Head Lice (cont.)
In this Article
Where are head lice most commonly found?
Head lice are most frequently located on the scalp behind the ears
and near the neckline at the back of the neck. Head lice hold on to
hair with hook-like claws that are found at the end of each of their
six legs. Head lice are rarely found on the body, eyelashes, or
eyebrows.
What are the signs and symptoms of head lice infestation?
The signs and symptoms are
- a tickling feeling of something moving in the hair;
- itching (caused by the an allergic reaction to the bites);
- sores on the head (caused by scratching);
- these sores on the head can sometimes become infected; and
- irritability (a very nonspecific thing, to be sure).
How is a head lice infestation diagnosed?
Head lice can be detected by looking closely through the hair and
scalp for nits, nymphs, or adults. Locating a nymph or adult may be
difficult; there are usually only a few of them, and they can move
quickly from searching fingers. However, the presence of nits close
to the scalp confirms that a person is infested. If the nits are
located more than ¼ inch from the scalp, the infestation is
probably an old one. If you are not sure whether or not a person has
head lice, the diagnosis should be made by a health-care provider,
school nurse, or a professional from the local health department or
agricultural extension service. The nits of head lice are easily
visible with a microscope.
How is a head lice infestation (pediculosis) treated?
For effective elimination of head lice, the infested individual,
family members that are also infested, and the home must all be
treated.
Treatment of the individual and the infected family
members:
Over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications are used to
treat the affected people and their families. Follow these treatment
steps:
- Remove all clothing.
- Apply lice medicine, also called pediculicide,
according to the label instructions. If your child has extra long hair, you
may need to use a second bottle. WARNING: Do not use a cream rinse or
combination shampoo/conditioner before using lice medicine. Do not re-wash
hair for one to two days after treatment.
- Have the infested person put on clean clothing after treatment.
- If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after
treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not retreat. Comb dead
and remaining live lice out of the hair. The medicine sometimes takes longer
to kill the lice.
- If, eight to 12 hours after treatment, no dead lice are
found and lice seem as active as before, the medicine may not be working. See
your health-care provider for a different medication and follow their
treatment instructions.
- Nit (head lice egg) combs, often found in lice
medicine packages should be used to remove nits and lice from the hair shaft.
Many flea combs made for cats and dogs are also effective.
- After the initial treatment, check, comb, and remove nits and lice from
hair every two to three days.
- Re-treat in seven to 10 days.
- Check all treated people for two to three weeks until you are sure all lice and nits are gone.
Treating the house:
Treating the whole house is a laborious but important task. Follow these steps:
- Machine wash all washable clothing and bed linens that the infested person touched during the
two days before treatment (to kill
the lice and nits). Use the hot water cycle (130 degrees F; 55 degrees C) to wash clothes. Dry laundry using the hot cycle for at least 20 minutes.
- Dry clean clothing that is not washable (coats, hats, scarves, etc.), or
store all clothing, stuffed animals, comforters, etc., that cannot be washed or
dry cleaned into a plastic bag and seal it for two weeks.
- Soak combs and brushes for one hour in rubbing alcohol, Lysol, or wash with soap and hot (130 degrees F; 55 degrees C) water.
- Vacuum the floor and furniture. Do not use fumigant sprays. (They can be toxic if inhaled.)
Next: My child has head lice. I don't. Should I treat myself to prevent being infested? »
- Over-The-Counter Products -
- Hair Removal - There are several ways to remove your unwanted hair with varied results, including shaving, plucking, depilation, waxing, laser, and electrolysis.
- Itching - Learn the causes and treatments for itching (itch). Dry skin, fungus, sunburn and bites may cause itching. Excessive scratching may lead to thickened skin (lichenification).
Latest Medical News
Kids Health RSS