How Contagious are Lice After Treatment
Head lice are tiny parasites that live in your hair and feed on your blood. Known for the intense itching they cause their victims, it is no surprise that patients want to find head lice solutions as soon as possible. Unfortunately, these bugs are contagious, and depending on the treatment method, it can take a little while before you can be sure that there are no more nits or eggs in the hair. Even after the itching has stopped, it is important to check yourself for lice to make sure that they cannot spread to anyone else.
How Contagious are Lice?
Head lice can spread like wildfire across summer camps and school campuses. This is because these environments create the perfect habitat for head lice to spread. Contrary to popular belief, head lice cannot live for long outside of the hair, and they require direct head-to-head contact to spread from one person to the next. If you were ever worried about contracting lice from trying on hats at the store, you can put those fears to rest. In schools and camps, there is a large number of people, usually kids, that are all very close in proximity, increasing the chance of bumping heads with another person. As an adult, the best way to prevent head lice is simply by keeping your hair up, and out of the way of other people.
Lice Treatments
There are a lot of different wives’ tales and over-the-counter remedies for head lice, but they are far from effective. Who would have guessed that mayonnaise isn’t the best method for treating head lice? Head lice shampoos are a popular solution as well, but these products typically contain chemicals that are highly toxic and can cause harm in other areas. The most effective at-home method is arguably the comb-out method. The way this works is by going through the hair with a fine-tooth comb, one section at a time. While this remedy does offer decent levels of lice removal, it can be extremely time-consuming and there is no guarantee that you didn’t miss a nit or louse. The most effective form of treatment is the AirTral. This new machine uses the latest in dehydration technology to loosen the lice from the hair, allowing for a comprehensive treatment that only takes about an hour, and leaves the scalp lice and nit free.
How Contagious Are Lice After Treatment?
After a thorough head lice treatment, you should be lice-free and unable to spread them. This is assuming that all of the head lice are completely gone. If you opt for an at-home remedy, then you should wait a day or two to make sure that there are no lice left. No matter what treatment you choose, lice are only spread by head-to-head contact.
Looking for Lice Treatment Near You?
Dealing with head lice can be a hassle. Here at the Charlotte Lice Clinics, we offer an hour-long treatment that can have your kids back in school that same day. After an initial screening, our technicians will discuss the severity of the infestation, and help create the treatment plan that works best for you. If you have more questions about head lice, or you would like to book an appointment, get in contact with us today!