Will Shaving Hair Get Rid of Lice
Head lice infestations are widespread, especially among school-aged children. Therefore, when you spot the typical signs and symptoms in your child, including itching and irritation of the scalp, you may start to wonder: Will shaving their hair get rid of lice?
It’s no coincidence that your mind jumps to this relatively drastic idea, as this is the way people have dealt with head lice for 1000s of years. However, with many medications available, less radical options are the norm today. This article will teach you what you need to know about head lice and whether shaving your hair will get rid of them. Additionally, you will learn about the benefits and limitations of this method and what your alternative treatment options are once you detect head lice on you or your child.
What you Should Know About Head Lice
When dealing with a headlice infestation, there are two key elements you should be aware of: Adult lice and their eggs (nits).
Adult lice are small insects, roughly the size of a sesame seed. These parasites live off small amounts of human blood, which helps them survive on people’s hair and scalp. Lice are most often spread via direct head-to-head contact, often among school-aged children. However, the assumption that they can fly or jump is a myth. Other ways lice can spread are through the sharing of items that come in close contact with someone’s head, like hats, hairbrushes, pillows, or headphones. Symptoms include intense itching, scalp irritation, a tickling or crawling feeling on the scalp, small sores from scratching, and difficulty sleeping.
Lice eggs (nits) are the second component that should never be overlooked when dealing with a lice infestation. They are much smaller than lice themselves, have an oval shape, a yellow, brown or white colour, and stick firmly to hair shafts near the scalp. Therefore, they are often more persistent than live lice, especially since they have a protective shell surrounding them. Nits hatch within 7-10 days and should be entirely removed from the scalp to prevent reinfestation.
Will Shaving Hair Get Rid of Lice
To answer your question right away: Yes, shaving your hair can get rid of head lice since they need hair strands to grip onto to survive and lay their eggs. However, when choosing this option, you should ensure that the scalp is entirely smooth, since nits can cling to even very short stubble of hair until they hatch. Once the hair grows back, even a small amount, shaving does not prevent reinfestation once you are exposed to lice again. Additionally, head shaving is often seen as extreme and may be especially unpopular among children or anyone wanting to keep their hair. While effective, head shaving is considered a last-resort option when other proven treatments fail or a quick, guaranteed solution is preferred.
How Are Head Lice Infestations Treated?
Over-the-counter shampoos and lotions are the most popular choice for treating head lice, and often they are all you or your child need. However, if you notice that you may require more potent medication, prescription treatments, including permethrin, are a valuable option. In addition, you should comb your wet, conditioned hair with a fine-toothed nit comb regularly over 2-3 weeks. This can help remove lice and nits physically. After 7-10 days, treatment should be repeated to kill hatching lice.
It’s also recommended to prevent the further spread of head lice by washing your bedding, clothing, hairbrushes, and hats in hot water, or sealing non-washable items in bags for 2 weeks. Ensure that family members or those close to you or your child aren’t affected or receive proper treatment.
