Lice infestation is common among women and school children. Any slackness in cleanliness breeds lice. It's a parasitic grey insect with six feet. It turns brownish after sucking the blood which it does with two small trunk-like whiskers. Long hair are more prone to lice infestation.
Avoid using towels, soap or comb of a person having lice. The adult louse runs from one scalp to another sticking eggs on the hair. The nit can be slid along the hair but not pulled off.
The lice can be killed with a single application of 1% gammabenzine hexachloride or 2% DDT emulsion or 25% benzyl benzoate emulsion. The scalp should be washed after 24 hours and the nits should be carefully removed with a comb as the ova are unaffected by these agents. The treatment may have to be repeated after every ten days.
Body lice (pediculosis corporis) reside in the seams of clothing and not on the skin's surface. The clothes should be thoroughly powdered with 10% DDT powder or should be boiled for 10 to 15 minutes. The itchy skin lesions respond to soothing agents like calamine lotion which should be applied after a hot bath.
Solution for Lice Infection
• An anti-lice oil can be mixed with coconut or mustard oil and 0.2% lindane (BHC) or 0.1% prethrum essence. This oil can be rubbed well into the scalp to kill lice. The ingredients can be purchased from a chemical dealer.
• Mix talcum powder with 0.2% prethrum dust (or add 10% DDT). Sprinkle 1 powder on the hair before going to bed. Rub it vigorously to that it reaches, roots. Cover your eyes, nose and mouth to protect them from the powder .
• Anti-louse lotion, either gamma benzene hexachloride or cream (Lorex Gammexane) or malathion (Prioderma) kills the eggs, which can be removed with a fine-toothed comb. Let it remain for 24 hours.