In schools, playgrounds, day care centers and other common places, children often contract head lice. Close physical contact transfers these little parasitic insects from one child to another. Older children can then inadvertently bring lice home, infecting others in the family, including infants. While treatments are available for head lice infestations on older children and adults, they are not appropriate for infants. To resolve head lice on your baby, other steps are required.
Cause
An Infant gets head lice from another person who carries the parasites. Once in your infant's hair, the lice bite the scalp to feed on blood. Adult lice then lay small, oval eggs, known as nits, on the hairs. The nits eventually hatch, releasing juvenile lice that will grow to adulthood and continue to spread the infestation.
Symptoms
If your infant scratches her head frequently, she may have head lice. Examine your baby's scalp thoroughly with a strong light and magnifying glass. If head lice are present you should see both the adult insects near the scalp and the nits on the individual hair shafts. Your baby's scalp may also show tiny red bumps which are the result of bites from lice.
Medications
For treating head lice in older children and adults, several medications, such as malathion, permethrin and lindane, are available both in over-the-counter and in prescription-strength in lotions and shampoos. However, these are far too strong for infants and may make them ill, according to MedlinePlus, particularly if used repeatedly. Avoid these medicated treatments for children under six months of age.
Treatment
Lice and nits on an infant's head should be physically removed. Fine-toothed nit combs are available in plastic or more durable metal to remove the parasites. Wash your baby's hair and rinse it thoroughly. While it is still wet, run the comb through the hair. After each pass of the comb, wipe it clean with a fresh facial tissue and examine it for both lice and nits. Continue this process until you have combed all of your baby's hair. Go back through the hair with your hands, examining the scalp and hair shafts for any remaining nits and lice. Comb the hair again, if necessary. Repeat this treatment every three to four days over the next two weeks from the time you spot the last lice or nits.
Prevention
If your infant has head lice, it is likely that someone else in the household s hapassed it on. Examine any other children and adults in the family for infestation and treat them as well. Do not allow your children to share items, including combs, brushes or hair decorations with others. Keep your baby away from bedding, clothing or other personal effects of anyone with head lice. Wash these items in hot water or place them in plastic bags for three to four days to kill lice, according to the MayoClinic.com. Clean your home, vacuuming carpets and furniture thoroughly and regularly to remove any stray lice.
