Facing the Annual Head Lice Challenge
Every year, as the new school term begins, parents find themselves confronting an old nightmare: head lice. These tiny parasites seem to make their punctual return to schoolchildren, causing itching, anxiety, and a battle that many families feel is never-ending. However, the fight against them doesn’t have to become a never-ending cycle of shampoos and despair. “The key lies in understanding how they work, how they spread, and which strategies are truly effective for eradicating them,” explains Dr. Francisco Estrella, a specialist in the Dermatology and Venereology department of Quirónsalud Hospital Tenerife and Costa Adeje.
The Ongoing Threat
The threat doesn’t just end in September. These insects don’t rest and do not appear solely at the start of term; any close contact can be enough for them to jump from one head to another. While they do not transmit diseases, their presence can cause discomfort and alarm. Therefore, dermatologists insist that prevention “starts with simple habits that, if applied consistently, can significantly reduce the risk of transmission,” stresses Dr. Estrella.
Small Preventive Gestures
Experts recommend everyday measures such as using gels, sprays, or conditioners, which create a film over the hair that makes it difficult for lice to attach. They also highlight the importance of not sharing personal items like combs, hats, or towels, and of washing these items with hot water or alcohol if they have been used in a high-risk environment. For young children, keeping hair short or tied back is a straightforward yet highly effective measure. If cases are circulating in the school, “it is advisable to use a nit comb two to three times a week, carefully working through damp hair,” advises Dr. Estrella. Diluted white vinegar or 3.5% acetic acid may help dislodge the most stubborn nits.
The Shadow of ‘Super Lice’
Though it may seem logical to apply preventive treatment, specialists warn that this is a mistake: not only is it ineffective, but it can also encourage the emergence of dreaded ‘super lice’, which are more resistant to conventional products. “Prevention should rely on observation and hygiene, not on the indiscriminate application of chemical lotions,” emphasises the dermatologist.
Treatment Options
In terms of treatment, options fall into three categories: chemical, physical, and natural. Permethrin remains one of the most widely used compounds, although it requires patience, as it needs to stay on the hair for around eight hours to be effective. Additionally, using vinegar and a nit comb prior to commencing this treatment is advisable. Products that suffocate parasites, such as petrolatum or silicones—whose safety is proven—are also effective.
Remedies and Retreatment
Natural oils—such as tea tree, coconut, or neem oil—have their proponents, but science has yet to confirm their real efficacy. Regardless of the chosen option, “one rule must never be forgotten: repeat the treatment after seven to ten days to eliminate any new lice,” reminds the dermatologist. Specialists also insist on debunking false myths: it is not necessary to keep children away from school. With the right precautions and regular checks, there is no reason to isolate them. And, above all, it’s essential to remember a reassuring detail: “Lice do not jump or fly; their spread depends on direct contact, which makes it easier for us to limit their expansion,” he emphasises.
