Pediculosis: what it is, why it occurs, the symptoms, and how to prevent lice contagion. In case of contagion, however, do not miss our effective natural lice treatment.

Pediculosis is an infestation on the part of lice, small gray-whitish insects that parasitize the human body, feeding on blood.

Pediculosis: different types

Depending on the shape and the part of the body in which they are located, there are three types of lice:

Head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis), which lives exclusively in the hair;
Body louse (Pediculus humanus corporis), a species very similar to the previous one, but colonizing the body and clothes;
Pubis louse (Phthirus pubis), commonly called “flat”, well differentiated morphologically from the first two species and localized in the pubic region, but which exceptionally can be found on the eyebrows, eyelashes and under the armpits.

The only lice able to become possible carriers of pathogenic microorganisms for humans are body lice, which present public health problems in periods characterized by natural disasters or wars, in which there are frequent situations of promiscuity and social unease.

Those of the head, although representing a public health problem due to the rapidity with which the infestation spreads, often involving whole classes of pupils, have the advantage of not being able to survive more than two or three days outside the human body and be easily attacked by the various disinfestation systems.

Head pediculosis: what is it

It is an infestation caused by the presence of lice of the Pediculus humanus capitis type, small gray-whitish insects without wings (adults, visible to the naked eye, are 1-3 mm long), with the body flattened and the paws provided with hooks details that allow them to attach themselves strongly to hair; they are also provided with a buccal apparatus suitable for perforating the skin (scalp) and to suck the blood by depositing a liquid that causes intense itching. A fundamental characteristic of lice is that of living almost exclusively on the human body, since they can not live long away from the host. The infection occurs between person and person, either through direct contact or through the exchange of personal effects such as: combs, hats, towels, scarves, pillows etc.

The louse completes its entire life cycle on the head of the parasitic person in 1-2 months. The female, after 24-48 hours from the mating, lays 5-10 eggs a day, called nits, depending on the more or less favorable temperature that ripen and hatch in 7 days, at an optimal temperature of 32-37 ° C. eggs (nits) are slightly less than one mm long, ovoid, gray-white, easily confused with scales of dandruff; unlike these, however, they do not come off easily; are attached to the root of the hair (about 1 cm from the scalp, because the temperature close to 37 ° C is optimal for maturation) with their natural glue, very difficult to dissolve, are opalescent, about 1 mm long and elongated .

Head pediculosis mainly affects school-aged children aged 3 and older (peaking at age 9) and is extremely common in childhood communities, especially in schools, where it affects 5 to 22% of children, regardless from the welfare state.

Pediculosis: how the infection happens

Unlike what is believed lice do not jump and do not fly from head to head. The transmission of the parasite occurs through direct contact with people who have lice and in some cases also through the exchange of objects that have been in contact with their heads such as combs, brushes, caps and cushions.

Infection usually occurs in very crowded places such as schools, speakers, gyms. It is commonplace that lice infest mainly people with poor personal hygiene. It is important to stress how these parasites can infest anyone regardless of their hygiene.

Pediculosis: symptoms after infection

The characteristic pruritus is the symptom, but it is evident in the infestation already in progress (and careful not to scratch!) It could cause superficial lesions that could be infected with bacteria, with risk of furunculosis and impetigo). The skin may appear reddened. There may be moderate inflammation of the lymph glands behind the ears and in the back of the neck. Sometimes the infestation can be free of particular symptoms. The points where the lice are located are above all the scalp, especially in the area of the nape and behind the ears.

Pediculosis: the golden rules to prevent infection

avoid exchanging and lending personal items (combs, shoes, hats, brushes, etc.);
if it is girls with long hair, possibly keep the hair collected;
invite the children to keep scarves and hats inside the sleeve of the jacket;
avoid frequenting crowded places and school communities;
at home: avoid head-to-head contact even with members of the same family; treat the whole family, even in uncertainty; disinfect sheets and clothes by washing them in hot or dry water, or leave them exposed to the open air for at least 48 hours; carefully wash combs and brushes by soaking them in very hot water for 10 minutes and rinse with shampoo. Vacuum clean both at home and in the car.

Pediculosis: our natural lice treatments

FITOpid spray bump action (with comb included!): This spray is based on substances 100% of plant origin, acts in 15 minutes, is without preservatives, without silicones, does not contain insecticides. The treatment is based on the double action of isopropyl myristate and vegetable oils (coconut oil, anise and Turkish rose essential oils). Isopropyl myristate weakens the louse’s exoskeleton, causing it to die from dehydration, while oils perform their action by suffocation. Fitopid spray acts through a mechanism of physical and not chemical action, preventing the louse from developing resistance. With its dual mechanical action free from the annoying lice and facilitates the removal of nits. The product is well tolerated and can be used frequently.

This spray is contained in a bottle with BOV technology, which avoids the use of chemical propellants or gas for dispensing, which instead takes place simply with compressed air. This system allows precise and uniform dosing and thanks to the particular dispenser, the product reaches the depth, up to the scalp, not limiting as often happens, to “wetting”, only the outer layer of the hair.

The spray should be applied to dry hair after carefully checking the head lock by strand even with the special comb, especially paying attention especially to the area behind the ears, on the nape and near the hair root, so as to remove lice, larvae and nits. The spray is dispensed by impregating well from the scalp to the tip of the hair, then the scalp should be massaged well to optimize contact between lice and the solution. Leave to act for 15 minutes. Always keep a towel or other protection on your shoulders during treatment. At this point rinse with the shampoo and remove lice residues and nits with the comb (that someone prefers to bathe in hot apple vinegar, which melts the keratin used by the parasite to attach to the hair, but with this treatment is not necessary) always combing the hair starting from the scalp up to the ends of the hair. Repeat the treatment at a distance of 7 days. Remember to check the hair periodically.

FITOpid Shampoo: performs a gentle and effective cleansing action, which allows you to complete the anti-lice treatment performed with Fitopid spray by removing the oily component. The formula is enriched with plant extracts of Quassio and grapefruit, Andiroba oil and essential oil of eucalyptus citriodora maculata which, in addition to facilitating the removal of the louse and nits treated by the spray, are essences known to be unpleasant to lice. The shampoo is dermatologically tested, without insecticide, without silicones, free of SLS, SLES, PEG, parabens, fenoxy titanol. It should be applied to wet hair, evenly distributed on the scalp and on the entire length of the hair, then massaged and rinsed thoroughly. Repeat the operation if necessary. As a prevention, Fitopid shampoo should be used 3 times a week, as a supplement to be used after each treatment with Fitopid spray.

Dr. Laura Comollo

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Pediculosis and natural lice treatments