Dealing with a head lice infestation can be very difficult if you do not understand these tiny blood-sucking insects. You may not even know you are dealing with a head lice infestation to begin with. This article provides all the information you need on head lice so that you can effectively deal with them.
Cause
These insects are transferred from one person to another through sharing personal items, such as combs and hats with an infected person. They can also be transferred through upholstered furniture and bedding. You can also get lice through physical contact with an infected person For example, if you hug an infected person and your heads touch, you can get head lice. They are extremely contagious. If one person in the house has head lice, the rest of the household is bound to get them in no time.
The people who are at the highest risk of getting head lice are children between the ages of 3 and 11, and their families. People who work around children in this age bracket, such as preschool teachers and people who work in daycare facilities, are also at risk. It has nothing to do with hygiene, and diseases cannot be transmitted through head lice. However, they can cause a lot of discomfort to the affected person.
Symptoms
- Itchy scalp – The scalp gets extremely itchy; not just the normal itch that everyone gets once in a while due to a mild reaction to a hair product or other such things.
- Bumps on the scalp – Scratching your scalp and neck will lead to the formation of small red bumps and scabs.
- Crawling sensation on the scalp – This is because of the lice in your hair
If you suspect that you have a lice infestation, you should check your hair for both lice and lice eggs, which are known as nits. Have someone else check for you because they can be difficult to spot because of their size. You might have to use a bright light so that you can see clearly.
Treatment
A head lice infestation can be treated using over-the-counter lotions and shampoos that contain pyrethrin. However, children under the age of 2 years should not be treated with products containing pyrethrin. Products containing pyrethrin should also not be used by people who are allergic to ragweed or chrysanthemums. Other substances that may be used for lice treatment include benzyl alcohol solution, malathion and lindane, among others. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any allergies that may affect your treatment.
Even as you treat your head lice infestation using these pesticides, it is important to get rid of any lice that may be hiding in your house. Therefore, you need to wash all your bedding, towels, hats and scarves in hot water in order to kill any lice that may be hiding there. You should also wash combs and brushes and any other items that may have nits so that you can get rid of the problem completely.