Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are parasites or tiny insects that feed on your blood from the scalp. Head lice most often affect children and transfer from one person to another through direct contact with the hair of the person having the problem.
Infestation head lice have nothing to do with poor hygiene or an unhealthy living environment. They won’t carry any kind of bacterial or viral infectious diseases. They are more prevalent in preschool and elementary school-aged children.
A lot of home remedies and OTC prescription medications are available to treat head lice. Head lice infestation is very common; nearly 6-12 million cases are registering annually.
Symptoms of head lice
The common signs of head lice infestation include:
- Itching on the scalp, neck and ears
- Visible lice on the scalp but are difficult to spot
- Lice eggs or nits that stick to the hair shafts
- swollen lymph nodes, or glands
- pink eye
- tickling sensation in the hair
Head lice can live up to thirty days. Female head lice lay around eight eggs each day. Lice colour will be different and based on hair colour.
Causes of head lice
Head lice are contagious; they can only crawl, but can’t jump or fly. You can get infected when you are in direct contact with the infected person like touching your head to the infested person’s head. Lice may also spread from one person to another indirect transmission by using an infected person’s:
- Hats and scarves
- Brushes and combs
- Hair accessories
- Headphones
- Pillows
- Clothes
They may also live in upholstered furniture. Most of the researchers doesn’t support the transmission of lice through inanimate objects.
Treatment for head lice at Padma Clinic
Most of the people stop them from spreading by wet or dry combing regularly. There are several other treatments available to prevent head lice.
Here are some medicines approved by the FDA to treat head lice. Consult a doctor before rather than opting for own treatment.
- Permethrin ( (Nix)) cream for children older than two years
- malathion lotion
- Benzyl alcohol lotion for children six months old and older.
- spinosad topical suspension
- ivermectin lotion
These products called as pediculicides. Malathion (Ovide) is a pesticide used to treat lice in children who are six years old or older. The treatment options are mostly based on age so consult our doctors at Padma Clinic for the best treatment.