Lice Treatment

Sometimes, the lice persist despite self care treatment. When the use of over the counter shampoos and lotions have failed to minimize the lice infection, prescription medications may be required.

The prescription shampoos or lotions contain a chemical called Malathion. This nerve poison is also very flammable and must be stored in a safe place.

Another common prescription drug used to treat lice is lindane (kwell). This compound should not be used in breast feeding or pregnant females. It can cause serious skin irritation and seizures when taken in orally. Lindane should not be used in children.

If the scalp is infected an ointment (Elimite cream containing permethrin 5%) may be applied.

Proper instructions should be obtained from the physician prior to the use of these products since they are toxic.

These medications should not be placed in the eye, nose, mouth or ears.

Most of the time, self care can be curative for lice, but the problem is getting reinfected because the other contacts have not been treated.

Prevention

Lice are commonly acquired by children in day care and in primary school. The close contact of the children and their personal habits easily leads to group infections. When a child is infected by lice, it should not reflect on his hygiene or poor parenting. Lice just spread easily in children

The treatment to lice is to try and prevent it in the first place.

Teach your child not to share personal clothing including hats, scarfs, gloves, combs or coats with others. Despite these precautions, children come in close contact during play, eating and sleep and it is impossible to completely avoid school contact.

If lice is suspected and treated, continue to examine your child. Nits do not always mean an infection. If a nit is found close to the scalp it signifies an infection. If the nit is found far way from the scalp, it is probably an old infection and does not require treatment.