How can you naturally treat pubic lice at home. What are the most effective over-the-counter treatments for crabs. How long do pubic lice survive on clothing and bedding. What steps should you take to prevent reinfestation after treatment.

Understanding Pubic Lice: Causes, Symptoms, and Identification

Pubic lice, commonly known as crabs, are tiny parasitic insects that infest the pubic hair area. These pests are typically spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact, including sexual activity. However, they can also be transmitted through sharing clothing, towels, or bedding with an infected person.

Common Symptoms of Pubic Lice Infestation

Recognizing the signs of pubic lice is crucial for prompt treatment. The most common symptoms include:

• Intense itching in the pubic region
• Visible lice or eggs on pubic hair
• Small blue or gray spots on the skin
• Fever or irritability in severe cases

Are pubic lice visible to the naked eye. Yes, adult pubic lice are typically 1-2 mm in length and can be seen without magnification. They appear as small, crab-like insects clinging to the base of pubic hair shafts.

Over-the-Counter Treatments for Pubic Lice

Fortunately, pubic lice are easily treatable with over-the-counter medications. These treatments come in various forms, including shampoos, gels, and foams. Some popular brands include:

1. A-200
2. Rid
3. Nix

When using these products, it’s essential to follow the instructions carefully. In some cases, a second application may be necessary after 7-9 days to ensure complete eradication of the lice.

Prescription Treatments for Stubborn Infestations

For more severe cases or when over-the-counter treatments fail, prescription medications may be required. These can be obtained from a healthcare provider and are typically stronger than their OTC counterparts.

Do you need to see a doctor for pubic lice treatment. In most cases, over-the-counter treatments are sufficient. However, if symptoms persist after using OTC products or if you have lice in your eyebrows or eyelashes, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional.

Natural Remedies for Pubic Lice: Fact vs. Fiction

While many people seek natural remedies for pubic lice, it’s important to distinguish between effective treatments and myths. Contrary to popular belief, home remedies such as hot baths or shaving do not effectively eliminate pubic lice.

Debunking Common Myths

• Hot baths: While they may provide temporary relief, they do not kill lice
• Shaving: This may remove visible lice but doesn’t address eggs attached to hair shafts
• Essential oils: There’s limited scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness against pubic lice

Can tea tree oil kill pubic lice. While some studies suggest tea tree oil may have insecticidal properties, there’s insufficient evidence to recommend it as a standalone treatment for pubic lice. It’s always best to use proven, medically-approved treatments.

Comprehensive Treatment Plan: Beyond Medication

Effectively treating pubic lice involves more than just applying medication. A comprehensive approach includes:

1. Treating all sexual partners simultaneously
2. Washing all clothing, bedding, and towels in hot water
3. Dry cleaning items that can’t be washed
4. Vacuuming rugs and upholstered furniture

How long should you quarantine items that can’t be washed. Items that cannot be washed or dry cleaned should be sealed in a plastic bag for at least two weeks. This ensures that any lice or eggs present will die due to lack of a human host.

Preventing Reinfestation: Key Strategies for Long-Term Success

After successfully treating pubic lice, it’s crucial to take steps to prevent reinfestation. Here are some effective strategies:

• Avoid sexual contact until treatment is complete
• Inform all sexual partners from the past month
• Regularly inspect the pubic area for signs of lice
• Avoid sharing personal items like towels or clothing

How soon after treatment can you resume sexual activity. It’s recommended to abstain from sexual activity until both you and your partner(s) have completed treatment and are confirmed to be lice-free. This typically takes about 7-10 days after initial treatment.

The Lifecycle of Pubic Lice: Understanding the Enemy

To effectively combat pubic lice, it’s helpful to understand their lifecycle. Pubic lice go through three stages:

1. Nits (eggs): Attached to hair shafts, hatch in 6-10 days
2. Nymphs: Immature lice that mature in about 7 days
3. Adults: Can live up to 30 days on a human host

How long can pubic lice survive without a human host. Adult pubic lice typically die within 24-48 hours when removed from a human host. However, eggs can survive for up to 10 days off the body, which is why thorough cleaning of personal items is crucial.

Pubic Lice and Other STIs: The Importance of Comprehensive Testing

While pubic lice are not directly linked to other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), their presence can indicate potential exposure to other STIs. It’s advisable to undergo comprehensive STI testing if you’ve been diagnosed with pubic lice.

Common STIs to Test For

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• HIV
• Syphilis
• Hepatitis B and C

Does the presence of pubic lice increase the risk of other STIs. While pubic lice themselves don’t increase the risk of other STIs, they are often acquired through similar routes of transmission. Therefore, if you’ve been exposed to pubic lice, you may have also been exposed to other STIs, making comprehensive testing prudent.

Emotional and Psychological Impact of Pubic Lice Infestation

Dealing with pubic lice can be emotionally challenging for many individuals. Common psychological effects include:

• Embarrassment and shame
• Anxiety about intimate relationships
• Feelings of uncleanliness
• Stress related to treatment and prevention

It’s important to remember that pubic lice infestation is a common condition that can affect anyone, regardless of personal hygiene habits. Seeking support from healthcare providers or counselors can be beneficial in managing the emotional aspects of the experience.

Coping Strategies for Emotional Well-being

1. Educate yourself about pubic lice to dispel myths and reduce anxiety
2. Communicate openly with sexual partners about the situation
3. Practice self-care and stress-reduction techniques
4. Seek professional help if emotional distress persists

How can you support a partner diagnosed with pubic lice. Offer emotional support, avoid blame or judgment, and participate in the treatment process together. Open communication and mutual understanding are key to navigating this situation as a couple.

Global Prevalence and Demographics of Pubic Lice Infestations

While exact global prevalence is difficult to determine due to underreporting, pubic lice infestations occur worldwide. Some interesting demographic trends include:

• Higher prevalence among young adults and adolescents
• Similar infection rates among males and females
• Increased risk among individuals with multiple sexual partners
• Potential correlation with socioeconomic factors

Has the prevalence of pubic lice changed over time. Some studies suggest a potential decrease in pubic lice prevalence in recent years, possibly due to changing grooming habits such as pubic hair removal. However, more research is needed to confirm this trend.

Pubic Lice in Different Regions

While pubic lice are found globally, prevalence and treatment approaches can vary by region:

• North America: Easy access to OTC treatments, comprehensive sex education programs
• Europe: Similar to North America, with variations in healthcare systems
• Asia: Prevalence may be underreported due to cultural stigma
• Africa: Limited data available, potential challenges in access to treatment
• South America: Varied approaches depending on country and healthcare infrastructure

Do pubic lice prefer certain climates or environments. Pubic lice are adapted to the specific environment of human pubic hair and are not significantly affected by external climate conditions. They can thrive in any region where humans are present.

Pubic Lice in Special Populations: Considerations and Precautions

While pubic lice treatment is generally straightforward, certain populations require special considerations:

Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult a healthcare provider before using any lice treatment. Some medications may not be safe during pregnancy or lactation.

Children and Adolescents

In rare cases where children or adolescents contract pubic lice, it’s crucial to consider potential signs of abuse. Healthcare providers are trained to address these sensitive situations.

Immunocompromised Individuals

People with weakened immune systems may be more susceptible to complications from pubic lice infestations and may require closer medical supervision during treatment.

Can pubic lice infest other parts of the body. While pubic lice primarily infest the pubic region, they can occasionally be found in other coarse body hair, such as chest hair, beards, or eyelashes. In these cases, specialized treatment under medical supervision is necessary.

Emerging Research and Future Treatments for Pubic Lice

While current treatments for pubic lice are generally effective, ongoing research aims to develop new approaches:

• Novel insecticides with reduced potential for resistance
• Biological control methods using natural predators of lice
• Improved diagnostic tools for early detection
• Potential vaccine development for long-term prevention

Are pubic lice developing resistance to current treatments. While there have been isolated reports of resistance to some treatments, most cases of pubic lice still respond well to available medications. Ongoing monitoring and research are essential to address potential resistance issues.

Technological Innovations in Lice Treatment

Emerging technologies are also being explored for lice treatment and prevention:

1. Nanoparticle-based treatments for improved efficacy
2. Smart fabrics with built-in insect repellent properties
3. AI-powered diagnostic tools for rapid identification
4. Ultrasonic devices for non-chemical lice elimination

While these innovations are promising, further research and development are needed before they become widely available.

Environmental Impact of Pubic Lice Treatments

As with many pest control methods, the environmental impact of pubic lice treatments is an important consideration. Some key points include:

• Potential water pollution from chemical treatments
• Effects on non-target organisms in aquatic ecosystems
• Carbon footprint associated with product manufacturing and distribution
• Waste generated from packaging and discarded treatment products

Are there eco-friendly alternatives for treating pubic lice. While research into environmentally friendly treatments is ongoing, current effective treatments still rely on chemical insecticides. Proper disposal of treatment products and minimizing unnecessary use can help reduce environmental impact.

Balancing Efficacy and Environmental Concerns

Efforts to develop more environmentally friendly treatments focus on:

1. Biodegradable formulations
2. Reduced packaging waste
3. Plant-based insecticidal compounds
4. Improved targeted delivery to minimize environmental exposure

These approaches aim to maintain treatment efficacy while reducing ecological impact.

The Role of Public Health Education in Pubic Lice Prevention

Comprehensive public health education plays a crucial role in preventing and managing pubic lice infestations. Key aspects of effective education programs include:

• Age-appropriate sex education in schools
• Community outreach programs targeting high-risk populations
• Healthcare provider training on sensitive communication
• Public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma

How can schools effectively address pubic lice education. Schools can incorporate pubic lice information into broader sexual health curricula, focusing on prevention, recognition of symptoms, and proper treatment. It’s important to present this information in a factual, non-judgmental manner.

Leveraging Technology for Public Health Education

Modern technology offers new avenues for disseminating public health information:

1. Mobile apps providing symptom checkers and treatment guides
2. Social media campaigns to reach younger demographics
3. Virtual reality simulations for healthcare provider training
4. Online forums for anonymous questions and support

These technological approaches can complement traditional education methods, ensuring wider reach and accessibility of crucial health information.

Legal and Ethical Considerations in Pubic Lice Cases

While pubic lice infestations are primarily a medical issue, there can be legal and ethical considerations in certain situations:

• Mandatory reporting in cases involving minors
• Potential legal implications of knowingly transmitting lice
• Privacy concerns in partner notification
• Workplace policies regarding infestations

Are there legal consequences for intentionally spreading pubic lice. While laws vary by jurisdiction, intentionally spreading pubic lice could potentially be considered a form of assault or battery in some cases. However, such cases are rare and often difficult to prove.

Ethical Dilemmas in Partner Notification

Healthcare providers often face ethical challenges when it comes to partner notification:

1. Balancing patient confidentiality with public health concerns
2. Addressing potential domestic violence situations
3. Navigating cultural sensitivities around sexual health
4. Ensuring equitable access to treatment for all affected parties

These ethical considerations require careful navigation and often benefit from established guidelines and protocols.

Where Can I Get Treated For Pubic Lice?

In This Section

• Pubic Lice (Crabs)

• What are the symptoms of pubic lice?

• Do I have pubic lice?

• How do I treat pubic lice?

• How can I prevent getting or spreading pubic lice?

Pubic lice are easy to treat — you usually don’t even need a doctor’s prescription. You can get over-the-counter pubic lice treatment at a drugstore, or from your nurse or doctor.

What’s the treatment for pubic lice?

Pubic lice treatments are easy to use and come in gels, shampoos, liquids, and foam. Most are sold over-the-counter in drugstores, so you can buy them without getting a prescription from a doctor first. Common brands are A-200, Rid, and Nix. Follow the directions that come in the package carefully. You may need to use the treatment more than once.

You can get stronger medicines for pubic lice with a prescription. If you have lice in your eyebrows or eyelashes, you need a special kind of treatment that you can only get from your nurse or doctor. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your nurse or doctor before using any treatment.

Anyone you’ve had intimate contact with should treat themselves at the same time, so you don’t pass crabs back and forth. Always use freshly-washed clothes, towels, and bedding after you finish treatment.

What do I need to do to get rid of pubic lice?

Even after you finish the treatment, most of the nits (lice eggs) will stay stuck to your hairs. You can pick them off with your fingernails or a fine-toothed comb.

Along with using medication, wash or dry clean all of your bedding and towels. Also wash or dry clean any clothing that you wore while you had crabs. Wash these fabrics on the hottest setting, and dry them on the hot cycle for at least 20 minutes.

You can also put fabrics that can’t be washed in a sealed bag for 2 weeks, until the crabs and their eggs die out. You can also vacuum rugs and furniture. You don’t need to call an exterminator or fumigate your home.

Tell your sexual partners and anyone else you’ve had intimate contact with during the last month that they may have crabs. You should all treat yourselves at the same time so you don’t re-infect each other. And don’t have sex or any other kind of intimate contact until everyone finishes their treatment and knows their crabs are gone for good. It’s also a good idea to get tested for other STDs.

If you still see live lice after 9-10 days, do the treatment again. And make sure you’ve washed everything you needed to, and that your sexual partners did the treatment too. If the crabs still don’t go away, talk to your nurse or doctor.

Is there a home remedy for public lice?

Home remedies like hot baths or shaving don’t work. Treatments that soothe itching (like hydrocortisone cream) can help you feel better, but they won’t cure your crabs. The only thing that will actually get rid of your crabs for good are medicines meant to kill pubic lice. 

Trying to treat your pubic lice with home remedies can make your infection worse, and waiting to treat your pubic lice can make it more likely that you’ll spread the crabs to other people. 

Pubic lice are easy to treat — you usually don’t even need a prescription. You can get over-the-counter pubic lice treatment at a drugstore, or from your nurse or doctor.

More questions from patients:

How long does pubic lice live on clothes?

Pubic lice (crabs) feed on human blood. So if one falls off your body, it usually dies within 1–2 days. However, their eggs can take about 6–10 days to hatch. So if an egg is on your clothing or bed sheets, that can cause another infection. 

To get rid of pubic lice and their eggs, machine wash and dry your clothes and bed sheets in hot water (at least 130°F) and the high heat drying cycle. Clothes and other things that aren’t washable can be dry-cleaned or sealed in a plastic bag and stored for 2 weeks (until the lice and eggs die out).

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8 Remedies and Treatments to Get Rid of Lice

Fact Checked

This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information.

With strict editorial sourcing guidelines, we only link to academic research institutions, reputable media sites and, when research is available, medically peer-reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.

This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by our trained editorial staff. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to medically peer-reviewed studies.

Our team includes licensed nutritionists and dietitians, certified health education specialists, as well as certified strength and conditioning specialists, personal trainers and corrective exercise specialists. Our team aims to be not only thorough with its research, but also objective and unbiased.

The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.

By Annie Price, CHHC

April 23, 2017

If you’re wondering how to get rid of lice, I’m here to tell you that there are thankfully a lot of natural home remedies to kill lice. There are a few kinds of lice including head lice, body lice and pubic lice. While body lice and pubic lice can occur as a result of unclean living conditions and a lack of personal hygiene, head lice can happen to anyone, even the cleanest amongst us.

The CDC estimates that somewhere between six to 12 million head lice infestations happen every year among kids aged three to 11 years of age. In the United States, you’ll find the majority of head lice cases occurring in preschool and elementary school children and the people they live with. The good news is that head lice don’t carry or spread disease. But they will have their victims scratching their heads so intensely that a secondary bacterial infection can occur. This is why at the first sign of head lice, you want to spring into action to get the lice out of your or your loved one’s head, decontaminate your home and belongings, and make sure that no one else in your home gets this annoying parasitic attack. (1)

Let’s look at exactly what is lice, how to get rid of lice, and most importantly, what are the best approaches to natural head lice treatment, including the best lice-fighting essential oils.

What Are Lice?

What does lice look like? Lice are very small, parasitic insects without wings that feed on human blood. Adult head lice are are only about two to three millimeters in length. Since they don’t have wings, they don’t fly and they also don’t hop. Lice get around by crawling (this is probably making you scratch your head already, sorry!). (2)

There are a few different kinds of lice: (3)

• Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis): This type of lice develops on the scalp and neck. The lice actually attach their eggs to the base of the hair shafts. So head lice always equates to lice in hair. Head lice is typically most obvious or visible at the nape of the neck and over the ears. An infestation with head lice is also called pediculosis.
• Body lice: These lice live in clothing and on bedding and move onto your skin to feed. Body lice most often affect people who aren’t able to bathe or launder clothing regularly, such as homeless or transient individuals.
• Pubic lice: Also called crabs, this variety of lice infestation occurs on the hair and skin of the pubic area. Less often it can occur on coarse body hair like that of the chest, eyebrows or eyelashes.

With head lice, the tiny lice actually attach their eggs, or nits, to the bottom of the hair shafts. These eggs can be difficult to see. They typically take about eight to nine days to hatch. The eggs that are most likely to hatch tend to be a quarter inch or less from where your hair comes out of the scalp. The eggs that are more than a quarter inch from the base of the hair shaft are likely to have already hatched, are dead or are empty casings. (4)

When you’re looking at how to get rid of lice, it’s important to kill both the lice and the lice eggs in order to be effective.

The better and more thoroughly you treat an outbreak of lice, the less likely it is to become a recurring problem. Figuring out how to get rid of lice naturally takes some continuous effort, but so do conventional options. Plus when it comes to how to get rid of lice naturally, you may already have many of the ingredients you need on hand. Because of this,  natural lice remedies can also be more cost-effective.

1. Wet-Combing

How to get rid of lice naturally pretty much always involves a fine tooth comb. Wet-combing is a natural lice remedy that you need to repeat every three to four days for a minimum of two weeks after you don’t see any lice present. How do you wet-comb for lice? The person with head lice needs to have their hair completely wet. It’s also a good idea to add some conditioner (ideally a natural anti-lice conditioner). Next, using a fine-tooth nit comb (available at stores and online for under five dollars) you need to comb the entire lice-infested scalp starting at the scalp to the hair ends. Conduct this careful combing at least two times during a session. (4)

It’s important to know that if your child has lice and is only two months of age or less, then you should not use any medicated lice treatment products. Also, you should only use your hands and a fine-tooth comb to remove the lice. For a child of this age, wet-combing, as I just described, is recommended every three to four days for three weeks after the sighting of the last live louse. (5)

2. Sanitize Brushes & Combs

When it comes to how to get rid of head lice, you definitely want to address the tools that have been used in a lice-ridden person’s hair, especially before and after wet-combing. So take all of the combs and brushes and wash them using very hot (130 degrees F at the lowest) water and soap. You can also soak the brushes and combs in rubbing alcohol for at least one hour. You can even do both the washing and the soaking if it makes you feel better. And to be on the safe side, include all the hair-styling tools in the household. Also include any and all objects that go into hair like barrettes, hair ties, headbands, etc.

3. Get Out the Vacuum

If you want to know how to get rid of lice naturally (or conventionally), you can’t focus only on the infected person and overlook their physical surroundings. Any good conventional or natural head lice treatment advice will include advising you to vacuum thoroughly and often during a lice outbreak and afterwards. You should give all of the floors and furniture in your home a good, thorough vacuuming. Vacuuming your furniture and floors can remove a lice-infested person’s hairs that could still have viable lice eggs attached and about to hatch. You also may want to cover furniture after vacuuming. You can use a plastic painter’s drop cloth to cover furniture for two weeks to prevent a recurrence of lice in your home. (6)

4. Wash At-Risk Items

When you learn someone in your household has lice, you need to do more than just treat the lice on the person. You also need to make sure that you wash any items that could be contaminated with lice. Not only will this help naturally treat the current lice outbreak, but it will also prevent transfer of lice to someone else or reinfestation of the same person.

What are some of the items in your home you should make sure to wash? I’m talking about clothing, bedding, blankets (not just in the bedroom) and stuffed animals. To ensure that you thoroughly de-lice these various items, make sure that you wash them in soapy water that is very hot (at least 130 degrees F). Dry them at a high heat setting until thoroughly dry, with a minimum dry time of 20 minutes. If you have anything that you can’t wash, but you think could possibly be contaminated, you can seal these things in an airtight bag for at least two weeks. (7)

5. Natural Anti-Lice Hair Products

The hair products you choose for yourself and your children can contribute significantly to your efforts when it comes to how to get rid of lice naturally. There are natural options for anti-lice shampoo, conditioner and conditioning hair sprays on the market today. I recommend finding natural anti-lice hair products that score well on EWG’s Skin Deep®  Cosmetic Database and using them as part of your lice treatment and prevention plan.

6. Lice-Killing Essential Oils

According to Mayo Clinic, clinical studies have demonstrated that some specific essential oils can have a toxic effect on lice and lice eggs. Some of top choices for anti-lice essential oils include tea tree essential oil, anise essential oil and ylang ylang essential oil. (15) Lavender and eucalyptus essential oils also have been shown to be effective.

A 2010 study found that a topical lotion that contained 10 percent tea tree oil and one percent  lavender oil resulted in a 97.6 percent elimination of lice after the final day of treatment. Meanwhile, only 25 percent of study subjects using a common conventional lice treatment containing pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide got rid of their head lice. (8)

You can combine these lice-killing essentials oils with coconut oil for a natural anti-lice treatment. A study published in the European Journal of Pediatrics revealed that a combination of coconut oil and anise spray was a more effective natural alternative to permethrin lotion, a commonly prescribed lice treatment. While 82 percent of study subjects had success with the coconut anise mixture, only 42 percent of the permethrin users had relief. (9)

Yet another study published in the Israel Medical Association Journal found even greater success using a combination that included coconut oil, anise oil and ylang ylang oil. This mixture was applied for 15 minutes at a time three times at five day intervals. This natural lice treatment was successful in 92.3 percent of the children and caused no serious side effects. (10)

7. Oil/Smother Treatment

Many natural lice treatment plans will recommend using food items like mayonnaise and butter to smother lice. These can work. But, I recommend using something a little less messy and a lot less offensive to your sense of smell. I’m talking about multi-purpose oils like almond, coconut and olive.

First, coat the hair in the oil of choice.You can put the oil on your hair and comb it through. Or you can try coating the comb and putting it through your hair. Just choose whatever works best and gets your scalp and hair completely coated. Using hair clips, you may want to separate the hair into more manageable sections. Make sure to do this under good lighting. Rinse the comb frequently under very hot water as you’re working. Once you’ve combed out and coated all of the hair in oil, shampoo and rinse your child’s hair twice in a row. This approach is recommended every day for a week. For the two following weeks, continue to perform wet-combing (No.1 on this list) every night to make sure the lice are all gone. (11)

8. Head Lice Coconut Oil + Essential Oil Treatment Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon each of ylang ylang, anise and tea tree oils (can swap for other anti-lice oils according to what you have on hand/what agrees with you or your child)
• 2 cups apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup water

This should be enough for shoulder-length hair, but double the recipe for longer hair.

Directions:

1. Blend the coconut oil and essential oils together.
2. Apply the oil mixture all over the scalp, massage in well and pull through the ends.
3. Comb through the hair with a fine tooth comb.
4. Cover head in a shower cap and allow to sit for 2 hours. If possible, sit in the sun or use a hair dryer to periodically warm up the cap.
5. Carefully remove shower cap, and seal in a zip-lock bag for disposal.
6. Comb hair again before washing and rinsing thoroughly, twice.
7. While hair is still wet, combine 2 cups of apple cider vinegar and 1 cup water in a small spray bottle. Saturate the hair, spraying ½ the bottle on the scalp and hair.
8. Lean over the sink and pour the remaining mixture over the hair, massaging lightly.
9. Rinse thoroughly and comb hair once again with a fine tooth comb.
10. Follow with a light application of coconut oil.  Style as desired and allow to remain on the hair until next washing.

As with most lice treatments, you need to repeat the process every five to 10 days for a couple of weeks. This helps to ensure that you eradicate all lice and their eggs. Between treatments, comb hair morning and night with a fine tooth comb, and use coconut oil as a leave-in conditioner. As coconut oil both repels and kills lice, at the first notification of a lice outbreak, start using coconut oil as a leave-in conditioner.

Lice Signs & Symptoms

If you’re wondering how to tell if you or a loved one currently has lice, these are some of the lice symptoms to be on the lookout for: (12)

• Intense itching
• A tickling feeling when hair moves.
• Seeing lice on your scalp, body, body hair or clothing.
• Finding lice eggs, which are called “nits,” on hair shafts.
• Small red bumps on the scalp, neck and shoulders.
• Irritability and difficulty sleeping (head lice are most active in the dark).
• Sores on the lice-infested area caused by scratching

So what do lice look like again? Full-grown adult lice are only around the size of a sesame seed or a little bigger. So, they can definitely be hard to spot. What about their eggs? Their egg, or nits, look similar to little pussy willow buds. They can appear yellow or white. Live nits also can appear to be the same color as the hair of the lice-infested person.

It’s important to note that lice eggs, or nits, are commonly confused with dandruff. So how do you tell the difference? While you can brush dandruff out of the hair, lice does not budge so easily and will remain in the hair/on the scalp. You might also mistake nits for scabs or droplets of hair spray.

Causes & Risk Factors

So how do you get lice? Head lice can spread extremely easily, especially among school children consistently in close contact. The number-one way that head lice spreads is through direct head-to-head contact with an infected individual. With kids, there are a lot of opportunities for this head-to-head contact on a regular basis.

It is uncommon, but the sharing of items that come in close contact with the head or body are also another way for head lice to make the rounds. This method of transmission can occur since lice crawl and lice eggs can be in hair that sheds and then the eggs hatch. Sharing combs and brushes is another way for head lice to spread. Other items that can carry and spread head lice include: barrettes, hair ribbons, hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms, towels, blankets and stuffed animals. You can also pick up head lice by lying down on a carpet, couch, bed, pillow or blanket that a person with head lice recently spent time on. So there are many ways to pick up head lice. Thankfully, pets like dogs and cats cannot spread human lice. (13)

As I already said, head lice is not a sign that someone is dirty or not washing their hair enough. Truly anyone can get a case of head lice. But there are some groups that are more likely to contract lice. When it comes to lice risk factors, especially head lice, age is definitely a risk factor. Lice infestations are most common in young children, especially preschool and elementary school-age children. Head lice can happen to a child of any age, hair length or socioeconomic background. But, it’s more prevalent among girls than boys and it’s also more common in Caucasians than African-Americans. (14)

Now, it’s finally time to talk about how to get rid of lice. There are several conventional and natural options. And, actually, some of the natural options have even been shown to be more effective than the conventional ones.

How to Get Rid of Lice: Conventional Lice Treatment

To determine whether or not you have lice, your doctor is likely to look you over using a magnifying lens. Your doctor is also likely to employ a Wood’s light in his or her examination. This special type of light helps the doctor check for nits because it makes them appear pale blue in color. This makes them much easier to be spotted.

Do you know how to get rid of lice the conventional way? Conventional lice treatment typically includes an over-the-counter (OTC) topical medication to kill off the lice and the lice eggs. However, these medications are known to not kill off recently-laid eggs. This is why a second treatment (often nine days later) is typically needed.  If a second OTC treatment is not performed or not performed at the right time, then your doctor may suggest a stronger, prescription treatment. This prescription treatment comes with more serious side effects compared to OTC options. (15)

Examples of common OTC head lice treatment medications include permethrin (Nix) and pyrethrin with additives (Rid). Side effects of Nix can include burning, itching, numbness, rash, redness, stinging, swelling or tingling of the scalp. Pyrethrin’s additives increases its toxicity. Possible side effects of products like Rid include: skin irritation, skin rash, skin infection, sudden sneezing attacks, stuffy nose, runny nose, wheezing or difficulty breathing. (16, 17)

You should never use pyrethrin on a child with a chrysanthemum or ragweed allergy. Pyrethrin contains a chemical compound extracted from the chrysanthemum flower, a member of the ragweed family.

Precautions

Contact your health care provider if OTC or natural lice treatments do not work after two weeks or if there are signs of an infection. Symptoms of infection include pain, tenderness, redness, swelling, fever or sores that won’t heal. (18)

Never use an essential oil on your child before performing a patch test. Some children may have allergic reactions to essential oils, especially tea tree oil. If a patch test fails, then do not use that oil on your child.  

You should not cover your furniture in plastic if you have a toddler. It’s possible for him or her to become tangled in the plastic sheet and suffocate.

Not only do I advise staying away from health-hazardous fumigants, the CDC also advises “Do not use fumigant sprays or fogs; they are not necessary to control head lice and can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.” (19) You also should never use flammable products, like gasoline or kerosene, to kill lice or to remove lice eggs.

Final Thoughts on How to Get Rid of Lice

Any parent is likely to come in contact with lice at some point since young school-age children are the most likely candidates for lice. If your child has a friend with lice or is the lice carrier, don’t panic. All respectable sources will tell you that head lice does not mean that your child is dirty, your home is dirty or you don’t wash your child’s hair enough. It’s important to remember, whether it’s your child or yourself, that lice isn’t something to be embarrassed about. It can happen to anyone. Lice is simply a very common parasitic problem and there are so many natural ways to deal with lice.

Emotionally, it’s also important for a child to know that he or she didn’t do anything wrong and that the problem might not be gone overnight, but it will be gone soon! There are several options for how to get rid of lice. It is definitely key to be patient with lice treatments. Whether natural or conventional, they often need to be carried out for weeks and repeated at certain time intervals.

Read Next: Top 10 Eucalyptus Oil Uses and Benefits

Coronavirus: why do pharmacists need the blue blood of horseshoe crabs and how will it help the Covid-19 vaccine?

July 8, 2020

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They have ten eyes, are 60 centimeters long, have lived on Earth for more than 300 million years, and they actually have pale blue blood, which is highly valued in pharmacology and saves our health .

No, this is not science fiction, but ordinary, good old science. Meet horseshoe crabs, or, as they are also called, horseshoe crabs – although, strictly speaking, they are not actually crabs, but their closest relatives are arachnids.

People are very dependent on horseshoe crabs, or rather, on their blood, which, among other things, is used to determine the purity of medicines, and now also to create a potential coronavirus vaccine.

However, every medal has a downside, in this case it is the life of the horseshoe crabs themselves, who also have their blood (in fact, hemolymph, which is actually a cross between blood and lymph).

Therefore, wildlife conservationists want to end the practice of “milking” these crabs (let’s call them that for convenience).

What are the benefits of horseshoe crabs?

Image copyright, Getty Images

Image caption,

Some of us quite possibly owe our lives to these creatures and don’t even know it

The blood of these “living fossils” has a unique property: it coagulates when it enters even the smallest amount of pathogenic bacteria or other foreign microorganisms, turning into jelly. Thus, the immune system of horseshoe crabs protects other organs from damage.

Using an extract made from the cells of this hemolymph, testing new medical preparations, scientists can be absolutely sure that bacteria or their metabolic products have not got into them, which can then harm a person.

Only horseshoe crab blood possesses this amazing property.

Therefore, every year, thousands of these crabs are caught at sea and sent to American laboratories, where some of their blood is taken and then released into the wild.

The reagent extracted from the hemolymph of horseshoe crabs is highly valued – the cost of one liter of Limulus amebocyte lysate is about 15 thousand dollars, which makes it one of the most expensive medicines in the world.

Image copyright, Getty Images

Image caption,

About 30% of horseshoe crab’s hemolymph is extracted in the “milking shop”

What happens to “donors” afterwards

but these animals.

At first, experts thought that almost all horseshoe crabs survived this forced donation. Another ability of these sea creatures is that they give exactly as much blood as they can give without harming their health.

However, according to recent estimates, up to 30% of individuals die as a result of this procedure.

Other studies have shown that after blood sampling, female crabs are less likely to mate.

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption,

Scientists estimate the age of horseshoe crabs at 300-450 million years, which makes them one of the oldest species on Earth.

“Right now they are milking about half a million crabs,” lamented Dr. Barbara Brammer, who leads an environmental group in New Jersey, where most of the American horseshoe crabs are caught.

In an interview with the BBC she lamented that no one does not know exactly how blood sampling affects the future life of crabs after they are released. 0005

As a result, American horseshoe crabs are approaching the threshold beyond which they can be officially considered endangered.

At the same time, large pharmaceutical companies point to statistics, according to which the number of horseshoe crabs has remained at the same level over the past summer.

Is it possible to find an artificial substitute?

Research to create an artificial analogue of horseshoe crab hemolymph extract has been going on for a long time, but the real breakthrough came only in 2016.

Scientists have succeeded in creating a substitute that has been approved for use in Europe. Some American pharmaceutical companies have also begun to use it.

Image copyright, Getty Images

Image caption,

The blood of these “living fossils” is indeed blue due to its high copper content.

What’s the problem then?

And the fact is that in June of this year, the organization responsible for the safety of medicines in the United States (Food and Drug Administration, or FDA), said that it could not guarantee that the substitute works as reliably as like a natural product.

Therefore, all companies that sell their drugs in the US are required to use horseshoe crab blood for purity testing.

The same goes for any potential coronavirus vaccine: whoever invents it will be required to test it in the old tried and true way if they want to sell their product to millions of Americans.

Dr. Brammer wants to force the American authorities to reconsider their approach, especially since in other countries the artificial substitute is already widely used.

Image copyright, Getty Images

Image caption,

Ridley Scott may have been inspired by horseshoe crabs to create the facehugging parasitoid in Alien

“We need to stop depending on this natural source,” she says .

Some pharmaceutical companies claim they can meet the demand for a coronavirus vaccine without multiplying their crab harvest.

However, according to Barbara, there are at least 30 companies working on the vaccine, and each of them will be required to conduct testing.

“That’s why I’m very worried about horseshoe crab populations,” says Dr. Brammer. “They’re a key part of the ecosystem.”

Antidepressant crabs | Russian Geographical Society

September 5, 2022

In this material we will talk about the completely unusual consequences of our everyday actions. Pharmacology* in the hydrosphere and how it gets there.

The media are increasingly publishing shocking data on the pollution of water bodies with pharmaceutical substances. So, antidepressants, ibuprofen and antibiotics were found in the organisms of sea creatures in Antarctica. All this not only affects the physical condition of representatives of the aquatic fauna, but also the behavior of entire ecosystems. The concentration of a given substance may vary from area to area; from metropolis to metropolis.

How do all these medicines get into water bodies in such a colossal amount? The answer is simple. The source of pollution is the toilets of ordinary citizens. Many substances do not completely break down in our body and are naturally excreted into the outside world through sewers. An important role is played by a peculiar “tradition” of flushing medicines down the toilet.

In Oregon, scientists have recorded the strange behavior of crabs. They behaved very boldly, paid little attention to food, were not afraid of natural enemies and “bull” at relatives. Their dementia and courage made them easy prey for predators. In the body of arthropods found a large concentration of antidepressants.

Here is another example of the effects of massive drug consumption. British scientists conducted a large-scale study of more than 50 fresh water bodies and found that a third of male amphibians have caviar. The reason for the transgender, bisexual behavior of frogs and some types of fish turned out to be hormonal drugs that English women use in large quantities.

Based on the nature of wastewater, one can easily form a picture of the use of drugs in various regions. This is already a clear demonstration of social problems that also affect the environment.

However, the most serious problems are problems at the micro level . Many types of antibiotics are weakly susceptible to degradation under the influence of environmental factors. Antibiotics are available over-the-counter, and people use them to self-medicate at every sign of illness. As a result, tons of medicines enter water bodies, destroying the microflora of both ecosystems and animals living in them, and also kill plankton. Antibiotics in sewers affect the operation of sewage treatment plants – after all, bacteria are also used there. All these problems can affect us directly. At high concentrations of antibiotics in the environment, bacteria and microbes can adapt to their effects. As a result, when leaving the natural focus, this or that infection may already have resistance (addiction) to drugs.