Let’s be real; there is nothing fun about having a case of lice. Similarly, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of relief once your lice treatment is over. But if your head still itches after lice treatment, this could send you right back into the panic and stress you just rid yourself of. Did your lice come back? The experts of Rapunzel’s Lice Boutique of Michigan and Ohio are here to remind you to stay calm. There are a variety of reasons why your head still itches after lice treatment. Here we will cover the four primary reasons that your head still itches after head lice treatment, including:

1. Dry Scalp from Treatment
2. Psychosomatic Itching
3. Healing Louse Bites
4. Incomplete Treatment

We will cover each of these possible sources of continued itching and provide you with options for treating your itchy head after lice treatment. If you still have questions or concerns, feel free to call us at (734) 629-4932 or visit our website.

Dry Scalp from Lice Treatment

One of the most common sources of your head still itching after lice treatment is from a dry or irritated scalp from treatment. All over-the-counter lice treatments contain a variety of irritants – from chemicals to salt-based compounds – that cause irritation and drying on the scalp.

However, we at Rapunzel’s strongly advise you avoid these treatments due to the harmful effects of these chemicals. Many are considered carcinogenic and unsafe. Children, women who are pregnant or nursing, and people with severe allergies or asthma should avoid use. We at Rapunzel’s Lice Boutique have a range of different at-home lice solutions that are non-toxic and still very effective. If you’ve already used any of the over the counter remedies and your head still itches after treatment, there are a few simple solutions for these issues.

How to Fix It:

Moisturizing & Dandruff Shampoos: If you find that your scalp is dry after treatment, an extremely affordable, long-term treatment is trying out a shampoo and conditioner designed to hydrate the scalp. It’s important to note one thing, however. Dandruff shampoos often contain certain ingredients, which in some people can further irritate the scalp further. This can be an escalated risk for children. 

Natural Oils: As a natural remedy to an itchy scalp, explore the variety of oils that can be massaged into the scalp to help moisturize the skin. Some recommendations include coconut oil and argon oil. Both have a variety of uses, are inexpensive, and have minimal side effects.

Deep Conditioning Treatments: There are a variety of deep conditioning treatments on the market, many of which can be purchased at drug stores or beauty supply stores. Look for deep conditioning treatments that nourish the scalp and use all-natural ingredients to avoid further irritation.

Psychosomatic Itching

 

Have you ever watched a documentary or a video online about insects and instantly felt like you were covered in bugs? Similarly, your skin is probably crawling right now just from reading about lice! Chances are, you’re experiencing psychosomatic itching which many psychologists classify as a panic-stricken condition. Simply put, psychosomatic itching is a manifestation of anxiety and paranoia happening actively on the human body. Psychosomatic itching can be a frustrating experience that you just cannot wait to get rid of, luckily there are many strategies to address it.

How to Fix It:

Since psychosomatic itching is literally a phenomenon in your head and not on your head, it can be difficult to treat. Since psychosomatic itching is based in anxiety, we recommend the same approaches many take at combating anxiety, including:

Grounding Techniques: Many people with anxiety work to focus on other feelings in their body using all five senses. Take time to focus on things around you that you are feeling, smelling, tasting, seeing and hearing. By distracting yourself with these other senses, you can train your mind to avoid the psychosomatic itching.

Self-Awareness: Take a second to recognize that this feeling is likely all in your head. Chances are, if you didn’t start itching until after you thought about lice, then you can know you are okay.

A Quick Lice Check: Of course, you can always ease your mind with a follow-up lice check. Once you can confirm that your lice are gone, your psychosomatic itching should cease instantly.

Healing Louse Bites

Lice are annoying little parasitic insects that get nutrients from human blood. To get the blood, they bite the scalp. Much like mosquito and other insect bites, these bites can cause irritation. Growing up you may have heard you mom always say that the only way to stop the itching is to stop scratching. We all know that’s easier said than done! Mom was absolutely right on this strategy, because itching can cause the louse bite to reopen, potentially get infected, and take longer to heal.

How to Stop Scratching and Fix It:

• Low-dose Antihistamines
• Icing the wounds or adding a cold compress to the scalp and or affected areas
• Use Witch Hazel. Witch Hazel is a natural astringent available at most drug stores and grocery stores. Witch hazel is an all-natural solution that is used for soothing skin, reducing inflammation, and ceasing the urge to itch.

Bad News: You Might Still Have Lice

Now it is time to discuss a possible source of the itching that you’ve been dreading, you might still have lice. This harsh reality is an increasingly common issue. Since lice are becoming more resistant to most over the counter lice treatments, you could easily still have lice. Many over the counter treatments are no longer effective at ridding head lice. Even if you chose a nit-picking technique or use a heated air treatment, lice reproduce quickly, and missing even a few nits could mean the population re-surges.

How to Fix It:

If your first lice treatment didn’t work and you’re tired of the stress and hassle of head lice, we recommend seeking professional help from the lice removal experts. Rapunzel’s uses an FDA-cleared heated air treatment to effectively eliminate all lice and eggs, to prevent a re-infestation. Our specially trained professionals know the proper techniques for getting rid of lice without harmful, irritating chemicals. Our treatment has a 99% effectiveness rate, so, you can rest assured that you’ve treated your lice infestation fully and can get back to life as planned. If for any reason your lice treatment is not completely effective the first time, we offer a free re-treatment to truly ease your head lice problem.

If you have any questions or need a head lice removal treatment, don’t hesitate to contact us. At Rapunzel’s Lice Boutique in Michigan & Ohio, with lice removal clinics in Ann Arbor, Swartz Creek, Farmington Hills, Sterling Heights, & Kalamazoo, Michigan as well as Toledo, Ohio, we are here help! Our heated removal process guaranteed to remove head lice in 1 quick and safe treatment! Let your kids and family members get back to the things they enjoy! Call our head lice hotline today at 734-629-4932!