Head lice

I have had head lice and unable to get rid of.  I am having the itching of the scalp and behind the ears.  I have also had itching just inside the nose area. I thought this was unusual and I have not seen anywhere on the internet that head lice can enter the nose.  Could this be head lice or some other kind of mite.  I have also seen the little lice moving on the hair of the scalp. The itching of the head and nose are usually at night.  Have used Nix treatment twice and cleaned house really well both times. The next evening after treatment I feel the itching again. It is really bothersom and I need some answers on what to do.  Hope you can help me. Thanks in advance.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

There are several treatments for head lice.  If what you have tried isn't working, you may want to consider these other alternatives.  

Ivermectin (Stromectol) may be effective in cases resistant to all forms of topical therapy - this can be considered if the Nix treatment isn't working.

You may also want to consider wet combing.  Combing is performed with a fine toothed comb; the hair should be wet, with an added lubricant such as hair conditioner, vinegar, or olive oil. Combing is done until no lice or found in each session, with repeat sessions every three to four days for several weeks, continuing for two weeks after any session in which a large, adult louse is found.

You can discuss these options with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

Bibliography:
Goldstein et al.  Pediculosis.  UptoDate, 2004.

[Di123]

My family had resistant headlice for four months. Finally after much research and after trying every product out there, I discovered that rubbing a little neem oil onto the scalp and hair before showering will kill the lice and eggs (do 2 days). Then, put about 5 tear drops of neem oil into any leave-in conditioner. Rub a small  amount of the leave-in conditioner in your scalp and hair after you towel dry your hair- every time. You can blow dry or air dry hair as usual (do this until the lice scare is completely over to protect you from reinfestation). Neem oil is organic and safe for humans, but intolerable for lice. They cannot burrow or lay eggs and the eggs cannot mature or hatch. You should be free from the critters in days. You can rub a little neem oil on the other areas of your skin that bother you. It is antifungal as well. Topical use only. You can buy neem oil at any health food store, and I think Target carries it as well. Best of luck!

[taniasmum]

I swear by Neem oil too.

Try to get yourself a natural head lice remedy, one that contains Neem Oil. The Neem tree is native to India, is known as the ‘Cure All’ tree and has been used as a natural insecticide for thousands of years. When you mix this with other natural ingredients that kill both lice and nits you have a totally safe treatment.

If you want to suffocate the live lice coat your hair in baby oil, put on a showercap and leave it on overnight. Put on a sweatband to stop the drips. This will suffocate them.

In the morning straighten your hair with hair straighteners to pop the nits. Repeat this in 7 days to catch any nits that hatch that you missed. Use mousse or hairspray every day to simulate 'dirty' hair which lice find hard to attach to.

We got hold of a book called 'Live Lice Free - The Head Lice Handbook.' This had everything we needed to know to get rid of head lice. Their remedy worked for us and killed all the nits and lice.

Hope this helps.

[pleasehelp07]

i have went head lice treatment poor, nothing is working, i have tried prescription meds, over counter, tea tree oil, mayo,olive oil, HELP HELP

[Ali_Jaan]

when ever i had them as a child this is what my mother would do its realy affect i suggest you try it kimy-  get a bottle of conditioner. dont wet your hair just start putting it into your hair. seriously the WHOLE bottle. get some cling film. you know the thin plastic stuff you cover sandwiches with sometimes. cover your whole head with it use as much as needed. what you need to do is cover your head so no hair is out the cling film will help. so now your head is covered completly (use lots of cling film even if its already covered do it twice) your head should feel realy tight. and very soon HOT it will seriously heat up. it wont burn nothing that bad. now the headlice WILL suffocate. keep this on all day. seriously 1 hour wont cut it. just stay indoors. because you look quite silly ;) and at the end of the day take it off. by now the whole thing should be solid (haha) and get into the shower. now you get a nit(head lice) comb. and you go through your hair all the dead headlice will remove. and bonus the eggs too! as the conditioner on that long makes them slip off easy. this is a 98% deffo going to work for you. and your a girl so i doubt you have nose hair. its impossible for them to get in your nose im pretty sure of that. nowadays if i get headlice from someone. i simply shave my head almost bald. yeah i know that was a mouthfull hope it helps tho

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