60 degrees and above, nits die.
There is an opinion that it is enough for a person with lice to walk without a hat in severe frost and this will help get rid of lice. But that's not true. After all, the human body cannot have a temperature with a minus sign. And the temperature on the scalp will always remain comfortable for lice. However, it is quite possible to fight body louse using temperature methods.
In most cases, the body louse is exposed to temperature. Since it lives in clothes, and it can be subjected to any processing. But exposure to high temperatures (painless for humans) can also help in the fight against head and pubic lice.
The effect of high temperatures on body louse:
Ironing things with a hot iron
Particular attention should be paid to folds, seams, pockets and other details. Steaming using a special steamer. This treatment can be applied to: things, clothes, carpets, sofa upholstery and other items in the house
Since the temperature here is very high (more than 100 degrees), most lice and nits die immediately. The steaming procedure should be carried out several times.
Boiling. A very effective procedure. Since even boiling water is detrimental to lice and nits. In such conditions they die almost instantly. Wash clothes at maximum temperature. This processing method allows you to destroy most insects and nits. However, there will not be a 100% guarantee of getting rid of parasites.
The effects of high temperatures on head louse:
- Iron or curling iron for styling hair. To do this, heat the device to maximum temperature and treat each strand of hair. Each strand should be processed for at least 2-3 minutes.
- Hair dryer. It should also be set to maximum mode and process the hair for 30 minutes. The method is not 100% effective and lice do not die from exposure to these temperatures. But they weaken significantly and stay on the hair worse. And this makes combing easier.
A special hair dryer invented by an American researcher showed the best results. This hair dryer blows hot air onto the infected part of the body (temperature +50). What temperature is safe and painless for humans. Treatment for half an hour significantly weakens the insects, and they are combed out more easily. The device is not available to Russian consumers.
After heat treatment, insects should be combed out with a thick comb. The procedure should be carried out three to four times a day.
Fighting body louse with low temperatures:
- Ice water. To get rid of insects, infected items should be kept in it for some time.
- Freezing. If it is -20 degrees outside, then you can leave things in the frosty air for several days. This guarantees the death of lice and nits.
Freezer. If it’s summer outside, then the contaminated items can be put in a bag and put in the freezer for a day. After a few days, repeat the procedure.
After freezing, things should be heat treated (as described above). This approach will increase the chances of success.
