The Head Lice Infestation

What are Head Lice?

Head lice (scientifically known as Pediculosis Capitis) are small parasitic insects exquisitely adapted to living on your scalp and neck hairs. Their six impressive legs are elegantly evolved to grasp hair shafts and provide a striking example of biological specialization. Long associated with people, they have been known since prehistorical times.

Though they do not cause hair loss directly, its commonness leads it to be one of the more widely sought hair topics. So I would like to share some information with you.

How does it Spreads?

These parasitic insects can't fly. Therefore the only way for them to spread are through direct contact. You can get it from

• clothing
• hair dressing items like combs and towels
• contact with an infested person
• sharing beds

The chances of getting it are higher with kids because they tend to play a lot in nature and might expose themselves to infested children. Do check your kids hair from time for time for potential infestation.

What do a Head Louse looks like?

There are 3 phases of growth, which are

• Nits - the eggs of the adult head louse
• Nymph - Baby louse
• Adult louse - at the size of a sesame seed and lives for 30 days.

Where are they most commonly found?

They are most commonly found

• on the scalp
• behind the ears
• near the neckline
• at the back of the neck

Remember, they can hold on to hair with hook-like claws found at the end of each of their six legs and are rarely found on the body, eyelashes, or eyebrows.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of an Infestation?

Look out for the following

• Tickling feeling of something moving in the hair.
• Itching, caused by an allergic reaction to the bites.
• Irritability.
• Sores on the head caused by scratching. These sores can sometimes become infected.

How do I find the Problem?

You can see whether you have an infestation by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or adults. It's usually hard to spot the adult or nymph because they move quickly and hides when you are searching for them. If you cannot find them, try looking for the nits that should be located within ¼ inch of your scalp.

If you are unsure whether you have the problem, try asking your doctor or a nurse for help.

How about the Treatment?

The most important step to take in treating head lice is to treat any infested person with medication to kill the lice. Make sure you

1. Wash the infested person's clothing and beddin
2. Get a anti lice medicine known as Pediculicide
3. Pay attention to the instructions and follow it accordingly
4. Do not use any cream or conditioner before using lice
5. medication
6. Use a nit comb to comb out the eggs

If after 8-12 hours of treatment and if you can still find head lice. It means that the medication that you are using is not effective. Talk to your doctor for other alternatives.

Clean your Home Too.

To prevent head lice from coming back, make sure you clean up your household. Head lice that fall off after treatment might crawl to your clothes or furniture and that might cause reinfestation.

Follow these few steps for efficient cleaning

1. Wash all your washable clothing and bed linens. Use hot water of 130 Farenheit. Dry your laundry using high heat for at least 20 minutes.
2. Keep all your stuffed animals, comforters and any personal items into a plastic bag and seal it for 2 weeks.
3. Soak your comb and brushes with Dettol or Lysol and wash it off with soap in hot water.
4. Vacuum your house. Focus on the sofas, carpets and any place you think they can hide.

How to Avoid Getting it

Head lice are commonly spread by head to head contact and also from clothing and belongings. A few good steps for prevention are

• Avoid head to head contact during outdoors like picnic or when you are exposed to the nature.
• Don't share your clothes, hats or head gears
• Don't share toiletries like towels, brushes or combs
• Don't use beds, couches, pillows or anything that has came in contact with the infested person.

Although there is no 100% percent way that you can fully prevent from getting infested, preventive measures such as the above are effective to ward of head lice. Just pay more attention to personal hygiene and everything will be fine.