Understanding Lice Infestations
Lice are small parasitic insects that live on the skin and feed on blood. There are three main types of lice that infest humans:
Head Lice
Head lice are found on the scalp and hair. They are highly contagious and spread through close personal contact or by sharing combs, brushes, hats, helmets, hair ties, etc.
Pubic Lice
Pubic lice, also known as crabs, infest the pubic hair and other coarse hair on the body. They are usually spread through sexual contact.
Body Lice
Body lice live on clothing and bedding and come to feed on skin several times a day. They can spread diseases like trench fever, relapsing fever, and epidemic typhus to humans. Getting an infestation of body lice is often associated with poor hygiene and sanitation.
Signs of Lice in Your Mattress
If you suspect your mattress has been infested with lice, there are some key signs to look out for:
Itchiness During Sleep
Lice bites can cause red, itchy bumps on the skin. You may notice increased itchiness during the night or when getting in and out of bed as the body lice have opportunity to feed.
Black Dots on Mattress
Look closely at the seams, tufts, and edges of your mattress for black dots about the size of a period. These are likely lice eggs (nits) or lice excrement.
Blood Stains
If you wake up with mysterious small blood stains on your sheets, it may be from crushed body lice that were feeding on you at night.
Treating a Mattress for Lice
If you confirm lice in your mattress, you'll need to take action to kill them. Here are the steps to take:
Strip the Mattress
Remove all bedding including sheets, pillowcases, blankets and mattress covers. Wash them separately in hot, soapy water and dry on the highest setting to kill any lice or nits.
Vacuum Thoroughly
Use the brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner to remove any remaining nits, larvae or lice from the mattress surface and crevices.
Use a Lice Treatment Spray
Spray an over-the-counter lice treatment, sometimes called a pediculicide, all over the mattress. This will kill any remaining insects. Let it sit for 10 minutes before wiping dry with a cloth.
Steam Clean the Mattress
Use a handheld steamer to penetrate deep into the mattress tufts and seams that may harbor lice. The heat will instantly destroy them.
Encase the Mattress
Cover your mattress with an allergen-proof and lice-impermeable encasement. This will prevent any surviving or new lice from getting in or out.
Prevent Re-Infestation
After treating your mattress, be diligent to prevent another lice outbreak:
Hot Wash All Fabrics
Wash all clothing, towels and bedding on hottest setting water can stand. This will kill any stray nits or lice.
Thoroughly Clean Upholstered Furniture
Vacuum and steam clean any upholstered furniture in bedrooms. This will remove any parasites that may have spread from the mattress.
Treat Other Household Members
Check everyone in the household for signs of body lice, including itchy bites and nits on body hair. Treat them prophylactically with medicated shampoo.
Practice Good Hygiene
Bathe regularly, change clothes daily, avoid sharing hats or combs, and follow general lice prevention guidelines to avoid reinfestation.
Dealing with lice is frustrating, but taking appropriate measures to kill and remove lice from your mattress, clothing and environment will get rid of an infestation. Be vigilant afterwards to prevent the lice from returning and biting once again!
FAQs
How do I know if my mattress has lice?
Signs of lice infestation in your mattress include: increased itchiness when sleeping or getting into bed, noticing black dots (nits and excrement) along mattress seams, and waking up with small blood stains on sheets from crushed lice.
Can lice in my mattress spread to others?
Yes, lice are very contagious and can spread from an infested mattress to people sleeping on it. The lice crawl onto the skin to feed on blood several times a day.
Will washing sheets kill lice in my mattress?
Washing sheets and bedding is not enough to eliminate lice from a mattress. You need to use pediculicide spray, steam cleaning and mattress encasement to make sure all lice and nits are destroyed inside the mattress.
How can I prevent lice from coming back?
To prevent another lice infestation: hot wash all fabrics, steam clean upholstered furniture, check and treat household members prophylactically, and follow lice prevention best practices regarding hygiene, clothing, bedding and personal items.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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