Head lice are commonly found on the heads of children, who can easily spread the parasites between each other. Steps can be taken to try to prevent your child from acquiring lice, but these often are done in vain. However, lice are usually easily treated with the right shampoo or medication.
Definition
Head lice are small insects that live on and feed on the blood found in your scalp. They are very common, especially in young children. If your child gets lice, you may notice the insects, about the size of a strawberry seed, or the eggs on their scalp. Your child will also experience intense itching. Head lice are spread from head-to-head contact or from sharing personal items, like hats, clothes or towels. Lice are not dangerous but do need to be treated.
Prevention
It is difficult to prevent lice in children, due to the close contact between children in school and social settings. You can tell your child not to share clothes, combs, coats and other personal belongings. However, lice spread easily. No matter what preventive steps you take, lice can still spread. Lice are not a reflection of personal hygiene, however. If your child gets lice, it is not due to a lack of bathing or shampooing.
Shampoo Treatment
The first step in treating lice is usually using specialized shampoo. Shampoos containing pyrethrin or permethrin can help fight lice if used correctly. Some lice have become resistant to these drugs. If this is the case, your doctor can prescribe medications with other ingredients.
Medications
Malathion, lindane and benzyl alcohol are three medications used to treat lice. These medications are creams, lotions or shampoos. To properly use medication, first rinse and dry the hair before applying the medicine to the hair and scalp. After it has been on for 10 minutes, rinse it off. You should check you child's hair a week later for lice. If the lice are still there, repeat the treatment. These medications can have side effects including skin, scalp and eye irritations and are generally not recommended for children under 6 months of age.
Home Remedies
If your child has lice, you should use the proper shampoo or medication. However, lice may be living on household items like bedding or clothing. If you believe this is the case, there are several steps you can take. Washing items in hot water (above 130 F) and drying them at high heat for 20 minutes can kill lice. You can also seal items in an airtight plastic bag. This will kill adult lice, and newly hatched lice will die without a food source.
