Lice: the most effective dietary supplements

Head lice, small wingless blood-feeding insects, measure 2 to 4 mm as adults and live on the human scalp. Contrary to popular belief, their presence does not indicate poor hygiene. Although bothersome, lice do not transmit serious diseases.

Transmission and infestation

Lice spread mainly by direct head-to-head contact. Their movement speed (about 23 cm/min) facilitates their spread, but they do not jump or fly. The eggs (nits) are firmly attached to the base of the hair near the scalp and hatch in 9 to 10 days. An infestation can cause itching due to sensitivity to antigens in the saliva injected by lice when they feed. However, some people may remain asymptomatic.

Prevention

Taking preventive measures is essential to limit infestations: • Avoid head-to-head contact: Limit close contact, especially among children, in group settings such as schools. • Limited sharing of personal items: Do not share hats, scarves, brushes, or pillows, which can transmit lice. • Regular checks: Use a fine-tooth comb to examine children's scalps, especially after reports of infestations at school. • Targeted cleaning: Wash pillowcases and hats at high temperature. Non-washable items can be placed in a sealed bag for two weeks to eliminate lice.

Treatment

If an infestation occurs, several options are available: • Topical insecticides: Products such as permethrin or pyrethrins, used in two applications one week apart. • Wet combing: Recommended to remove lice and nits. • Natural products: Some oil-based mixtures (e.g., coconut or ylang-ylang) have shown effectiveness comparable to chemical treatments in some studies.