Post-Treatment Care For Your Scalp

Head lice are a common, highly irritating problem. If you’ve ever encountered these parasites yourself, then you know that there’s nothing like the intense itchy feeling caused by head lice. Similarly, there is nothing like the feeling of relief once the lice are gone and the itching finally ceases. Unfortunately, the scalp can continue to itch for a few days after treatment. Whether this irritation comes from the healing louse bites or is a reaction to the head lice treatment, it can be easy to worry you might not have gotten all the lice out during treatment. Here we will cover the four primary reasons your head might still be itching and options for post-treatment care for your scalp.

Post-Treatment Dry Scalp

Perhaps the most likely culprit for post-treatment irritation, a dry scalp can be caused by most over-the-counter head lice treatments. All over-the-counter lice treatments contain a variety of irritants. From salt-based compounds to pesticides, these products are packed full of ingredients that are not ideal for a healthy scalp. We strongly encourage you to avoid these products due to their harmful effects and dangerous chemicals. On top of causing irritation and dandruff, these products often contain carcinogens and are unsafe for children and pregnant women. However, if you have already been using these over-the-counter treatments, there are a few ways that you can reduce the irritation.

• Moisturizing and Dandruff Shampoos

If your scalp is feeling parched post-treatment, hydrating shampoo and conditioner can provide relief to your scalp and reduce irritation.

• Natural Oils

Natural oils are another affordable solution to a dry post-treatment scalp. These oils can be massaged into the skin to moisturize the skin and hydrate any dry areas. Both argon and coconut oil can provide the relief you need.

• Deep Conditioning Treatments.

Deep conditioning treatments are easy to find and can be purchased at most drug or beauty supply stores.

Psychosomatic Itching

Have you ever been talking about bugs and started to feel itchy or like you had mosquitos buzzing around you? This is just one example of psychosomatic itching, and the same thing can happen to you after a lice treatment. This type of itching is a manifestation of lice-related anxiety and is classified as a panic-stricken condition. Psychosomatic itching can be very frustrating, but thankfully there are ways to address this issue. Because the itching that is experienced is taking place in the mind, the best way to relieve it is to convince your mind that it is not real. This can be done in a few ways;

• Lice Check

Giving your mind some reassurance that the lice are gone can help reduce anxiety. The best way to check for lice is with a mirror and a flashlight. Comb through the hair with your fingers, shining the light. Take your time and do a thorough search. If you do not see any lice or eggs, your mind may relax, allowing you to forget about the itching.

• Self-Awareness

Take a moment to think about the itching you are experiencing rationally. If you can recognize that the itching is all in your head, the itching can dissipate. If you realize that your head is only itching after thinking about head lice, this is a sure sign that what you are experiencing is psychosomatic.

• Grounding Techniques

Grounding techniques help you to focus on what you are feeling using all five senses. Focus on your surroundings and distract yourself with what you are tasting, touching, feeling, hearing, and smell. By diverting your focus, you can reduce the amount of psychosomatic itching that you are experiencing.

Healing Louse Bites

Head lice feed off human blood, and they can leave small, irritating bites the same way mosquitoes do. Just like with mosquitoes, the best way to reduce the amount of itching is by leaving them alone. Though keeping your hands off may be easier said than done, you can use the following to reduce the irritation.

• Low dose antihistamines.
• Ice the wounds

Failed Treatment

If you are still experiencing itching after a few days, perform a self-check with a mirror and a flashlight. As head lice continue to become more resistant to common over-the-counter products, some head lice may be left in your hair after a treatment. The FDA recommends heated air treatment to eliminate all head lice and nits.

Find Relief at Lice Clinics in Charlotte NC

If your initial head lice treatment didn’t work, we recommend seeking professional help. Here at Lice Clinics, our specially trained professionals use an FDA-certified heated-air treatment to provide a guaranteed lice removal service. For more information on how we can help you in the battle against head lice, give us a call or schedule an appointment online.