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There is a common misconception that blood-sucking parasites, such as linen lice, are associated exclusively with people living in unfavorable conditions and leading marginal lifestyles. However, this opinion is wrong. Linen lice can appear in the life of any person and create unpleasant troubles there.
Linen lice are a type of common head lice that almost every child encounters during childhood. The main difference between linen lice is that they do not live on a person’s head, but, like head lice, feed on his blood. It is important to note that infection from animals is excluded.
The main habitat of linen lice are unclean conditions and people that everyone encounters in everyday life. For example, when moving to a new apartment.
Appearance of linen lice
Linen lice, in their appearance, do not differ significantly from their relatives. Typically their sizes range from 3 to 5 mm.
They can be identified by their elongated body, light or brown in color, with three pairs of legs, which have adapted during evolution to the characteristics of life. In particular, body lice prefer to move not on hair, but on skin and linen, which affects the structure of their limbs. Human hair is not the best habitat for these lice. The shade of lice depends on their level of blood saturation.
The parasites' mouthparts are equipped with sharp stylets that allow them to penetrate human skin and feed on blood. The suction process is carried out using the proboscis. It is worth noting that each louse bite is accompanied by the introduction of saliva into the skin, which leads to the appearance of bruises on the skin. Sometimes these bruises can stain your clothes and bedding.
Detecting eggs, or nits, of linen lice is also not difficult. They look the same as regular lice - white, 1 to 1,5 mm in size, and cluster in the same areas.
Where and how do parasites live?
Body lice begin to cause problems for humans even at the stage of larvae, which are called nymphs. This is the period of parasite activity when the larva emerges from the egg and begins to develop.
Linen lice prefer to settle outside the surface of the human body, unlike ordinary lice, which choose to live on pubic hair or scalp hair. The life of laundry insects is mainly concentrated around objects or on the surface of human furniture.
Getting rid of linen lice turns out to be difficult, since they can infect not only furniture, but also clothing. This way, insects can move throughout the house, and while you treat some areas, they move on to others.
Major parasite habitats include:
1. Sleeping place, bed linen and bedding such as blankets, rugs and pillows. Heavy infection requires surface treatment and subsequent prevention.
2. Upholstered furniture such as beds, sofas and other infested objects, including mattresses and linens covering them.
3. Towels.
4. Clothing, including items that are indoors and used on the body. Children's clothing is also subject to special inspection.
5. Curtains, curtains, carpets and other home textiles where lice can go undetected.
It should be noted that lice and nits prefer warm pieces of furniture. Beds, mattresses and pillows, especially when stored at room temperature, provide insects with warmth and proximity to humans, as they depend on feeding on human blood to survive.
Why are linen lice dangerous?
If you notice these parasites on your clothes or they have already left bites on your skin, the situation requires intervention.
Like all blood-sucking animals, lice are dangerous. These parasites are not limited to one person and can move around, biting different people, increasing the risk of transmitting various diseases. For example, the linen louse is the main carrier of typhoid fever and other diseases.
In addition, lice bites are also dangerous because when they bite, they inject venom that causes itching and can cause serious allergic reactions. Many people encounter insect bites that can cause infections when scratched, leave blood marks on clothing, damage the skin and create an unpleasant and repulsive appearance.
If lice appear in your life, be it on your scalp, body, various types of linen, clothing or indoor furniture, this is a sign of lice, a problem that requires immediate intervention.
How to defeat lice?
There are a variety of methods to combat lice, including the use of drugs, the use of folk remedies, processing and disinfection technologies. By applying a number of rules and processing methods, effective results can be achieved.
- Elementary methods of disinfection:
- Thoroughly wash linen and clothing that may have lice on them.
- Processing items at low or high temperatures, such as frost or sunlight.
- Protect contaminated items in sealed bags.
- Isolation and communication:
- Notify people through whom lice may have entered your life, and temporarily stop contact with them until the problem is eliminated.
- Professional processing:
- Search and check all potentially contaminated areas in the house.
- The use of special preparations or steam generators for the treatment of furniture, curtains, textiles and clothing.
- The ability to call specialized services to effectively and quickly combat lice.
- Safety during processing:
- Use of protective clothing and respiratory protection during self-handling.
- Compliance with all rules and recommendations to minimize health risks.
Calling professional services is the best option, given the labor intensity and energy costs associated with fighting on your own. Specialists have knowledge and experience, which allows them to effectively apply products at a higher level. Their work is based on knowledge of all the necessary rules and precautions, ensuring the safety and efficiency of the process.
Prevention
This aspect, despite its non-obviousness, is one of the most important. While it is impossible to completely avoid encountering lice while out in the community, there are several effective preventative measures that can help reduce the risk of encountering these parasites and avoid falling prey to them.
Here are some prevention tips:
- Maintaining personal hygiene:
- Regular washing of clothes and changing of bed linen will help reduce the likelihood of infection.
- Wash your hands after visiting public places and toilets, which will allow you to promptly notice signs of lice and take measures to destroy them.
- Prevention from close contacts:
- If you know anyone you know has lice, treat your hair with a lice treatment.
- Regular house cleaning:
- Keep your home tidy by cleaning regularly and keeping the interior clean.
- Cleaning toys and furniture:
- Use the steam generator to periodically clean soft toys and furniture. If such equipment is not available, you can use the services of specialized services.
- Avoid using other people's things:
- Keep unnecessary items out of your home and avoid using other people's belongings without thoroughly cleaning them first.
- High temperatures when washing:
- Regularly use high temperatures when washing to prevent lice from breeding.
If you find even one lice, it is recommended to conduct a thorough inspection and, even if no other lice are found, to clean and clean yourself and the environment. It is also worth considering possible sources of parasites to prevent recurrence.
F.A.Q.
How can you tell if you have linen lice?
The presence of linen lice can be identified by the following signs: the presence of eggs in the form of clutches, drops of blood on the bed, as well as irritation on the skin, indicating bites. Characterized by itching in areas of irritation and redness of the skin.
How to treat a sofa for lice?
To thoroughly treat the sofa, it is recommended to inspect it and, if necessary, disassemble it. Lice prefer hard-to-reach places. If possible, use a steam generator at a temperature of 90 degrees. If this is not possible, a suitable chemical that will not damage the fabric should be selected.
What do lice eggs look like?
Linen lice eggs are small, whitish and round in shape. They are usually located in a cluster, which makes them easier to detect. They look similar to head lice eggs, but are found in clothing, home textiles and furniture.
How can you get bed lice?
Lice infestation usually occurs from other people who have a similar problem. This can happen through contact, sharing things, or even through furniture. This is especially true for old furniture pieces.
Why are bed lice dangerous?
In addition to causing skin irritation and leaving bite marks, lice can also carry a variety of infections. By traveling from person to person, lice can transmit typhoid fever and other diseases.
How to get rid of linen lice?
To get rid of lice, it is necessary to treat the room, things and clothing with high temperatures (+80–+90 degrees) or with specialized chemicals. It is best to seek help from a professional pest control service.
How to treat an apartment?
Clean the entire apartment thoroughly and remove personal belongings. Then use your chosen anti-lice agent to treat all areas, especially corners, crevices, backs of cabinets and sofas. Leave the room to ventilate for several hours and then clean. The treatment should be repeated after a few days to kill any new lice that have hatched from eggs that may have remained undamaged during the initial treatment.
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