Lice are very small parasites that use humans as hosts. These wingless insects feed on very small amounts of blood. Although there are several types of lice, children primarily suffer from head lice or body lice. Lice commonly infest children ages 3 to 12, according to the Kids Health website, and girls are affected more often than boys.
Types
Head lice, or Pediculosis capitis, live in the hair and occasionally the eyelashes or eyebrows. Body lice, called Pediculus humanus corporis, reside on the skin of the body, particularly in the armpit and waist areas. Adult head lice lay their eggs--or nits--on the hair shafts close to the surface of the skin, where the body heat keeps the nits warm until they hatch about seven to 14 days later. Lice prefer to eat blood several times a day, but can survive for up to two days without feeding.
Symptoms
Kids suffering from lice infestations commonly scratch a lot and often complain of itchy skin. The lice inject a saliva into the skin while feeding. Many children have an allergic reaction to the saliva and develop small, red sores or bumps. These sores sometimes ooze and turn crusty. Body lice often causes the skin in the waist area to become discolored or thickened. While lice are very small insects, you can usually see them or the nits with the naked eye. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that lice eggs usually look like yellow or brown dots. Adult lice are generally about the size of a strawberry seed and have a light brown or gray-white coloring.
Causes
Kids contract body lice by coming in direct contact with an infested individual or by using infested clothes, bedding or towels. Head lice is spread through head-to-head contact or by using an infested person's personal belongings, such as combs, brushes, headphones or hats. Lice cannot jump or fly, and they cannot be transmitted by household pets.
Treatments
Most lice infestations respond well to over-the-counter, medicated shampoos specifically designed to kill these insects. Doctors can prescribe stronger insecticidal shampoos if the lice prove to be resistant to non-prescription shampoos. After washing your child's hair, carefully comb out the nits with a fine-toothed comb or a specially designed nit comb. Excessive scratching sometimes breaks the skin, which might lead to a bacterial infection. These infections generally require prescribed oral antibiotic medications. The UMMC suggests giving kids an over-the-counter antihistamine to help relieve itching.
Home Treatments
While your child is being treated for lice, make sure the other people in your household don't become infested. The Mayo Clinic website suggests washing all of your child's clothing, stuffed animals and bed linens in very hot water. Machine dry the items on a hot setting for a minimum of 20 minutes. Dry clean or bag up items that cannot be put through the washer and dryer. Vacuum all of the carpets and upholstered furniture in your home. Soak your child's brushes, combs, hair bands and barrettes in a medicated shampoo or isopropyl alcohol for 15 to 60 minutes.
Considerations
Remember that having lice is not a sign of poor personal hygiene or an unclean home. Lice can infest kids of all socioeconomic levels, no matter how often they bathe and wash their hair. Prevent lice infestations by instructing your child not to share hats, combs, towels, pillows or other personal care items with other children.
