How to Treat Lice

Lice, also known as 'chấy' or 'chí' in Southern Vietnam, are tiny parasites that live near the surface of the human skin and feed on the host's blood. These pests can cause severe itching, discomfort, and red, swollen bumps on the skin. Treating lice is not difficult, and in most cases, the common method involves maintaining personal hygiene, thoroughly washing clothes, and cleaning bedding and pillows. If you're suffering from lice, take action today to rid your home and life of them.

Wash all used bedding and towels thoroughly. Lice can hide and multiply quickly in used bedding or towels previously used by an infected person. By washing these items thoroughly, lice will lose their hiding spots and be eliminated in the process.

• Use hot water when washing bedding and towels. The temperature should be at least 55°C.
• Prevent the spread of lice by keeping infected bedding and towels separate from clean ones.
• Be sure to wash bedding and towels at least once a week.

Change and wash clothes regularly. Poor personal hygiene can contribute to the spread of lice. Frequently changing dirty, soiled clothes can help eliminate lice and prevent future infestations. You can kill lice and prevent them from returning by properly washing your clothes and taking regular showers.

• It’s recommended to change into fresh, breathable clothes at least once a week, but the more often, the better.
• Always wash and dry lice-infected clothes at a high temperature, around 55°C.

Maintain proper hygiene. A simple and effective way to prevent lice infestations is by showering regularly and keeping your body clean. By keeping your body hygienic, you will eliminate the ideal living conditions for lice, causing them to leave and preventing future infections.

• Try to shower at least once a day.
• Shampoo and clean your hair at least once a week.
• Use soap and clean water to wash every part of your body properly.

Consult a doctor if lice infestation is severe. If you or someone else is experiencing a severe lice infestation, it is important to visit a doctor for medication or a prescription treatment, typically Permethrin. Using lice treatment will directly eliminate all lice living on the skin's surface.

• Your doctor will prescribe a lice treatment for you.
• Always follow the instructions when using lice treatment medication.
• All clothes, towels, and bedding that may have been infected with lice must be washed and cleaned thoroughly.

Pay attention to any itchy or swollen spots on your skin. There is a high chance that you have lice if you feel itching and notice raised bumps on your skin due to lice bites. If you see unusual red, raised, and itchy bumps, you most likely have lice.

• The waist area or places where clothing rubs against the body are often the most itchy.
• Red swollen bumps that scab over can cause intense itching.

Inspect your clothes. Although lice survive by feeding on the host's blood, they often live in the folds of clothing. It can be difficult to spot lice on the body, so it's best to examine your clothes to check for an infestation.

• Using a magnifying glass can make it easier to look for lice.
• Check areas where clothing fits tightly against your body, such as underwear.

How to identify lice. Lice are difficult to see because they are very small and move quickly across the body. It is even harder to detect lice because they often hide in clothing. However, with a thorough inspection, you may still find both lice and their eggs.

• Adult lice are approximately 3 to 4 mm long.
• Lice have six legs.
• Lice can be brown or gray in color.
• Lice eggs are typically small, oval-shaped, and pale yellow.

• Wash all lice-infested clothes and bedding thoroughly.
• Don’t wear the same clothes or go without a shower for more than a week.
• Searching for lice on clothes is probably easier than looking for them on your skin.
• Within five to seven days after falling off the human body, lice will die.

• Lice can transmit several diseases. It's important to eliminate them as soon as possible.
• Lice can spread through direct contact from one person to another.