Lice shampoo may not be used the way we are using it. That is why we are going to indicate when we should use it, how to wash the hair, what benefits it has and the main contraindications of its use. It is not an ordinary shampoo, so several aspects must be taken into account.
Lice shampoos have been with us for years, and although we believe that we can no longer suffer an infestation, those who have small children at home know that it is quite possible. That is why we want to tell you some details about this type of treatment, and from now on we say that it cannot be prevented, we only have to act when we have lice.
What is it?
Lice shampoo is a mild and effective topical insecticide emulsion that gets rid of lice in the vast majority of cases. This emulsion is used for scabies, which is a scabies caused by microscopic parasites, and also for capillary or pubic pediculosis, for example, lice.
It is a toxic shampoo in contact with sensitive areas such as the mouth, nose, ears and eyes, and it usually acts quickly and effectively, both on the eggs and nits and on the adult parasite. The curious thing is that there are not only shampoos, but there are also prescription medications for the oral route, although the most normal thing is to use special shampoos, and if those over-the-counter do not work, then a doctor must prescribe something much more specific.
When to use
This is very important, because we believe that by taking a medication we are already preventing the disease, and this is not the case. For example, we have been hearing for years that the free use of antibiotics is very negative, since viruses become resistant to them.
The same thing happens with lice shampoo, that is, using it without having lice is useless, in addition, in the event that the plague appears, they could be resistant to the product. This leads us to an unpleasant situation in which we have to go to a specialist and have him prescribe something stronger. This, if we have a sensitive scalp, is quite dangerous, since we could develop dermatitis.
Lice lotions do not work to prevent them, so they should only be used when there is an infestation of lice, whether we are children or adults. In addition, for this treatment to work, a series of guidelines must be followed that not all of us comply with, and this is one of the reasons why shampoos are sometimes not effective.
- The hair must be clean and dry before using it so that there is no substance between the product and the lice.
- If we have used a preppy shampoo before the one we are going to use now, then we have to wash our heads with a neutral shampoo to avoid its remains.
- We have to moisten the scalp with hot or warm water before applying the lice lotion.
- Apply and massage gently and in a circle with the fingertips so that it is distributed throughout the hair.
- Let act between 10 and 15 minutes and rinse with plenty of water.
- Dry the hair and pass the metal brush through all the hair, without skipping any strands. We must pass this brush called a nit comb daily during the days that the treatment lasts.
- The posh must have disappeared, if not, you have to go to a specialist.
- Clothing changes (including bedding, coats, hats, scarves, hoodies, couch blankets, etc.) should be made before and after using this treatment.
- Regarding the conditioner, it is not recommended to use it during the days that the treatment lasts. Neither masks nor other hair products.
Dose
We must use a special shampoo for our case and the treatments range from 7 to 10 days. In addition, if our hair is very long, we may need more than one bottle, since all the hair from the roots to the ends must be impregnated with the product for everything we do to be effective.
The exact dose comes in the product instructions, although in this case, we can ask the specialist according to our case, our age, if there are many, if they are eggs, the time of year, where we could have been infected, etc. Normally for children it is usually a dose of between 60 and 90 ml and in adults between 90 and 120 ml.
Do not abuse
Of course we should not abuse this type of product, as we have already explained. Using lice shampoo or lice lotion will not make us contagious, but it can have a negative impact and make lice more resistant.
If the treatment is for 7 days, we must wash our hair once a day during those 7 days. More time is not recommended, because we could cause lesions on the scalp or if lice come out again, which are resistant to treatment.
Should it be special for children?
This type of product is usually indicated by age, but if our child is under one year old, it is better that we consult a specialist, since these types of products could be very aggressive with their scalp. You have to be careful, and always choose something adapted to your age and needs.
We do not recommend using home remedies, neither with children nor adults, since vinegar, mayonnaise and other sauces are not effective, they will only damage our hair and worsen the infestation of lice in the home.
Benefits of shampoos
Among the main benefits of this type of product we find the elimination of the plague , it calms the itching and prevents its spread because it kills the adults and the young. Some are so effective that their effect continues for several hours (and days) after use by killing the eggs and hatching them.
As a general rule, the treatments are between 7 and 10 days, but some professionals, and depending on the prescribed product, are in favor of doing a reinforcement session about 3 or 4 days after finishing the treatment. All in order to eliminate the infestation once and for all.
Although the most important thing is that we do not return to the place where we infected them, wash with very hot water all the clothes that we have been wearing the days of the treatment, from intimate troop, t-shirts, blankets, pillows, coats, even hair bands, scarves, handkerchiefs, etc.
Contraindications
There are some contraindications, and although these products are perfectly tested and safe, that does not mean that they cannot cause any damage to the scalp. Let us remember that we cannot use other hair products during the treatment, or else we can overshadow the effectiveness of the lice shampoo.
The use of these products on scalps with wounds, bruises, scars in the process of healing, and similar situations is not recommended . If we have a specific condition such as psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff and others, we should consult the application of lice shampoo or any other type of lotion.
