Head Lice: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

What are the symptoms of head lice?

Symptoms of head lice include:

1. Itching: The most common symptom, caused by an allergic reaction to the bites of the lice.
2. Tickling feeling: A sensation of something moving in the hair.
3. Lice on the scalp, hair, and clothing: Adult lice are about the size of a sesame seed and may be difficult to spot. Nymphs (young lice) are smaller and also hard to see.
4. Lice eggs (nits) on hair shafts: Nits are tiny white or yellow-brown oval-shaped eggs that attach firmly to the hair shafts near the scalp. They may look like dandruff but cannot be brushed off easily.
5. Sores on the scalp, neck, and shoulders: Scratching can lead to sores, which can become infected with bacteria.
6. Difficulty sleeping: Lice are more active in the dark, which can cause discomfort and itching, leading to disrupted sleep.

If you suspect head lice, it’s important to check the hair and scalp carefully and seek appropriate treatment to eliminate the infestation.

What are the causes of head lice?

Head lice are caused by infestation with the parasitic insect Pediculus humanus capitis. The primary causes and risk factors for head lice infestations include:

1. Direct Head-to-Head Contact: The most common way head lice spread is through direct contact with the hair of an infested person. This can occur during play, school activities, sports, or at home.
2. Sharing Personal Items: Lice can spread through sharing items that come into contact with hair, such as combs, brushes, hats, scarves, helmets, hair accessories, headphones, and bedding.
3. Close Living Conditions: Crowded living conditions, such as in schools, daycare centers, or homes with multiple people, increase the risk of spreading head lice.
4. Personal Hygiene: While head lice infestation is not related to personal hygiene or cleanliness, close physical proximity and shared use of items among people can facilitate the spread of lice.
5. Age and Social Behavior: Children between the ages of 3 and 11 are more commonly affected by head lice due to their close interactions with peers.
6. Infested Household Items: Though less common, lice can sometimes spread through infested bedding, pillows, and upholstered furniture if these items are shared shortly after use by an infested person.

It is important to note that head lice do not jump or fly; they move by crawling. Therefore, direct contact is the most significant factor in their spread.

What is the treatment for head lice?

Treatment for head lice typically involves using medications that kill the lice and their eggs (nits), along with other measures to prevent reinfestation. Here are common approaches to treating head lice:

1. Medicated Shampoos or Lotions: Over-the-counter or prescription shampoos or lotions containing insecticides like permethrin or pyrethrin are commonly used. These products should be applied according to the instructions, left on the hair for the recommended time, and then thoroughly rinsed out. They work by killing live lice and, to some extent, nits.
2. Nit Removal: After using the medicated shampoo or lotion, it’s essential to comb the hair thoroughly with a fine-toothed nit comb to remove any remaining nits. This combing process helps to physically remove nits from the hair shafts.
3. Repeat Treatment: Since most medicated treatments do not always kill nits, a second treatment may be necessary 7-10 days later to kill any newly hatched nymphs before they can mature and lay eggs.
4. Washing of Clothing and Bedding: Wash any clothing, bedding, towels, and recently used items in hot water and dry them on the hot cycle to help kill lice and nits that may have fallen off the head.
5. Vacuuming: Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and car seats where infested individuals have been to remove any fallen hairs with attached nits or lice.
6. Avoiding Reinfestation: Encourage individuals to avoid sharing personal items like combs, brushes, hats, and bedding during treatment and for several days afterward. It’s also essential to thoroughly clean or isolate shared items that can’t be washed.
7. Head Checks: Periodically check for lice and nits after treatment to ensure all lice have been eliminated.

If over-the-counter treatments do not work, or if the infestation is severe, a healthcare provider may prescribe stronger medications or recommend alternative treatments. It’s important to follow the instructions provided with any treatment to ensure effectiveness and minimize the risk of side effects.