Get rid of head lice - Should we use Malathion Lotion correctly?

For a mother or father with a school-going child, the problem of "head lice" is very common, isn't it? No matter how much you comb and use shampoos, this problem reappears. Sometimes it spreads to other people in the house. So, Malathion is a powerful, doctor-recommended treatment for this lice problem. Today, let's learn exactly about this Malathion lotion, the correct way to use it, and the things we need to be careful about.

Simply put, what is Malathion?

Malathion is a liquid medicine used to kill head lice and their eggs, which we call nits. It is a bit of a strong medicine. To be precise, it directly affects the nervous system of the lice, disabling them and killing them. One of the biggest advantages of this is that it not only damages the lice, but also their eggs. Therefore, this problem can be largely solved with a single treatment.

Things you need to tell your doctor before using this medicine

Okay, before you buy this from a pharmacy and use it directly, there are a few important things you need to tell your doctor. Because not every medicine is the same for everyone.

• If you have asthma: Malathion can have a slightly pungent odor. So, for someone with asthma, this odor may increase breathing difficulties.
• If you have wounds or scratches on your head or skin: If you have wounds or scratches on your head or neck, such as eczema, this medicine can be absorbed more into the body through those wounds. That's not a good thing.
• If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant: We should think twice about using any medication during pregnancy. So be sure to inform your doctor about this.
• If you are a breastfeeding mother: It is essential to seek medical advice on this matter even while breastfeeding.
• If you have other allergies: Tell us if you have any allergies not only to Malathion, but also to alcohol, pine scented products, household insecticides, other medications, foods, and dyes.

Based on this information, the doctor will decide whether this medication is right for you or whether to switch to another option.

Very important: How to use this medicine correctly

The success of this treatment is 90% dependent on whether you use it correctly, so remember these steps carefully.

1. Preparation: Do not wash your hair with conditioner or 2-in-1 products before using this. Wash your hair with a simple shampoo only and dry it thoroughly. Do not apply this to wet hair. Conditioner creates a film on the hair, which can prevent the medicine from properly absorbing into the scalp and hair shaft.

2. Application: Apply Malathion solution to dry hair and scalp, paying special attention to areas where lice are most common, such as between the hair shafts, behind the ears, and behind the neck. Apply the solution until the hair is completely wet.

3. Leave-in time: After applying the medicine, you should leave it to dry for a period of time, usually between 8 and 12 hours. That is, applying it at night and washing it off the next morning is the easiest and most effective method. Do not cover your hair during this time. Leave it open to air dry naturally.

4. Rinse: After the prescribed time, wash your hair thoroughly using a regular shampoo. Do not use hot water. Rather than bathing in the bathroom, you can prevent the medicine from spreading to other parts of the body by washing your hair with your head tilted over a sink.

5. The next day: Do not wash your hair again for 1-2 days after using the medicine.

6. Removing lice: After washing your hair, use a lice comb (a fine-toothed comb) to remove dead lice and any lice stuck to the hair shaft.

When used on small children?

Children over 6 years of age can use this on medical advice. However, for children younger than that, you should definitely seek advice from a pediatrician.

What if I accidentally take too much medicine or it gets into my stomach?

This is an emergency. If someone accidentally drinks this medicine, or if too much gets on the skin, immediate action is needed.

• Go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
• At the same time, call the National Poison Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital for advice. It is very important to take the medicine bottle with you.

This is not a good thing to play with. Keep this medicine away from children and pets and in a safe place.

What to expect after treatment?

• Itching: You may still feel a little itchy for a few days after you finish the treatment. This is normal. It does not mean that the treatment has failed. It can be caused by your skin reacting to dead lice or their saliva.
• Do I need a second treatment? Usually, this is done in one go. However, if you still see live lice on your head after 7-9 days of treatment, you may need a second round of treatment. However , do not apply the medication a second time just because you feel like it. Be sure to talk to your doctor and only do the second treatment on his advice.

How do you prevent lice from re-infesting?

It doesn't matter if you treat your child if you don't clean the home environment. Lice are spread directly from head to head, as well as through shared items.

Imagine your daughter has lice and you've given her medicine. But if she uses the same pillowcase, comb, or towel as her, it can easily spread to other people in the house.

So be sure to do these things:

• Check everyone in the household: Check the heads of everyone in the household. If lice are present, it is best to treat everyone on the same day.
• Wash clothes and bedding: Wash everything the patient has used, such as clothes, towels, bed sheets, and pillowcases, thoroughly in hot water . Then dry them thoroughly in the sun.
• Clean combs and brushes: Soak used combs and hairbrushes in hot, soapy water for 5-10 minutes and wash thoroughly. Never share your comb with others.
• Items that cannot be washed: If you have items that cannot be washed, such as toys or large blankets, place them in a large, airtight plastic bag, seal it, and leave it for about two weeks. Since lice cannot survive outside the human body, they will die during this time.
• Cleaning the house: Clean things like carpets, sofas, and chairs thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner.

Let's also know about the side effects.

Like all medications, this one can have minor side effects, but there are some things we need to be especially careful about.

Medicine storage and disposal

• Storage: Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). It is best to keep it in a locked place, out of the reach of children and pets.
• Flammable! This is a flammable liquid. Therefore, keep it away from places like stoves, lit candles, and matchboxes. Avoid smoking while applying this medicine.
• Disposal: Do not flush expired or unused medications down the toilet or sink. Consult your doctor. Some pharmacies have programs to accept unwanted medications.