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Suggest Remedy To Replace Rid Shampoo For Lice
Question: we are having a big problem getting rid of lead lice. We have used over the counter "Rid" shampoo treatment twice, 2 Rx treatments of Melathion, the mayonnaise home remedy, many lice combings, and are about to go crazy. Came to us during visit by granddaughters who live in XXXXXXX Perhaps an especially virulent strain? Any suggestions going forward. Endured a month from hell and too many loads of laundry. LR
Brief Answer:
Treatment of head lice
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting HealthcareMagic,
Since you have already tried Rid shampoo and two rounds of malathion treatment, I would recommend more potent prescription medications like Ivermectin (Sklice) or Permethrin 5% (Elimite).
While undergoing the treatment you should try using lice combs to get rid of eggs and adult lice.
Also, make sure to wash all the clothes, bedding, blankets, towels, plush toys etc in hot water.
Clean hair brushes, combs etc in hot water.
If something cannot be washed, then keep in in airtight plastic bags for 2 days.
Vaccum and shampoo carpet and rug with vinegar and soap water (use hot water).
Please be advised to follow up with your Dermatologist for a prescription of Ivermectin/Permethrin 5%
Hope this answers your questions
Let me know if you need further clarifications
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Treatment of head lice
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting HealthcareMagic,
Since you have already tried Rid shampoo and two rounds of malathion treatment, I would recommend more potent prescription medications like Ivermectin (Sklice) or Permethrin 5% (Elimite).
While undergoing the treatment you should try using lice combs to get rid of eggs and adult lice.
Also, make sure to wash all the clothes, bedding, blankets, towels, plush toys etc in hot water.
Clean hair brushes, combs etc in hot water.
If something cannot be washed, then keep in in airtight plastic bags for 2 days.
Vaccum and shampoo carpet and rug with vinegar and soap water (use hot water).
Please be advised to follow up with your Dermatologist for a prescription of Ivermectin/Permethrin 5%
Hope this answers your questions
Let me know if you need further clarifications
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
The shampoo is worthless because not an ovicide. Moved on to daily olive oil treatments with daily combings to smother. I need a "life cycle" reference that a laymen might understand from an actual science guy. This popular literature is pretty worthless. They differ on what is a "nit". The "black things" are actually the lice, for example. The eggs are white. And then, I believe there are actually "queens" like in bee hives that lay the eggs. The first combing, I had six (Melathion killed 3 and 3 where still alive). I've done 2 treatments of that but it's basically a pesticide and I'm hesitant to keep doing that Rx. CDC warns against "mixing" treatments. But, it also warns against doing the same thing over and over. So, this sounds like lots of dead ends. My husband and I started with very bad investation on August 8th when the grandgals left. And, we seem to only have made a small dent. I am getting exhausted. I am 68 and he is 75. Any suggestions now? I've got a great Doc but this is a XXXXXXX beast, not a XXXXXXX one.
Best, XXXXXXX
Best, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Follow up answer
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Head lice life cycle has 3 stages.
Eggs-appear white and Small like dandruff.
Nymph-slightly larger,hatched egg, yellow color
Adult lice- Largest. Grey to black in color.
Both Ivermectin and Permethrin only kill the adult lice. They do not kill eggs. So it needs to be used 7 days after the initial treatment.
If you want something that kills both adult and eggs then Spinosad 0.9% topical suspension can be used.
If the lice still persist, Then lindane and 1% shampoo can be used as the last resort.
Just follow the measures we discussed in the above answer. Make sure everyone in the house gets treated.
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Follow up answer
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Head lice life cycle has 3 stages.
Eggs-appear white and Small like dandruff.
Nymph-slightly larger,hatched egg, yellow color
Adult lice- Largest. Grey to black in color.
Both Ivermectin and Permethrin only kill the adult lice. They do not kill eggs. So it needs to be used 7 days after the initial treatment.
If you want something that kills both adult and eggs then Spinosad 0.9% topical suspension can be used.
If the lice still persist, Then lindane and 1% shampoo can be used as the last resort.
Just follow the measures we discussed in the above answer. Make sure everyone in the house gets treated.
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Dr. XXXXXXX
Your recent answer on life cycle was helpful but infestation is unfortunately not over yet. Did one more Melathion treatment Saturday, after three consecutive days of olive oil treatments, all followed by combings on me and my husbands (and always washings/dryings of all bed linens, etcs) One bad development is that, somehow, I discovered that lice (perhaps by showeing) had moved to my public region. I shaved immediate, two days ago, put on diaper ointment, and seems to now be under control. One egg sack, one nymph, a few lice. Now all gone for two days. Results from many head combings are that lice are greatly diminishing but are still there. Getting smaller in size with each combing but, are STILL there. My husband does not get bitten by mosquitoes and does not itch (ever) altho still has a few. Even after Melathion's last application, I still have some sizeable "black dots". It is difficult to tell by looking whether they are alive or dead after combing. But, I had an incident where some actually (when I left the room for an hour) some actually began climbing out of the bowl of water. Some, some must still having survived the treatment and been alive. The literature says their studies show a kill rate of 88 percent, so how does one really ever get rid of them?
So, here's my most urgent questions: If one really has no nyphs and no egg sacks, how long do the actual lice on the head/body live? some are tiny, almost microscopic. How long will this persist at the temperature of the scalp? Must The pill seemed to have no affect at all. Must I move on to stronger chemicals? Are these some special XXXXXXX lice? My daughter swears her family is lice free in XXXXXXX although I have my doubts.
Please answer as this has all become very troublesome. Thank you for your corresondance. XXXXXXX Rumley
Your recent answer on life cycle was helpful but infestation is unfortunately not over yet. Did one more Melathion treatment Saturday, after three consecutive days of olive oil treatments, all followed by combings on me and my husbands (and always washings/dryings of all bed linens, etcs) One bad development is that, somehow, I discovered that lice (perhaps by showeing) had moved to my public region. I shaved immediate, two days ago, put on diaper ointment, and seems to now be under control. One egg sack, one nymph, a few lice. Now all gone for two days. Results from many head combings are that lice are greatly diminishing but are still there. Getting smaller in size with each combing but, are STILL there. My husband does not get bitten by mosquitoes and does not itch (ever) altho still has a few. Even after Melathion's last application, I still have some sizeable "black dots". It is difficult to tell by looking whether they are alive or dead after combing. But, I had an incident where some actually (when I left the room for an hour) some actually began climbing out of the bowl of water. Some, some must still having survived the treatment and been alive. The literature says their studies show a kill rate of 88 percent, so how does one really ever get rid of them?
So, here's my most urgent questions: If one really has no nyphs and no egg sacks, how long do the actual lice on the head/body live? some are tiny, almost microscopic. How long will this persist at the temperature of the scalp? Must The pill seemed to have no affect at all. Must I move on to stronger chemicals? Are these some special XXXXXXX lice? My daughter swears her family is lice free in XXXXXXX although I have my doubts.
Please answer as this has all become very troublesome. Thank you for your corresondance. XXXXXXX Rumley
Brief Answer:
Follow up answer
Detailed Answer:
Hello again XXXXXXX
The adult lice will survive on host for 30 days. Once they are off host they will survive only for 24 hours.Adult lice pay eggs every 7 days.
You can get rid off the lice that has not been killed with medications by combing the hair using lice combs. However, since you have gone through so many rounds of treatment I recommend starting treatment with lindane 1% shampoo ,which is the strongest treatment and available only with prescription.
Sometimes lice can be virulent and very difficult to get rid off. I believe you are facing such a problem and treatment with lindane shampoo is the best option.
Also, follow the recommendations I suggested in the above discussions to get rid of lice in furniture, bedding etc.
Hope this answers your questions
Please address further questions here
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Follow up answer
Detailed Answer:
Hello again XXXXXXX
The adult lice will survive on host for 30 days. Once they are off host they will survive only for 24 hours.Adult lice pay eggs every 7 days.
You can get rid off the lice that has not been killed with medications by combing the hair using lice combs. However, since you have gone through so many rounds of treatment I recommend starting treatment with lindane 1% shampoo ,which is the strongest treatment and available only with prescription.
Sometimes lice can be virulent and very difficult to get rid off. I believe you are facing such a problem and treatment with lindane shampoo is the best option.
Also, follow the recommendations I suggested in the above discussions to get rid of lice in furniture, bedding etc.
Hope this answers your questions
Please address further questions here
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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