5 Proven Ideas for Treating Lice in Young Adults
Navigating life as a young adult is a wild ride. You’re juggling classes, a new job, a busy social life, and the general chaos of living on your own for the first time. You expect to deal with a few challenges, like a tough exam or a roommate who doesn’t do their dishes. The one thing you absolutely do not expect to deal with is a case of head lice.
But in the close quarters of a college dorm, a shared apartment, or a bustling campus, a lice outbreak is a surprisingly common, if unwelcome, rite of passage. The key is to handle it quickly, discreetly, and without a lot of drama. For a busy student or a young professional, the fastest and most effective way to solve the problem is to find a professional lice clinic. They offer a one-hour, guaranteed treatment that can get you back to your life immediately.
But whether you go to a pro or tackle it yourself, here is a simple, no-panic guide to dealing with this annoying problem.
1- Don’t Panic or Be Embarrassed
Let’s get this out of the way first: head lice have absolutely nothing to do with your personal hygiene. In fact, lice often prefer clean hair because it’s easier for them to move around and for their eggs (nits) to stick to. Getting lice is not a sign that you are “dirty”; it’s simply a sign that you were in close contact with another person who had them. It is an incredibly common issue. Take a deep breath, and treat it like any other annoying but completely solvable medical problem.
2- Let Your Circle Know
This is the one slightly awkward but absolutely necessary step. You have to inform the people you live with and any other close friends or partners with whom you have been in recent head-to-head contact. This isn’t about shame; it’s about being a responsible friend and roommate.
A simple, private text message is all that’s needed. Something like, “Hey, just a heads-up, I’m dealing with a case of head lice. It’s super common in group living, but you should probably do a quick check on yourself just to be safe!” is a perfect, low-drama way to handle it.
3- Skip the Old-School Shampoos
Your first instinct might be to run to the pharmacy and grab the cheapest, old-school lice shampoo. This can be a mistake. Many of the traditional, pesticide-based treatments are no longer as effective as they used to be because many lice strains have developed a resistance to them.
A smarter choice is a pesticide-free treatment. Look for a product that contains dimethicone. This is a silicone-based ingredient that works by physically smothering the lice, a method that they cannot develop a resistance to. These products are often much more effective and are also gentler on your hair and your scalp.
4- Schedule a Binge-Watch Comb-Out Session
No matter which product you use to kill the live bugs, you absolutely must do a meticulous comb-out with a good, metal nit comb to remove all of the eggs. This is the most tedious and time-consuming part of the process, but it is non-negotiable.
The best way to get through it is to embrace the grind. Put on your favorite binge-worthy TV show or a new movie on your laptop, get a bright light, and settle in for an hour or two. Work in very small, one-inch sections, combing from the scalp all the way to the end of the hair shaft and wiping the comb on a paper towel after every single pass.
5- Do a Cleaning Spree
You do not need to deep-clean your entire dorm room or apartment. Lice can’t survive for more than a day or so off a human head. You only need to focus on the items that have been in direct contact with your head in the last 48 hours.
Gather up your bedding, any hoodies or hats you’ve worn, and your towels. Wash them in the hottest water setting available in your dorm’s laundry room, and then, most importantly, dry them on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes. The high heat is what kills any stray lice or nits. For any items that can’t be washed, like a helmet, simply seal them in a plastic bag for 48 hours.
Getting lice as a young adult is a uniquely frustrating experience. But by tackling the problem head-on with a clear, simple plan, you can get it solved quickly and get right back to your busy and exciting life.
