Lice are tiny parasitic insects that can infest the hair and scalp, causing intense itching and leading to secondary infections. Though they are most commonly associated with children, lice can infect people of any age. And while lice in dark hair are easier to spot, lice in blonde hair can be just as problematic.
In this post, we will take a closer look at lice in blonde hair, how to spot them and what you can do to get rid of them.
Lice In Blonde Hair
Lice are a common problem for people with blonde hair. While lice can be a nuisance, they are usually not harmful and can be treated easily. If you have blonde hair and think you may have lice, read on to learn more about this pesky problem.
Lice are small insects that live in the hair and feed on the blood of the scalp. They are most commonly found in children but can affect adults as well. Lice are contagious and can be spread through close contact with someone who has them or by sharing items like:
- Hats
- Brushes
- Combs.
Lice don’t cause any serious health problems, they can be extremely irritating. The insects cause intense itching and can make your scalp very sore. If you scratch a lot, you may even develop an infection.
If you think you have lice, the best thing to do is see a doctor or pharmacist. They can prescribe a special shampoo that will kill the lice and their eggs. You will need to use the shampoo twice, seven to ten days apart, to make sure all the lice are gone.
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What Does Lice Look Like In Blonde Hair
The difference between lice in blonde hair and dark hair is that the louse eggs are much more visible on blonde or light-colored hair. You may also notice tiny white specks on your child’s scalp which means they have eggs all over their head. These types of lice move quickly from one part of the head to another, causing them to scatter throughout the hair until it’s properly treated.
Lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp and feed on human blood. They are more likely to be found in people who have close contact with others, such as family members or schoolmates.
Lice egg nits are small, oval-shaped dots that attach to the hair shaft.
They are usually yellow or white but can be darker if they have been fed on recently. Nits can be difficult to see, but they are often more visible in blonde hair than in dark hair.
If you think you or your child has lice, it’s important to check for them carefully. Use a fine-toothed comb to check for nits and live lice in the hair. You may need a magnifying glass to help you see them.
If you find nits, but no live lice, it’s likely that the infestation is no longer active. However, if you find live lice, you will need to treat them right away to prevent them from spreading.
How To Check For Lice In Blonde Hair
Although lice are typically associated with dark hair, they can infect any type of hair including blonde hair. If you suspect you or your child has lice, it’s important to check for them as soon as possible. Here’s how to check for lice in blonde hair:
- Use a fine-toothed comb:
Start by using a fine-toothed comb to look for lice eggs or nits on the scalp. Nits are small, oval-shaped eggs that are usually attached to the hair shaft close to the scalp.
They can be hard to see, but they are often more visible in blonde hair than in dark hair.
- Part the hair in small sections:
To get a better view of the scalp, part the hair into small sections and look closely for nits. If you see any nits that are stuck to the hair shaft, they are probably lice eggs.
- Check for live lice
In addition to looking for nits, you should also check for live lice. Live lice are small, brownish insects that move quickly through the hair.
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How To Remove Lice From Hair Air Permanently
Provide an empty bowl or pot, a comb, anti-lice lotion, rubbing alcohol, and Vaseline. If you have long hair, tie it back tightly with a hair elastic band. Apply the anti-louse lotion liberally over the head and rub it into the roots thoroughly before leaving it on for 20 minutes.
Rinse the lotion off under warm water and repeat if needed. Comb through the hair from the scalp to the ends. Place a liberal amount of rubbing alcohol onto the Vaseline and apply it all over the scalp. Covering both your hands with gloves is recommended.
Comb through again from scalp to ends, removing any lice eggs that may be found in clumps at the point. Let the treatment soak into the hair for 15 minutes and then rinse it out with warm water.
The two most common household remedies for getting rid of lice are using an olive oil treatment or using apple cider vinegar mixed with some conditioner. Olive oil treatments can last up to 24 hours but apple cider vinegar mixed with conditioner should only be left on for 30 minutes before rinsing out.
There are also many chemical solutions available including over-the-counter shampoos such as A&D Otic HC which should not be used more than once per week, RID Shampoo only used once per week, and Nix Shampoo which has recently been approved for children older than 2 years old.
In addition, there are prescription strength products such as Ovide Scalp Solution or ClearLice Spray which require a doctor’s supervision to use. If you have light-colored hair or blonde hair, it is important to take extra precautions because they have an increased chance of showing up due to their lighter color.
First, wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo which removes residue. Once done, get another pair of clean scissors and cut off any knots or tangles in the hair so that it can dry smoothly.
Next place one cup of white wine vinegar into an empty container and let it sit overnight. Add one tablespoon of olive oil along with one teaspoon of dish soap to this mixture the next day and shake well until combined.
Wet hair down with warm water and slowly pour mixture onto scalp paying close attention to areas where lice would show up first such as behind ears. Leave the mixture on for 5 minutes before washing away with cold water. Once washed away pat dry gently before brushing through nicely.
Head Lice Treatment
Head lice are a constant threat to school-aged children, especially those who have blonde hair. Not only do the tiny bugs live on the scalp and feed on blood, but they can also lay eggs near the base of hair follicles.
The eggs are light brown and called nits. Unlike nits, which remain on a child’s head for weeks or months until they hatch into lice and begin feeding again, adults usually start showing signs within 12 hours of being bitten by an adult head louse.
The most common symptom is the itchiness that can last from a few days to more than a week if it is not treated with insecticide shampoo or other treatments.
Lice survive through contact with humans so family members should be examined as well as friends and anyone else that has been in close contact. Treatment options include over-the-counter medications and home remedies. Be sure to follow all instructions carefully to rid yourself or your child of these pesky parasites.
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Conclusion
Here is everything you need to know about Lice as they are tiny, parasitic insects that make their homes close to the head, usually on hair. Because louse eggs can be difficult to spot, these pesky bugs spread from person to person and from one household to another when lice are not taken care of quickly.
They may spread more easily if the people who are being licked or in close contact with each other have blonde hair. If you suspect that you or someone else has been infested with lice, it is important not to assume that this is just a summer problem caused by mosquitos.
Remember, blonde hair is often harder to see through because of its light color. The best thing to do is go slowly, looking thoroughly at all areas including near the scalp where lice might be hiding.