Head lice are parasites that are found on human heads. It is caused by Pediculushumanuscapitis which is an obligate ectoparasite of humans that causes pediculosiscapitis.
Symptoms
Symptoms:
- A tickling feeling of something moving in the hair;
- Itching
- Sores on the head (caused by scratching) which can sometimes become infected;
- Irritability
Causes
A child can contract head lice in a number of ways.
- Contact with an already infected person (Personal contact is common during play, school, or sports activities, and at school, home, slumber parties, or camp.)
- Wearing infected clothing, such as hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms, or hair ribbons
- Using infected combs, brushes, or towels.
Diagnosis
Head lice can be detected by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs, or adults.The nits of head lice are easily visible with a microscope.
Preventions
- Wash all bed linens and clothing that's been recently worn by anyone in your home who's infested in very hot water.
- Soak hair-care items like combs, hair ties or bands, headbands, and brushes medicated shampoo for 1 hour. You also can wash them in hot water or just throw them away.
- Because lice are easily passed from person to person in the same house, bedmates and infested family members also will need treatment to prevent the lice from coming back.
Treatment
- Remove all clothing.
- Apply lice medicine, also called pediculicide. Do not use a cream rinse or combination shampoo/conditioner before using lice medicine. Do not rewash hair for one to two days after treatment.
- Have the infested person put on clean clothing after treatment.
- Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair. The medicine sometimes takes longer to kill the lice.
- After the initial treatment, check, comb, and remove nits (head lice egg) and lice from hair every two to three days.
- Retreat in seven to 10 days.
