Headlice

Question 1

what is headlice

Answer 1

-endoparasites that suck blood

Question 2

how long does lice live for

Answer 2

1-2 months

Question 3

background knowledge of lice

Answer 3

-itchy scalp due to the saliva of lice not the biting
-doesn’t wash off with normal shampoo
-not everyone experiences itchiness
-may experience itchiness on back of neck and ears
-head to head transmission

Question 4

how to detect for lice

Answer 4

Wet hair method BEST OPTION= wash hair, apply lots of conditioner, comb out tangles, use detection comb and comb parts of scalp. Check for lice after each stroke. Repeat.

Dry hair method: untangle hair with comb, use a detection comb and look for lice in each section of hair.

Question 5

Treatment for headlice

Answer 5

-physical insecticides (suffocates lice): dimeticone 4% (lotion/gel/spray). Isopropyl myristate and cyclomethicone. Isopropyl myristate and isopropyl alcohol.

-chemical insecticides: malathion 0.5% aqueous liquid

-wet comb method

Question 6

what are some practical measures when apply the insecticide treatments for head lice

Answer 6

-treatment applied to all areas of the scalp
-contact time of usually 8-12 hours for liquid and lotions (apply overnight and then wash off)
-insecticides to be applied twice usually 7 days apart
-hair kept away from naked flames
-after treatment, the wet comb method should be carried out to detect if there are any live lice left

Question 7

which treatment is the best/ more recommended for headlice

Answer 7

-wet combing methods and dimeticone 4% LOTION recommended
-usually shampoos have too little contact time
-lotions and liquids recommended the most
-alcoholic preparations are not suitable for asthma and eczema