Can a person get lice due to nervousness, is it a myth or reality?

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Svetlana Tarasova

Hairdresser-stylist with more than 8 years of experience, expert in the field of haircuts, styling, hair care, coloring.
Depression, stress, and severe nervous shock do not pass without leaving a trace on the body. Experiences lead to a weakening of the immune system, as a result the body cannot suppress the activity of viruses and bacteria, so a person develops various diseases. There is a theory that systematic stress can cause head lice. Is this so, let's figure it out.

Lice and psychosomatics - can lice appear from stress, myth and reality

Many people are interested in whether lice can appear due to nervousness, because often during times of stress a person begins to experience prolonged itching.

There are several versions of the connection between head lice and psychosomatics:

1. Lice are constantly present on the scalp, but in an inactive state. As soon as the immune system fails due to nervous tension, they awaken and begin to multiply.
2. In a state of stress, the human body releases special substances that attract parasites.
3. Pediculosis is transmitted at the genetic level , and lice come to the surface after severe nervous tension.
4. Negative emotions lead to the formation of painful bumps on the head , in which insects love to live.
5. When a person is very excited, lice multiply more actively and quickly infest the scalp.

Reference! None of these versions have found scientific confirmation; scientists are sure that the itching that appears during stress is nothing more than the development of a skin disease. Lice are transmitted only from an infected person.

The scientific basis for the “stress” appearance of lice

Pediculosis is a thoroughly studied disease. It has been proven that among the methods of transmission, the appearance of lice from nerves does not exist. All myths and speculations are relics of popular beliefs.

The absence of close contacts with sick people, the use of their belongings, and bathing after them in stagnant water is not observed. This means that it is impossible to become the owner of lice.

Science supports proponents of the existence of “stress” infection only in the fact that during periods of unstable mental state, the internal processes of the body contribute to a change in the natural smell. The body produces sweat more intensely, saturated with special volatile compounds.

Scientists suggest that the strong aroma is attractive to insects. The alluring smell of a new victim forces lice to leave their “fed” host. Consequently, the likelihood of “catching” parasites increases. Other folk versions of the appearance of lice from nerves are absurd according to scientific judgments.

Scientists say that during periods of stress a person is tense, the body’s defenses weaken, and the predisposition to various diseases increases. Nervous tension provokes concentration on a specific problem. Vigilance is reduced. Often at this moment, important rules of personal hygiene are neglected. As a result of any of the proposed factors, the risk of lice infection becomes greater.

Suspicious people tend to attribute all troubles to stress. The fear of getting infected is so great that itching and moving hair can be felt when the wind blows. The psychosomatics of the disease and the unstable psyche of individuals are to blame for everything. The tendency to be suspicious becomes another source of “fairy tales” about the origin of lice.

Among the masses, the tendency to discuss and exaggerate (gossip) is great. Having received information and food for thought, individuals are able to come up with completely unexpected versions. Hence the high number of dubious assumptions.

It is stupid to say that lice appear from nerves. Such versions have no scientific basis.

Can a child have lice due to nervous conditions?

According to statistics, every fifth child suffers or has suffered from head lice . Children are at risk for this disease because their bodies are weaker, and they are less picky about their contacts. But at the same time, lice infection in children is no different from adults. Like an adult, a child becomes infected from a carrier and nervous experiences have nothing to do with this.

Reference! Lice do not come from dirt, they are not transmitted by animals, and the only source of their transmission can be an infected person.

Who is at risk?

People who lead an active lifestyle and come into many different contacts are mostly at risk for lice. Lice are more common among those who constantly visit public places, business travelers and lovers of accessible sex.

Attention! The likelihood of contracting head lice through contact increases for people who are constantly nervous and sweat profusely.

A special risk group includes children whose entire life activity consists of constant contact.

Lice by Louise Hay

Louise Hay, like many other psychologists, believes that the reason for the appearance of lice on a person’s body may be internal qualities that prevent him from being self-confident. In her opinion, a person cedes power to another organism, that is, lice take over and not only them. An insecure person allows himself to be parasitized not only by insects, but also by people. such people often lead an isolated lifestyle, focus on trifles and do not attach due importance to their appearance.

To get rid of parasites, Louise Hay recommends becoming mentally stable. This will require the mobilization of not only physical, but also emotional strength. Anti-pediculosis agents, of course, should also be used.

The main causes of lice infection

As has already been said more than once, a person on whose body lice live is a source of infection. Moreover, its infectiousness is not related to the number of individuals parasitizing on its body.

There are the following methods of transmission of pediculosis:

1. Contact – infection occurs through close contact with an infected person; insects crawl onto the body, hair, and things of a healthy person. This is the most common route of infection with head lice.
2. Genital - as a rule, in this case, infection with pubic lice occurs - with close contact of the pubic areas, the lice move to the body of the new owner.
3. Household - lice can be contracted through pillows, mattresses, bed linen, hats, combs, hair clips, towels and other household items. After these items are used by an infected person, lice may remain on them for some time, therefore, infection can occur even after several days.
4. Through the water – lice can remain alive in water for 2 days, so public bathing areas are also dangerous. And we're not just talking about swimming pools - the sea and sand can also be a source of infection.

When a louse lands on the body of a new host, it immediately looks for easily accessible places to live. Depending on the stage of the life cycle, the insect begins to reproduce immediately or after a short time. An adult lays several larvae every day: head - 4, pubic - 3, body - 16.

Head and body lice spread most quickly in places where there are large crowds of people - barracks, prisons, dormitories, children's groups, as well as in places where sanitary standards are not observed - habitats of the homeless, antisocial families, places where there is no access to water and hygiene is difficult .

What is a head louse?

Head lice (lat. Pediculus humanus capitis) live in the scalp of a person, in his hair, mustache and beard. In addition, they are able to live up to two days (but no more) without food on personal items (comb, towel, hats).

They do not die in water when washing your hair. It has been proven that head lice prefer clean and healthy hair to inoculate with their eggs (nits).

The length of an adult male is 2-3 mm, females reach a length of 4 mm. After ingesting fresh blood, the lice's gray body color changes to red or purple. The parasite drinks up to 1.2 ml of blood per day in 2-3 doses.

A - male, B - female

Unlike body louse, head louse is less dangerous to humans; it is not a carrier of diseases such as typhus. However, the itching that occurs as a result of saliva entering the wounds leads to irritation, and the likelihood of infections through damaged areas of the scalp increases.

Head lice reproduce under favorable temperature conditions all year round. An adult female lays up to 100 eggs during her short life of 27-46 days. The entire development cycle of the ectoparasite from the egg (nit) to the adult insect takes place on the host and lasts about 20 days.

Head lice are wingless insects that can only distinguish light from dark. Therefore, their main sense organ is smell. Lice can neither fly nor jump, but they move quite quickly: at a speed of up to 23 cm/min. Therefore, they are able to quickly change their owner, moving from the head of a person with lice to the head or clothing of an uninfected person.

TOP best methods for getting rid of lice and nits

Currently, there are a lot of methods to combat pediculosis. And everyone can choose the one that will be as harmless as possible to the body. If lice are found in a child under 3 years of age, the child is prone to allergies or is asthmatic, parents should definitely consult a doctor so that he can recommend a safe drug. The same applies to pregnant women. Most often in these cases, mechanical removal of insects is practiced, as well as the use of the safest folk remedies.

Drugs

Medications for the treatment of head lice should be used in accordance with the following rules:

1. Do not use them against nits and lice parasitizing on eyelashes and eyebrows.
2. Preparations containing chemical components are not approved for use in children under 2 years of age.
3. Use with caution for bronchial asthma and allergies.
4. If after one use of the drug the insects do not die, it should be replaced with another.
5. After the procedure for exterminating insects, you must comb your hair with a thick comb to remove dead lice and comb out nits.
6. After using antiparasitic drugs, it is prohibited to dry your hair with a hairdryer - insects may fly away in different directions.
7. After removing lice, you should refrain from using conditioners and hair masks for some time..
8. After the antiparasitic drug is washed off from the hair, You should not wash your hair for 2-5 days.

The best effect in the fight against pediculosis can be achieved using a combination of chemical and mechanical removal of insects . The easiest way for men is to shave their heads bald, but girls with long hair will have to spend a lot of effort combing their hair.

The most popular means:

• Ivermectin;

• Albendazole;

• Levamisole;

• Butadion.

Sprays

The most effective sprays in the fight against head lice are:

1. Couple Plus (France). The duration of action of the drug is 10 minutes, it is used for all types of lice. It has low toxicity and can be used by children over 2.5 years of age. . Contraindications: bronchial asthma, pregnancy, lactation period.

   
   

2. Full Marks (Great Britain). Not allowed for use on children under 5 years of age and asthmatics. Active ingredients: cyclomethicone, isopropyl myristate.

3. Lavinal (Ukraine). Despite the fact that the mixture in the can is oily, it is easily distributed throughout the hair, as it is supplied in the form of a spray. Allowed for children from 2 years old.

   
   

4. Paranit (Belgium). Also an oily mixture, the active substances are isoprene and dimethicone. Toxicity is average, has a slight specific odor. It has a suffocating effect on insects. Duration of action of the drug is 15 minutes.

5. Pediculen Ultra (Russia). The active ingredients are anise oil and capric acid. Exposure time 30 minutes. Allowed for children over 5 years old. Pregnant and nursing mothers, as well as patients with acute dermatosis, are prohibited from using.

   
   

Ointments

The following types of ointments are most often used to combat human parasites:

1. Sulfuric – destroys lice and is used for microbial diseases.

2. Serormertnaya – an effective remedy – rubbed into the skin.

3. Mercury – not such an effective drug, it needs to be used repeatedly.

4. Turpentine – has a weak effect, but has an antiseptic effect.

5. Benzyl benzoate cream – destroys insects in 5 hours.

6. Bornaya – in addition to the anti-pediculosis effect, it has a fungicidal effect.
   Read also:  Parasites in human hair on the head: how to get rid of the disease
7. Permethrin cream – destroys not only insects, but also their larvae.

8. Knicks – contains permethrin, approved for children from 6 months.

Shampoos

Effective lice shampoos are:

1. Veda-2 (Russia). Complete destruction of parasites occurs after 40 minutes; to destroy nits, the product must either be kept on the hair longer or reused. To completely get rid of insects, the procedure must be repeated after 12 days.

2. Paranit (Belgium). 100% results are observed when the product is kept on the hair for half an hour. The active substance envelops the body of the insect and suffocates it.

3. Hygia (Bulgaria). Contains acetic acid and may cause a burning sensation. You need to keep the product for half an hour. If the burning sensation is very strong, the shampoo should be washed off and another drug should be used.

4. Knicks (Russia). The active component permethrin, in addition to destroying parasites, the shampoo actively treats the scalp.

5. Nittifor (Hungary). It is a low-toxic drug, but is contraindicated for children, pregnant and lactating women.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies have been proving their effectiveness for centuries; infusions and decoctions that are prepared at home are no less effective than pharmaceutical preparations, but safer and more affordable.

You can get rid of lice using various folk recipes, including:

• mint leaves with pomegranate juice;

• kerosene;

• black class=”aligncenter” width=”600″ height=”438″[/img]
• ointment from angelica root and white bird cherry;

• decoction of elecampane root;

• burdock decoction;

• geranium oils;

• cranberry juice;

• ointment from wild rosemary and hellebore;

• tar soap and much more.

Prevention of head lice

Prevention of head lice is as follows:

1. Avoid contact with people living in unsanitary conditions as much as possible.
2. Avoid casual sexual contact with a person who has signs of lice.
3. Use only your own hygiene products and household items.
4. Wash bedding and clothes regularly.
5. Regularly check your child's head for lice and nits.
6. Use special repellents that people cannot smell.
7. Periodically use anti-pediculosis shampoos for prevention purposes.

Analyzing all of the above, we can conclude that head lice and psychosomatics are not related things . Lice are carried exclusively by people, and even a completely mentally stable and happy person can become infected with lice. As for the itching, which often accompanies a person in moments of mental stress, this is most likely a manifestation of dermatitis, and, by the way, it can also occur due to nervousness.

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