Headlice - What Are They And How To Treat Them?

A common problem among children who are in close contact during elementary school and day care is this nasty little thing call headlice. They live not only on the scalp, but can travel to other hair on the head, which include facial and eyebrows. Lice on other body hair is referred to as public lice, or body lice.

Contrary to popular belief, headlice do not fly (they have no wings) and they cannot jump. They crawl from one location to the next, and the females lay eggs called nits. A female louse can lay 50 to 100 nits before dying. The nits are attached to the hairs using a sticky substance, making them difficult to remove manually from the hair shaft. Once the nit is left by the female louse, it takes about 10 days to mature to an adult.

When it is determined that your child has head lice, it is often noticed by a school nurse or teacher. Many parents' first question is about how to get rid of head lice. There are many lice shampoo products, which all can be bought at a local pharmacy. Just ask your pharmacist for a suggestion on shampoo products, and lice combs. There are also herbal treatments which involve tea tree oil, or coconut oil.

The areas where your child spends the most time, especially his or her bedroom, must be thoroughly treated. This involves daily vacuuming to suck up loose nits or lice and washing sheets, clothes, and stuffed animals in the hottest water possible and drying them on the hottest cycle.

Preventing lice is sometimes impossible, but through the practice of good hygiene you can lower the odds. Instruct your child to not share helmets, hats, or any form of hooded clothing with other children. Wipe off items such as headphones between use as well. You must also check your child for signs of headlice frequently. Such signs can be white spots which do not comb off with ease, and monitor your child for any scratching of the head.

If your child becomes infected, tell their teacher or school nurse. This can help prevent the infection from spreading to children around them. Some schools will require that children stay home until treated and completely free of nits and lice. You will have to verify this with your local school policy.

Headlice is a really tough thing for any family to deal with. Many people are confused with how to get rid of head lice. One of the most popular and successful ways to get rid of it is with lice shampoo. Other people may stick to more of an old wives tale approach, but modern shampoos made for lice are the most appropriate. Every family has dealt with lice or a similar scare at some point in time. It is a risk we take when we deal with other people and share hats or other such items.

Other articles by Norman Horowitz

Headlice - Infestations Of Headlice Announce Themselves With Intense Itchy Sensations Along - by Norman Horowitz
Tiny, wingless parasites that thrive on the scalp of humans, most commonly at the back of the neck at the base of the skull, and behind the ears, are called headlice (scientific name Pediculus humanus capitis). Their eggs, referred to as nits, are the easiest way to identify a lice infestation. They look much like white bits of dandruff, but when you look closer, you can discern the oval shape.

Nits Are Easily Spotted - by Norman Horowitz

Oftentimes, a person who suspects he or she has head lice will prematurely contemplate how to get rid of head lice without first confirming the presence of nits. Treating head lice without first determining if an infection is present

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