Some of us have experienced firsthand the reality of lice and nits. Children usually bring them home from preschool, where practically everything is shared, including combs, with the eggs of these parasitic insects. As a result, you find these disgusting bloodsuckers in your or your child's hair, and your scalp is mercilessly itchy.
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Advantages and disadvantages of lice and nits (pediculosis) control with sprays
Like any other anti-pediculosis product (aimed at combating lice and nits), sprays have their pros and cons.
Some of the benefits of using this product include:
- The spray contains substances that kill lice very quickly and at the same time cause virtually no harm to humans;
- the method of using the product is simple and easy to apply;
- the spray has very few contraindications;
- It is almost impossible to exceed the dose of the drug.
Although lice and nit treatments come in a variety of forms, sprays are the most popular for various reasons.
A significant drawback of the spray is that it is quite problematic to provide high-quality treatment of the entire scalp, so at least two treatments are required.
The listed spray characteristics are not mandatory for all varieties of this product. Before using each individual product, carefully read the instructions.
As for the effectiveness of the product compared to shampoo, the latter requires at least three uses, and its components are more hazardous to humans. Furthermore, this type of cleaning product is more difficult to use than a spray.
If at least one family member is found to have lice, all household members should undergo preventative treatment.
The listed features of the drug make it a more suitable remedy for the treatment of pregnant women, nursing mothers and children.
It's important to remember! It's essential to treat head lice during pregnancy, as the constant itching can cause nervous system problems in the mother, which can also affect the baby.
Lice treatment during pregnancy should only be prescribed by a doctor.
Review of popular drugs with ratings
There are many effective sprays for lice and nits, each of which has its own positive qualities and features of use.
Lavinal (rating 5 out of 5)
Lavinal is an all-natural product formulated with lavender and ylang-ylang oils. This spray is unique in that it is non-addictive, allowing for repeated use as needed. Its ingredients effectively kill these insects. It is also an excellent preventative measure.
Lavinal spray is based on an original composition of essential oils
Lavinal kills both lice and nits. It is approved for use by adults and children aged two and older. The kit also includes a fine-toothed metal comb for easily removing dead insects from hair.
A 100 ml bottle of the product is enough for 2 treatments for one to four people (depending on the thickness and length of the hair).
Paranit (rating 5 out of 5)
Paranit contains no neurotoxic components, preventing parasites from developing resistance to it. The product's ingredients suffocate and dehydrate both lice and nits, but not all larvae are killed. Therefore, the treatment should be repeated after a week.
The kit includes a spray and a comb for combing out dead parasites. The product's action time is 15 minutes. Because the spray contains a large amount of mineral oils, removing them from the hair may be difficult. The manufacturer recommends using a special shampoo and conditioner from their own brand. This can then be used as a regular hair cleanser.
For more thorough removal of the product after using Paranit spray, it is advisable to wash it off with shampoo of the same brand.
Pediculen (rating 4.4 out of 5)
Pedikulen is suitable for adults and children aged 5 years and older. It contains natural anise oil, which helps get rid of lice and nits in a single treatment. The spray comes with a fine-tooth comb for combing out the lice and a magnifying glass for visualizing them.
Pedikulen spray can easily help you deal with advanced stage pediculosis.
Before the procedure, it is essential to conduct an allergy test, and the treatment itself should be carried out in a well-ventilated area. The product's action time is half an hour. This product should not be used by pregnant or nursing mothers or those with scalp or hair conditions.
Paranix (rating 4.2 out of 5)
Paranix spray is formulated with mineral oils and dimethicone. This allows it to have a dual effect on lice and nits, suffocating them and dehydrating them. Ylang-ylang essential oil, included in the product, moisturizes the hair and soothes the scalp after parasite bites, relieving allergic itching. The spray's ingredients make combing out the insects from the hair easy.
Paranix spray does not leave such a greasy shine on the hair as other products, and, in addition, has a pleasant aroma.
Paranix may be recommended for pregnant and nursing women after consulting a doctor, but it should not be used by children under 2 years of age. The product should be left on for 15 minutes, after which it should be washed off with shampoo. Hair should be treated with the shampoo twice. If necessary, the procedure is repeated after a week. After using the spray, the following side effects may be observed:
- itchy skin around the eyes;
- redness of the ears, neck and head;
- scalp exfoliation.
Full Marks (4 out of 5 rating)
Full Marks spray is intended for adults and children over 5 years of age. Its ingredients soften the lice and nits' shells, making them easy to comb out. Furthermore, the product dehydrates the parasites, leading to their death.
Full Marks spray solution allows you to get rid of lice and nits in just two weeks
Full Marks is safe to use even for asthma sufferers. However, this doesn't mean its ingredients can't cause allergies. The spray comes with a comb for quick removal of hair lice. The product moisturizes hair without penetrating the scalp. It's reusable.
Nyuda (rating 3.8 out of 5)
Nuda is one of the most popular lice treatments, thanks to its minimal toxicity. This dimethicone-based spray is suitable for adults and children ages 3 and up. It is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. In theory, Nuda kills both lice and nits. However, in reality, a certain percentage of them remain alive, so it's recommended to perform two or even three treatments.
Nuda spray is rubbed into dry hair until it is completely moistened.
After spraying, lice and nits are coated with an oily film, causing them to suffocate. The product has no unpleasant or pungent odor. It contains jojoba oil, which moisturizes the hair. The application time is 45 minutes. Treatments should be performed at weekly intervals. Do not use this product if you have scalp conditions or are sensitive to any of the ingredients.
Permethrin (rating 3.3 out of 5)
The product is formulated with cetylpyridinium bromide and permethrin, a natural substance found in Dalmatian chamomile. The spray kills parasites and destroys nits immediately after a single application. The product damages the lice's nervous system. Its effects last for 3-6 weeks.
Permethrin Spray - Effective lice removal without side effects
Permethrin spray is effective against head and pubic lice. It can be used by adults and children over two years of age. It is not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The product should be left on for 40 minutes, after which the hair should be thoroughly washed with shampoo and combed out.
How to choose the right product
The choice of lice spray depends on several factors:
- age and condition of the person infested with lice;
- tendency to allergies;
- presence of scalp diseases;
- degree of parasite infestation.
Many products are intended for adults and children aged 2–5 years and older. However, some products can be dangerous for pregnant and breastfeeding women. If you fall into the latter two categories or are planning to treat a child's hair for parasites, it's best to choose products that are non-aggressive or made with natural ingredients.
In cases where the health condition does not allow the use of chemicals, the only salvation is combing out parasites with a comb and using folk methods
If you suffer from bronchial asthma or are prone to allergies, try to remove lice using folk remedies or comb them out with a special comb. If you discover an excessive number of bloodsuckers in yourself or your child, you will need to select a stronger spray and carry out several treatments as a preventative measure. Before using any product, be sure to test for possible allergies.
Important to remember! Carefully read the instructions for the medication before purchasing and using it.
If you are contraindicated to use chemicals or are allergic to certain components, a special electric comb can help get rid of parasites.
General rules for using lice sprays
When performing the procedure, you must follow the following rules:
- Lice treatment is carried out in a well-ventilated room.
- When using the spray, do not smoke or use it near an open flame.
- Before treating a lice infestation, test for a possible allergic reaction. To do this, spray the solution onto the crook of the elbow and leave it on for half an hour. Afterward, rinse off the solution and check for redness, itching, or other discomfort.
- If the patient wears contact lenses, they are removed or the forehead is wrapped with a protective bandage made of a towel or cloth.
- The treatment is carried out using a gauze bandage and rubber gloves.
- Apply the spray to the scalp with rubbing movements and part dry hair in different directions.
- After applying the product, put a special plastic cap or a regular cellophane bag on your head, hiding all your hair in it.
- The drug is left on for the time indicated in the instructions (usually 15–40 minutes).
- Dead lice and nits are combed out with a special comb.
- Hair is washed thoroughly with shampoo, removing the product.
Important to remember! If the chemical accidentally gets into your nose or eyes, rinse the affected area immediately with running water. If a burning sensation occurs, consult a doctor.
To completely get rid of lice, you need to thoroughly vacuum all the rooms, throw out old junk, wash all bedding and clothes, and then iron them.
Contraindications and possible side effects
The only general contraindication to lice sprays is an individual allergic reaction to any of their ingredients. Some chemical preparations should not be used in cases of bronchial asthma or microcracks on the scalp. In each individual case, it is important to carefully read the instructions for use.
A side effect of using the spray for allergies may include itching, redness, etc. If other side effects occur, wash off the product immediately and consult a doctor.
User reviews on the effectiveness of sprays
We used Lavinal spray and Lavinal shampoo. It's essential oil-based and harmless. I even used it during pregnancy. It comes with a special comb, which is essential for combing out dead lice and nits. Repeat the treatment after 7 days.
We also caught them a couple of times. We used Permethrin spray, then washed our hair and thoroughly combed out the nits. One treatment, then a control one a week later, and that's it. If there are no live lice after a week, you don't need to repeat the treatment.
My son brought lice home from camp. We used pediculen to get rid of them. My husband bought a kit at the pharmacy right away. I treated him with pediculen, combed him out, cleaned the house, and then gave him another treatment about 10 days later as a preventative measure. There were no more of those beasts!
Girls, kerosene is something else entirely. According to the rules of the 1950s and 1960s, you had to use a water-soap kerosene emulsion, not pure kerosene. Not only can it burn your skin, but it's also 100% ineffective against kerosene. Nowadays, there are modern, side-effect-free treatments, so why risk it? I recently caught lice on a bus (I don't think it was on the bus, probably not at work, otherwise my colleagues would have mentioned it), and I bought Paranit at the pharmacy. It also helped get rid of the nasty stuff in one go. And there was no stench in the apartment, and no burns.
I can recommend a wonderful, proven product: PARA-Plus (Aerosol, made in France). It works great, is easy to use, and costs about 250 rubles at the pharmacy.
Modern pharmaceuticals offer a vast array of effective treatments for lice and nits. However, each has its own unique characteristics that must be taken into account. It's important to choose a spray based on your health condition. Therefore, to avoid side effects, a doctor should prescribe treatment for pediculosis.
