Lice infestation What to do?

How to manage a lice infestation: 3 questions for Marie Mori, Doctor of Pharmacy

Despite medical advances and the many available solutions, lice—those tiny parasites that sometimes invade the daily lives of children and their families—remain a real headache. These blood-sucking creatures, capable of surviving under specific conditions, cling tightly to their hosts, causing significant itching and notable discomfort. Given their impressive capacity for proliferation, it's essential to understand how they work, how they're transmitted, and how to get rid of them. In this article, Marie Mori, Doctor of Pharmacy, guides you step by step to better understand these unwanted creatures, learn how to avoid them, and discover the latest innovations in treatment.

What is pediculosis?

The head louse, scientifically named Pediculus humanis capitis, is responsible for a human infection called pediculosis of the scalp.

These tiny creatures, both male and female, feed exclusively on blood. Our scalp provides them with the ideal environment: a temperature of 28 to 33°C, a humidity level of 70 to 80%, and an abundant network of blood vessels! When a louse feeds, it injects anticoagulant molecules into its saliva that facilitate blood extraction. It is this saliva that triggers a defense mechanism in humans, causing itching and lesions due to scratching.

A louse can live up to 40 days on our heads. Very resilient, it breathes through orifices that it can close at will, which allows it to survive underwater holding its breath! Its life cycle has several stages:

The female lays her eggs, called nits, at night at the base of the hair.
The nits are firmly attached to the hair thanks to a white sheath, the cement, which protects them perfectly from the outside world thanks to a small waterproof cap.
Then come three larval stages before reaching adulthood. At each stage, the louse feeds abundantly on human blood: three meals a day, lasting 30 minutes each, consuming approximately 2.5 mg of blood per day.

In short, it's a voracious little creature that's quietly developing... in our children's heads!

What to do in case of infestation?

In the event of an infestation, you must act quickly, very quickly, because lice develop rapidly. A female can lay up to 10 nits per day and more than a hundred during her lifetime. To eradicate them in less than 24 hours, it is imperative to treat not only the infested child, but also the siblings (and possibly the parents) as a preventative measure. Also remember to wash at a high temperature (60°C) anything that may have come into contact with the child's hair: hair bands, scarves, hats, coats, etc.

Discover our Anti-lice Shampoo with Sulfur >>

Which anti-lice treatments should you choose?

In France, two main categories of anti-lice treatments are available: asphyxiating products and crystallizing products.

Asphyxiants

This category includes silicones, natural vegetable oils (such as coconut oil), and certain essential oils. Their mechanism is simple: they suffocate the louse by blocking its breathing holes. They can also have a dehydrating effect on the cuticle, making the louse more vulnerable.

However, regardless of the product used, the application time is often restrictive and rinsing the hair sometimes becomes chaotic, leaving greasy residue... much to the despair of parents! In addition, it is necessary to remove the remaining nits with a comb. Finally, the real effectiveness of these physical ingredients is sometimes difficult to prove on children's heads.

Be careful with essential oils, which can be sensitizing and cause skin or scalp irritation. They are not suitable for all children, especially if there are contraindications (epilepsy) or precautions for use (asthma).

Crystallizing products

These new-generation treatments offer an effective alternative to traditional solutions thanks to their natural mechanical action. They work by crystallizing the shell of lice and nits, quickly destroying them. They also act on nits, thus limiting the need to use a comb to remove remaining eggs.

A major advance in this category is the Crystalisine, a plant resin from the tree Protium heptaphyllum. Naturally secreted by the tree when it is injured, this resin has the unique property of hardening upon contact with moisture. By forming a rigid film on the parasites, it cracks their protective shell, leading to their elimination.

Already used in cosmetics as a tightening and film-forming agent, this resin has been incorporated into a new lotion combining plant extracts. Thanks to extensive research, this innovative formula effectively destroys lice and inhibits egg hatching.

These products are also appreciated for their practicality: they rinse easily, without leaving any greasy residue, respect the scalp and offer a quick and comfortable solution for parents faced with lice infestations.

A difficult battle, but not impossible!

Getting rid of lice in our children's hair is a daunting task. Diligence and patience are the key words! It's also essential to remain vigilant and regularly check our little ones' scalps and clothing. But don't despair: thanks to this new Crystalisine lotion, you may just have found the perfect weapon to say goodbye to these blood-sucking parasites. Ready to give it a try?