Lice: choose the best treatment for your children
Treatments to eliminate head lice from children depend on the active principle of the product used, because some have created resistances and lice have become immune to some of them , of the repetition after 7 days of the indicated treatment with lotion and shampoo, and of the constancy in the revie
Treatments to eliminate head lice from children depend on the active principle of the product used, because some have created resistances and lice have become immune to some of them, of the repetition after 7 days of the indicated treatment with lotion and shampoo, and of the constancy in the review of children's hair.
Up to now, permethrin has been the active principle of choice for the elimination of live lice. Its massive use and a bad use of it, for example, without repetitions after 7 days, has created resistances in the lice towards this substance. As an alternative has emerged phenothrin or phenothrin, another effective active ingredient, with less antiquity, which currently does not have so many resistances and has a high peliculicidal power to eliminate adult lice. Phenothrin is a pediculicide from the group of synthetic pyrethrins.
Treatment against lice of children in three steps
Eliminating lice with treatments that promise to achieve it in a single application may seem like a utopia, if we know the life cycle of the louse. Both permethrin and phenothrin are effective in eliminating live lice, but their effectiveness is lower in the case of nits, that is, lice eggs, where these active principles do not penetrate. Therefore, the treatment to completely eliminate the lice is to eliminate live or adult lice and nits to end once and for all with the infestation. For this reason, any treatment must consist of 3 steps: elimination of lice, nit removal and repetition after 7 days.
1. Lice removal. The first step is to apply a lotion, which contains the active ingredient, on the hair and scalp and let it act for at least 10 to 15 minutes with the plastic cap on. Avoid replacing the cap with a towel, because the plush will absorb the product.
2. Nit removal. Then wash the hair with the treatment shampoo for 3 to 5 minutes and rinse with plenty of water. Always dry in the air and without using a dryer to maintain the residual action of the product on the hair. If the product does not incorporate softening agents or conditioners, it is advisable to put one on the child's hair to avoid pulling when we use the lancerera, which is a comb of tines tightened for the elimination of nits and dead lice. When combing, it is advisable to carefully check the region of the nape and the back of the ears.
3. Repeat treatment at 7 days. Let the lotion on the hair again for at least 10 to 15 minutes, covering the hair with a plastic cap. Wash and leave the shampoo on for 3 to 5 minutes and rinse thoroughly. Use a nurse to comb the hair, removing the nits and possible lice that are still in the hair. Check the hair later to be sure you have finished with the infestation.
Marisol Nuevo.
