Head Lice: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Hair lice are the tiny insects that are present in the human scalp and feed on blood. The condition may be due to poor hygiene or unclean living conditions but it mostly spreads from person to person by direct contact. Lice are most often seen in children who catch them during play or any other kind of close contact with others carrying them. You will experience itching and redness in scalp. They are not really harmful but can be extremely annoying. Head lice can be treated by home remedies if detected in time. If home remedies do not work, there are some other medications available to get rid of them.

The over counter medications prescribed by doctor will kill the lice but not the eggs. Therefore, you will have to use the medicine for some time to see good results. The chrysanthemum flower is toxic to lice. Pyrethrin, a chemical compound extracted from the flower is used as base to make these medicines. You have to use these medications as instructed by your doctor. If these over the counter medications fail, your doctor may prescribe benzyl alcohol, malathion or lindane. Benzyl alcohol kills the lice by depriving them of oxygen. Malathion is a medicated shampoo that should be applied and left to dry naturally. It should be rinsed only after 8-12 hours. Lindane is used only in extreme conditions when other treatments have failed. Benzyl alcohol, malathion or lindane should be used only at the instruction of a doctor and not by yourself as they can have severe side effects including seizures.

If you have head lice and cannot get rid of them by home remedies, you may consult a doctor and take the required medicines.

If your head lice condition has just started, you may not need to go for complicated treatments.

Benzyl alcohol, malathion and lindane are high in alcohol content. The use of these medications can cause itchiness or redness for some time. They should not be used in excess as they can even cause seizures.

You must maintain your personal hygiene and keep your scalp clean with the use of a mild medicated shampoo for some time.

If the medications are taken properly, your condition may improve in about two to three weeks.

One consultation with a doctor may cost ₹800 - ₹1500.

The results of the treatment are permanent if good hygienic conditions are maintained.

Try to comb your wet hair with a fine toothed comb after every 2-3 days for a few weeks. The use of tea tree oil, anise oil and ylang ylang oil is known to help head lice condition.