Head lice-anyone can get it
When you think of head lice-you never think that you or your child could get it. ?I wash their hair everyday, there?s no way they could have it!? you say. But the reality is that head lice love clean hair and that anyone can get them. Head lice do not discriminate against dirty or clean, rich or poor, girl or boy, young or old. Head lice are easily spread from person to person through close contact or shared hats, brushes, combs, scarves and clothes.
The most common sign of lice is itching. People with head lice usually cannot stop itching and scratching their head. Head lice may not cause symptoms at first-itching of the scalp may start a few weeks or even a few months after lice have spread. Lice live off human blood and as they bite, it causes a reaction in the skin that makes it itch. Over-scratching of the skin makes the skin raw and the raw skin may ooze and crust over and possibly get infected. Lice can generally be treated by using an over-the-counter shampoo, which usually takes more than one treatment to work and kill the lice; then you may need to contact your physician to prescribe a pill called ivermectin. It is also extremely important to wash clothing, bedding, brushes, combs, and hair ties in hot water to help make sure that all the eggs are dead. There are no home remedies to cure lice; the only using nonprescription shampoos or presricption medicines can get rid of lice.
It is important to treat lice as soon as possible and as directed. Lice will not go away on their own and if left alone could cause serious health problems. If at any time you are in doubt of whether you or your child has lice or how to treat it; please contact your healthcare professional.
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Abby Irwin says...
How to tell if your child has head lice…
The best way to tell if your child has been exposed to head lice is by checking the head in good lighting?natural sun is best?and by running a fine-toothed comb through the hair. A good lice comb can make a big difference; at the Lice Solutions Resource Network, we prefer the all-metal Terminator–.
Lice eggs (or nits, as they are commonly called), can be found attached to one side of the hair shaft, usually near the scalp. They are teardrop-shaped, and glisten as the light hits them. Off the hair they look very similar to a tiny tadpole. Since they are glued to the hair they are not easily removed, and must be manually combed or pulled down the hair shaft. It is important to examine your children on a daily basis for three weeks following suspected exposure to head lice.
Should you find that your child actually does have head lice, exercise caution when treating. While there are many products on the market, we encourage you to choose nontoxic options. Among our favorites are Nit Free– (an enzyme-based shampoo) and HairClean 1-2-3– (a spray-on mist). Keep in mind that there is no easy solution: although these products will get rid of lice at the time of application, no matter what product you choose you will still need to follow up by methodically combing through the hair to look for and remove newly-born lice and their nits.
Once you have treated your child for lice, you should continue to check his or her head for the next three weeks?the duration of the head-lice life cycle. Be careful to also check and, if necessary, treat all family members and close contacts to help prevent ongoing exposure. The best way to ensure that your child remains lice-free is to incorporate a habit of regular comb-outs. By combing his or her hair for two to five minutes, once or twice a week, you will catch head lice very early on, before it has a chance to become a problem in your home.