Head lice (Pediculus capitis) are small parasitic insects exquisitely adapted to living mainly on the scalp and neck hairs of their human host. Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp. They can be spread by close contact with other people. Lice are parasitic insects that can be found on people's heads, bodies, and pubic area. Lice are most commonly spread by person-to-person contact. They live on people's heads and feed on their blood. An adult is called a louse and is about the size of a sesame seed. The eggs, called nits, are even smaller - almost like a dandruff flake. Head lice can survive up to 30 days on a human. Their eggs can live for more than 2 weeks. Lice and nits are easiest to detect at the neckline and behind the ears.
Head lice can live up to 3 days off the scalp. Although the eggs can also survive for up to 3 days, they need a warm environment to develop. They are not likely to hatch at room temperature. Head lice causes intense itching, but does not lead to a serious medical problem. Infestation is marked by tiny red spots on the scalp. Lice may be visible in the hair behind the ears and at the nape of the neck as these are favourite spots for infestations. Children may have head lice for several weeks with no symptoms. Small, red bumps or sores from scratching. For some kids, the irritation is mild; for others, a more bothersome rash with crusting and oozing may develop. Treatment is recommended if even one egg is found. Lotions and shampoos containing permethrin are usually effective.
Medicated lice treatments can usually kill the lice and nits, but it may take a few days for the itching to stop. Never share hair brushes, combs, hair pieces, hats, bedding, towels, or clothing with someone who has head lice. wash the hair as normal using an ordinary shampoo,apply conditioner liberally to wet hair (this causes the lice to lose their grip on the hair). Don't use more than one head lice medication at a time. Don't use sprays or hire a pest control company to try to get rid of the lice, as they can be harmful. Do not use a creme rinse or combination shampoo/conditioner before using lice medicine. Do not re-wash hair for 1-2 days after treatment. Never use gasoline or kerosene. Metal combs with very fine teeth are stronger and more effective than plastic nit combs.
Head Lice Treatment Tips
1. Do not use medicated lotions or rinses.
2. Regular combing of hair using the bug-busting method can help with early detection.
3. Before applying treatment, remove all clothing from the waist up.
4. Don't use a hair dryer on your child's hair after applying any of the currently available scalp treatments.
5. Apply lice medicine, also called pediculicide , according to label instructions.
6. Nit combs, often found in lice medicine packages, should be used to comb nits and lice from the hair shaft.
For headlice to spread, a person must have direct personal contact with someone who is infested, or by contact with infested clothing and items. Head lice is extremely contagious, so if you suspect an infestation, use a nit-removal lice comb to check everyone in your household. Symptoms include itching, swollen glands in the back of the neck, foul-smelling hair and small, oval white or gray-white spots stuck to the hair shaft. If you do find lice or nits, remove them using tweezers, your finger-nails, or a piece of tape wrapped around your finger, sticky side up. Adult lice are reddish-brown and do not jump or fly.
Treating head lice is as easy as consulting a pharmacist for shampoos that kill head lice and nits. The National Pediculosis Association strongly advises against using lice products containing lindane, because it has been associated with a number of serious medical conditions, including seizures and possibly cancer. You can treat eyelashes and eyebrows with a thick layer of petroleum jelly applied twice daily for eight days. For a head lice home remedy, try using olive oil or mayonnaise on the head. There is some evidence that it works by smothering the nits. Massage it into the hair, leave it in as long as possible and then manually comb out the nits. Heat can kill lice and nits, so use a hair dryer after treatments.
Head lice require human blood to survive, so they can't live long in clothing, linens and furniture. To prevent a reinfestation, wash all bedding, recently used towels and recently worn clothing in hot water, and dry them in a hot dryer. Soak all combs and brushes in hot water for at least 10 minutes. If you don't have access to a washer and dryer, isolate the infected clothes and bedding in a garbage bag for two weeks, which is plenty of time for head lice to die. Vacuuming is the safest and best way to remove lice or fallen hairs, with attached nits, from upholstered furniture, rugs, stuffed animals and cars.
To keep the infestation from spreading, it's a good idea to stay home and keep your kids home from school for a few days. To protect yourself, avoid sharing hats, bicycle helmets, combs, brushes and clothing with anyone who may have lice. Remember that even if a person is clean, they may still have lice. If you do end up with lice, approach your treatment with care. Pregnant or nursing women should not use treatments for head lice and babies should NEVER be exposed to the chemicals. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist who'll give you good advice on treating this nasty problem.
Both Juliet Cohen & Alexa Peters are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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