Kutu rambut (head lice) are tiny insects, up to 3mm long, that live in the hair and lay eggs (telur kutu, or nits) stuck to the hair close to the scalp. They are very common in children and their families, are not caused by dirty hair, and spread by head-to-head contact. The NHS recommends wet combing with conditioner and a fine-toothed detection comb on days 1, 5, 9 and 13, or a medicated lotion or spray from a pharmacy if combing does not work. Check and treat everyone in the household on the same day. There is no need to keep children off school.
What are kutu rambut (head lice)?
Head lice are small insects that live on the scalp and feed on blood. According to the NHS, they are up to 3mm long and can be difficult to spot in the hair. DermNet, a dermatology resource, adds that they cling to the hair with claws and become reddish after feeding.
The female louse lays eggs on the hair shaft near the scalp. DermNet explains that the eggs hatch after about 8 days, and the young lice are fully grown about 10 days later, when the cycle begins again. An adult louse lives on the scalp for about a month, but only up to about 48 hours away from the scalp.
How do head lice spread?
- According to the NHS, head lice are not caused by dirty hair; anyone can get them.
- They are picked up by head-to-head contact. DermNet notes that they cannot jump or fly, but crawl from one hair to another.
- They are very common in children aged 4 to 14. DermNet lists girls, larger families, and sharing beds, clothing or hairbrushes among the risk factors.
Signs of head lice
- An itchy scalp; DermNet notes that the itch can take several weeks to develop after the lice arrive.
- Lice and nits are often found behind the ears and around the nape of the neck.
- Small red-brown spots on the skin may be seen.
According to the NHS, the only way to be sure someone has head lice is by finding live lice. Itching alone has many causes; see our guides to kelemumur (dandruff) and gatal kulit.
Telur kutu rambut: what nits look like
According to the NHS and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD):
- new eggs are tiny, yellow, brown or tan, look like small seeds, and are cemented to the hair close to the scalp;
- after hatching, the empty shells look white or clear and are easier to see;
- unlike dandruff, sand or lint, which comb out easily, nits are very hard to remove;
- adult lice look like light-brown sesame seeds and may move quickly.
How to check for head lice
The AAD suggests:
- wet the hair, which makes lice easier to see and stops them scurrying away;
- sit the person under a bright light;
- starting at the scalp, comb slowly outward through the hair, section by section, with a fine-toothed comb, looking closely behind the ears and at the nape of the neck.
A special fine-toothed detection comb is available from pharmacies or online.
Cara hilangkan kutu rambut: wet combing
According to the NHS, lice and nits can be removed by wet combing, which can be done without seeing a doctor:
- wash the hair with ordinary shampoo;
- apply lots of conditioner (any conditioner will do);
- comb the whole head from the roots to the ends with the detection comb;
- when you finish, comb through all the hair a second time.
It usually takes about 10 minutes for short hair and 20 to 30 minutes for long, frizzy or curly hair. Repeat on days 1, 5, 9 and 13 to catch newly hatched lice, and check that everyone's hair is clear on day 17.
Ubat kutu rambut: lotions and sprays
If wet combing has not worked or is not suitable, the NHS suggests a medicated lotion or spray from a pharmacy or supermarket. These kill head lice in all types of hair:
- lice should die within a day;
- some products come with a comb to remove dead lice and eggs;
- some need to be repeated after a week to kill newly hatched lice;
- check the pack to see whether it is suitable for you or your child, and how to use it.
DermNet notes that physical treatments such as dimeticone, which work physically rather than as insecticides, are safe and well tolerated, with cure rates of 69% to 92% after two applications a week apart, and lice are unlikely to become resistant to them. Resistance to some insecticides has been reported.
The AAD adds: follow the directions carefully, do not combine two lice products unless a doctor advises it, and check the hair 8 to 12 hours after treatment. If lice are as active as before, the product may not be working; do not simply re-treat, but ask a pharmacist or doctor about another option.
Treatments that are not recommended
According to the NHS, some treatments are not recommended because they are unlikely to work:
- products containing permethrin;
- head lice "repellents";
- electric combs;
- plant oil treatments such as tea tree, eucalyptus or lavender oil, and herbal remedies.
Check the active ingredient before you buy an ubat or shampoo kutu rambut, and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure. DermNet notes that lotions, liquids and creams are preferred to shampoos, which may be too weak to be reliable.
Family, school and home
- Check everyone you live with or have close contact with, and treat anyone with lice on the same day (NHS).
- There is no need to keep children off school (NHS).
- The NHS says you do not need to wash laundry on a hot wash. The AAD suggests that, if you want extra reassurance, you can wash sheets, pillowcases, towels and clothes that touched the person's head in the past 2 days in hot water, and soak combs and brushes in hot water.
- Avoid sharing hairbrushes and combs while treating lice.
- There is nothing you can do to prevent head lice. Do not use medicated lotions to prevent them, as they can irritate the scalp. Regular wet combing helps catch lice early.
When to see a doctor or pharmacist
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if:
- wet combing and lotions or sprays have not worked (NHS);
- lice are still present after a few weeks of treatment (AAD);
- you are unsure whether it is lice;
- you are not sure whether a product is suitable, for example for a baby, during pregnancy, or for someone with a skin condition such as eczema, as pack instructions vary.
Intense itching with a rash elsewhere on the body may be something else, such as scabies (kudis buta).
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What causes kutu rambut (head lice)?
Head lice are tiny insects that live in the hair and feed on blood from the scalp. According to the NHS, they are not caused by dirty hair and are picked up by head-to-head contact. They cannot jump or fly, but crawl from one head to another, which is why they are very common in young children and their families.
How do I get rid of kutu rambut and telur kutu (nits)?
The NHS recommends wet combing: wash the hair, apply lots of conditioner, then comb the whole head from roots to ends with a fine-toothed detection comb, on days 1, 5, 9 and 13, and check again on day 17. If that does not work or is not suitable, use a medicated lotion or spray from a pharmacy, following the pack instructions; some need repeating after a week.
What is the best ubat kutu rambut?
There is no single best product. The NHS says medicated lotions and sprays from pharmacies kill head lice in all types of hair, but products containing permethrin, head lice repellents, electric combs and plant oil treatments such as tea tree oil are not recommended because they are unlikely to work. DermNet notes that physical treatments such as dimeticone are well tolerated and lice are unlikely to become resistant to them.
What do telur kutu rambut (nits) look like?
Lice eggs are tiny, yellow, brown or tan, and stuck firmly to the hair close to the scalp. Once they hatch, the empty shells look white or clear. Unlike dandruff, sand or lint, which brush off easily, nits are cemented to the hair and hard to remove.
Do I need to keep my child home from school?
No. According to the NHS, there is no need to keep your child off school if they have head lice. Treat them as soon as you spot lice, and check everyone they live with or have close contact with.
Can head lice be prevented?
According to the NHS, there is nothing you can do to prevent head lice. Regular wet combing with a detection comb helps catch them early and stop them spreading. Do not use medicated lotions or sprays to prevent lice, as they can irritate the scalp.
Do I need to wash all the bedding and clothes?
The NHS says you do not need to wash your laundry on a hot wash. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests washing sheets, pillowcases, towels and clothes that touched the person's head in the past 2 days in hot water, and soaking combs and brushes in hot water, if you want extra reassurance.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label of any head lice product and check whether it is suitable for the person being treated. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
