Head lice are tiny, wingless insects that live in human hair and feed on small amounts of scalp blood, according to KidsHealth, part of the Nemours Foundation. They aren't dangerous but they are contagious and irritating. Head lice are also common in children between ages 3 and 12 because children generally have more close physical contact and they share items with each other, says KidsHealth. Treating head lice is a multi-pronged approach that involves knowing what to look for, what products to use and what preventative steps to take.
Signs
Lice can move quickly, so they're not always easy to see on a child's scalp, says the American Academy of Family Physicians. However, your child might have lice if you see small white oval-shaped dots---lice eggs---on her hair shafts, if she frequently scratches her head or if she has small red sores or bumps on her scalp, neck and shoulders. Take her to the doctor if you're not sure whether she has head lice.
Medication
Over-the-counter and prescription medicated shampoo for head lice can kill head lice and eggs. If over-the-counter medications don't work, your doctor may prescribe a more potent medication, says KidsHealth. Follow the instructions carefully. Applying the medication incorrectly may not fully eliminate the lice and applying too much medication may harm your child.
Comb Removal
Your doctor or the medicated shampoo instructions may recommend using a fine-toothed comb to manually get rid of eggs after you wash your child's hair. Moreover, you should only remove nits and lice by hand and not use any medicated shampoo if your child is under age 2, says KidsHealth. Your child's hair should be wet and conditioned to ensure that the lice are immobilized and the comb can move easily through the hair. Repeat combing every three to four days for the two weeks after you last saw a live louse, says KidsHealth.
Home Treatment
Your child's scalp may be reinfested with lice if you don't take measures to clear lice from your home. Use water that is at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit to wash all clothing and linens that infested family members were in contact with, and dry them on the "hot" cycle for at least 20 minutes, says KidsHealth. Take any linens, stuffed toys and clothing that isn't machine washable to a dry cleaner or place them in airtight bags for at least 2 weeks. Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture--even the seats in your vehicle--and soak hair care items such as hair ties and brushes in rubbing alcohol or medicated shampoo for at least an hour, recommends KidsHealth. Alternately, you can soak hair brushes and ties in hot water.
Prevention
Your child may inevitably get head lice from time to time, but you can take some steps to reduce future occurrences. Ask your child not to share hair tools and barrettes and instruct him not to try on hats that belong to other children, says the American Academy of Family Physicians. Pack his own pillow and towels if he will be sleeping away from home.
