Pediculosis is a very unpleasant disease caused by lice and nits. They settle on the scalp at the roots of the hair and feed on human blood. They can be picked up anywhere, and if left untreated, a few parasites can quickly develop into a whole colony. The more lice there are, the more difficult it is to deal with them, and people often turn to the "good old" method of dichlorvos, rather than to store-bought pediculicides designed specifically for lice and nits, which don't always work.
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Dichlorvos for pediculosis: description and characteristics of the drug
Dichlorvos is an organic compound based on phosphorus and chlorine, relatively safe for humans but deadly to various insects. This compound was used to kill cockroaches, moths, butterflies, and other pests back in the Khrushchev era. It was particularly "fashionable" back then. More effective insecticides have been developed today, but they are still called dichlorvos, even though they are different organic compounds.
Dichlorvos is intended for treating premises against insect pests.
The effect of dichlorvos on lice and nits
Dichlorvos affects lice and nits in the same way as other insects: entering the body through the spiracles, the substance disrupts the nervous system, causing paralysis within minutes and ultimately death. A nit is a louse's egg, protected by a unique shell that allows air to penetrate. Until this "embryo" is fully formed, any toxin that penetrates the shell's protective barrier is fatal.
Dichlorvos is excellent at combating lice and nits.
How effective is dichlorvos for head lice?
To penetrate the insect's body, dichlorvos must be sprayed into the air. Thanks to the diffusion effect, the particles of the substance spread in different directions, reaching even those insects that are far from the spray site. Due to this, all lice and nits that live in the hair are susceptible to the effects of the insecticide.
Experiments on cockroaches show that dichlorvos is 97% effective (there are survivors, but they are very few). These insects have a very strong chitinous shell (you may have noticed how difficult it is to kill a cockroach on the first try – their shell is so impenetrable). Lice have significantly less protection, so the likelihood of survival from such a "gas attack" is close to zero.
Lice have a rather weak chitinous covering, so they are vulnerable to various insecticides.
Comparison with other drugs
The most effective pharmaceutical anti-lice products are NUDA, D95, Karbofos, and PARA Plus. They are formulated with active ingredients such as:
- malathion;
- dimethicone two-phase.
Permethrin, benzyl benzoate, malathion, dimethicone, and other active ingredients are insecticides that are highly effective against parasites. A distinctive feature of all specialized pediculicides is the presence of emollients, which "dilute" the insecticides, making them safer for humans. Dichlorvos does not contain such additives. Pharmaceutical medications for pediculosis may contain substances that enhance the effect of active ingredients on parasites, but they do not harm the human body.
Pharmaceutical remedies against lice and nits are safer than dichlorvos
Dichlorvos consists of piperonyl butoxide, permethrin, cypermethrin, ethyl alcohol, fragrances, and preservatives. Its insecticide concentration is significantly higher than that of any other pediculicide, as it is primarily intended for indoor use, not hair. In this regard, dichlorvos, on the one hand, can be called the most effective drug in the fight against lice, and is also universal, since it can be used against various pests and parasites, but, on the other hand, it is harmful to the human body.
The effect of dichlorvos on the human body
Dichlorvos is classified as moderately toxic (hazard class III), but the risk of poisoning from its vapors still exists. If the substance is not used according to the instructions, the toxin concentration will be very high, and the following may occur:
- swelling of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, which leads to suffocation;
- vascular spasm and, as a result, severe headache;
- destruction of hepatocyte cells when poison enters the blood, which disrupts liver function.
When using dichlorvos for lice, the substance comes into direct contact with the scalp and hair. It quickly and in large quantities penetrates the pores of the scalp and enters the body, causing poisoning. In this case, home treatment is contraindicated - the victim must be taken to the hospital, after having had his stomach washed and given activated charcoal (1 tablet for every 5 kg of weight).
Activated carbon removes toxins from the body, including those that enter the body through inhalation of dichlorvos.
Hair, just like skin, absorbs everything like a sponge, including dichlorvos. Therefore, the accumulation of matter in their structure leads to its destruction.It's very difficult to restore your hair later; it's easier to cut it and wait for it to grow back.
Why do people still use dichlorvos for head lice?
There are three main reasons why people, despite the obvious dangers, use dichlorvos as a remedy for lice and nits:
- a person is unaware of the harm caused by the insecticides on which the product is based, which are especially dangerous for hair and skin, since it is their structure that is susceptible to destruction;
- modern names scare people away, and they use dichlorvos the “old-fashioned way”;
- other remedies did not help;
- People confuse dichlorvos with other products, as this name is often attributed to any substance intended to combat insects and parasites.
It's important to note that no qualified specialist would recommend dichlorvos for lice and nits. Therefore, it should only be used when nothing else works.
Variety of products and nuances of application
Dichlorvos is strictly prohibited from being applied to the human body, as it can cause a variety of serious consequences (from liver damage to angioedema). Therefore, using this product for pediculosis is a pure gamble, and all responsibility for a person's health falls on the person themselves.
General rules
There are many different types of dichlorvos available today: Neo, Varan, Eco, and so on. They should be used as follows:
- The use of dichlorvos against pubic lice is prohibited. This is because the area where they reside is close to vital organs (including those responsible for childbirth), and even minor damage to them can have serious consequences.
Pubic lice, like common lice, are sensitive to dichlorvos, but its use in the genital area is strictly prohibited.
- The use of any dichlorvos is justified only if no other pediculicides have been able to cope with lice and nits, and they have multiplied in large numbers.
- Before treating hair, make sure there are no wounds on the skin (not applicable to Dichlorvos-L). If there is even a scratch, dichlorvos will immediately penetrate the bloodstream, and in the worst case, doctors may not be able to save the patient in time, as the functioning of many vital organs may be impaired. The pain at the wound site will be so severe that Dante's nine circles of hell will seem like harmless child's play.
Lice bites look like red bumps that are very itchy and swollen.
- Place a tight forehead protector over your forehead to protect your eyes. When spraying, keep your eyes closed and, if possible, wear goggles or a mask.
- Before using dichlorvos, just in case, you can prepare activated charcoal at a dose of one tablet per 5 kg of body weight. You can add another one or two tablets on top—it won't make things worse. You can also prepare milk (but make sure it doesn't come into contact with the product when spraying) or a milkshake—these reduce toxicity, which is why they were always issued to workers in hazardous industries.
- After spraying, wash your hands thoroughly with soap. If poisoning occurs, drink charcoal and milk and call a doctor.
- The room must be ventilated for at least an hour after spraying.
After using dichlorvos, all lice and nits will die within a few hours (some very tenacious individuals can survive for several hours, while their less fortunate relatives will be destroyed within a few minutes).
Don't pour the entire can of dichlorvos on your head! Spraying 2-3 times is sufficient, as the scent is what makes it effective, and your hair shouldn't be damp. If you ignore this advice and exceed the dosage, your hair may become a mess and need to be trimmed. Of course, it will grow back healthy and normal, but it takes a lot of time and patience.
Dichlorvos-L
This product is called dichlorvos only provisionally. Dichlorvos-L is a permethrin-based product developed specifically for head lice. It differs from other pediculicides in its high concentration of insecticide, but it is not as toxic to humans as regular dichlorvos. The drug can be used even in the presence of wounds from parasite bites.
Rub the product into the hair roots with a cotton ball and leave it on under a scarf or plastic wrap for 40-45 minutes. Then rinse with shampoo or regular soap. Dry your hair and remove any dead lice and nits with a lice comb. If live lice remain after treatment, repeat the procedure (no sooner than 7 days after the first one).
Lice combs have very fine teeth, so they remove even nits.
Dichlorvos-L is used to prevent the proliferation of lice, as it has a protective effect that lasts for two weeks.
Regular dichlorvos
There are two ways to apply the product to your hair:
- Close the patient's eyes and spray dichlorvos into the hair, holding the can 20-30 cm from the scalp. Wrap the head in plastic wrap, wait 40-50 minutes, then wash thoroughly with soap and shampoo. Be prepared for hair to become stiff and brittle after the first treatment. After drying, comb out any dead lice and nits.
- Take a medium-sized plastic bag without holes and place a can of dichlorvos inside. Spray the inside of the bag, then, after removing the aerosol, place it over your head so that the edges of the plastic are tightly pressed against your skin and all your hair is trapped inside. Secure the bag and leave it on for 40-60 minutes, then rinse with shampoo or soap. As with the previous treatment, your hair may become stiff after this.
If symptoms of poisoning are detected within 24 hours, you should consult a doctor.
Using dichlorvos to treat head lice in children
Children's bodies are vulnerable and susceptible to any medication, so toxic agents like dichlorvos are strictly contraindicated for children under 5 years of age, and older children should only use it after consulting a doctor. If the risk of using the medication is deemed justified by a specialist, then after the procedure, it is essential to restore the body's health with vitamin and mineral supplements, which should also be prescribed by a doctor. But it’s still better to try to get rid of lice and nits using a regular hair straightener or other safe pediculicides.
You shouldn't risk your child's health by using toxic products like dichlorvos.
Contraindications and possible consequences
It is prohibited to use dichlorvos in the following cases:
- hypersensitivity and individual intolerance to the components of the product;
- pregnancy;
- lactation period;
- inflammation and wounds on the scalp;
- skin diseases;
- children under 5 years of age;
- psychoneurological and cardiovascular diseases.
If used incorrectly (or even if everything was done according to the instructions), the following symptoms may appear:
- rash;
- swelling;
- itching, burning at the site of lice bites;
- redness of the skin;
- nausea and vomiting;
- allergic reactions, including Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock.
Reviews
Spray your hair with regular dichlorvos and wrap it in a plastic bag for 30-40 minutes. Then wash it out with shampoo... It really helps... I swear... I couldn't get rid of it for three months, but dichlorvos did the trick...
Two years ago, my daughter had a problem. Her hair was very long, and she absolutely refused to cut it. We tried everything we could for six months. What helped was chokeberry water (we tried it several times) and dichlorvos (we sprayed it, wrapped it, and put it under a plastic bag). We tried all the pharmacy products, but to no avail. So, I washed the bedding every day, changed my pillow, washed my hats every day, threw out all my hair ties, changed my combs frequently, and threw the old ones in the trash.
When I was a kid, there wasn't much variety in pharmacies, but we tried everything we could: dust soap, vinegar, hair dye (we'd leave it on for 10 minutes to prevent coloring), and so on—nothing! The only thing that worked was dichlorvos, and I used it once. Put a bag over your head, seal the edges tightly around your forehead and neck, making sure to catch as little skin as possible, and then spray the bag through the hole in the top (then close the hole). It might sound awful, but when I remember how much suffering it was and how quickly it was over, it was worth it.
Dichlorvos is highly toxic to adults, let alone small children, so it's important to listen to yourself and your children when they complain of something running around their head. In the early stages, when there are relatively few parasites, they can be killed with a pediculicide, which is non-toxic and completely safe for children. It's important not to allow the disease to progress, as getting rid of lice and nits will require highly toxic treatments that are harmful to the human body.
