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How do I Choose the Best Lice Spray?

D. Nelson
D. Nelson

Lice is a term that is used to describe thousands of species of minuscule insects that do not have wings. These insects are thought of as agents of disease in humans. They infect individuals by laying eggs in the hair, on the body, and in the pubic region, causing irritation and itchiness, though they seldom cause greater health complications. One method frequently used to try to rid the body of of lice the application of lice spray. In order to choose the best lice spray, it may be important to consider the effectiveness of sprays, as well as potential allergens and other irritants that may be in the spray ingredients.

Lice spray is commonly used to disinfect homes and other environments infected with lice. There is much debate as to how effective lice spray is. Some experts believe that lice are most often transmitted through human contact. Therefore, the use of lice spray in a home, school, or other institution may not be effective in preventing the carrying or transmitting of lice.

A head louse.
A head louse.

If you decide that a lice spray is necessary in order to disinfect your home, it can be important to become familiar with the ingredients of the different sprays. Some sprays include chemicals and other substances that can trigger allergic reactions. Some consumers prefer to use natural lice spray, which contains only natural ingredients that have not been synthesized. Natural ingredients are considered by many to pose less health risk.

A pubic louse.
A pubic louse.

Some of the alternative medicated treatments available to treat lice infestations are shampoos. These can be used in conjunction with or instead of lice sprays. Most experts believe that it is best to use shampoos that do not include pesticides. Products that do include pesticides are often considered toxic and may cause health complications, especially in children.

Mayonnaise can be used as a non-chemical treatment for lice.
Mayonnaise can be used as a non-chemical treatment for lice.

Health specialists sometimes also recommend non-medical treatments for lice. These treatments might include common household items such as mayonnaise or or olive oil. When these substances are effective, it is because they suffocate the insects. Many people prefer not use these household items for lice treatment because they are often hard to remove from the hair. For this reason, commercial products may be desirable.

While many health professionals do not recommend the use of lice spray in the home, some consumers do find that sprays are effective for the removal of lice. In order to choose the best spray, you will want to consider, aside from health hazards, price and ease of application. Sprays exist on the market which are relatively inexpensive and which may be purchased from certain retailers. Other sprays are more expensive and must be applied by professional exterminators.

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    • A head louse.
      By: Carolina K Smith MD
      A head louse.
    • A pubic louse.
      By: Warren Rosenberg
      A pubic louse.
    • Mayonnaise can be used as a non-chemical treatment for lice.
      By: uckyo
      Mayonnaise can be used as a non-chemical treatment for lice.