Lice is one of the most commonly transmitted problems among school-aged children. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is only second in communicability to the common cold. Head lice are small parasites that take up residence in human and animal hair to feed on small amounts of blood from the scalp. They do not indicate bad hygiene habits, do not spread diseases and are not dangerous, but they are annoying, and ridding children and adults of the parasitic infestation is a long process.
Itching and Scratching
Itching, sometimes intense, is often the first sign that lice have taken root in the scalp. The itching is caused by an allergic reaction to the saliva of the louse as it bites into the scalp. The bites produce red bumps that are extremely itchy. It is important to note that not everyone experiences this symptom. If this is the first infestation, or if the person is not sensitive to the saliva of the louse, little or no itching may be experienced.
Nits
Nits are the eggs laid by an adult louse. They are small, white and visible to the naked eye, and can be seen when brushing or washing the hair. Lice lay their eggs on the scalp close to the base of the hair shaft, and can easily be mistaken for dandruff. However, nits will not brush off the scalp easily. A nit-picker, or a professional who specializes in removing head lice, is often called to remove the eggs and lice from the head.
Lice and Nymphs
Adult lice and young lice, or nymphs, are also visible to the naked eye. They are approximately the size of a strawberry seed, and are most commonly spotted around the ears and the base of the neck.
Sores on the Head
Sores result from the intense scratching a person may do in order to relieve the itching associated with lice bites. Though they come later in the infestation process, sores are important to watch for as they bleed with rough scratching, and this can lead to an infection of the scalp. If there is an unknown infestation, earlier signs may be mistakenly attributed to other causes such as dandruff or itching due to dry scalp.
