Hair lice in children is a common condition that is not harmful other than causing some temporary itching until the critters are destroyed. A child's cleanliness or home background neither increases or decreases his risk of catching head lice. KidsHealth from Nemours states that children between the ages of 3 and 12 are more likely to get head lice than kids on either side of this age range, and that boys are less likely to be affected--perhaps due to a shorter haircut.
Nymphs and Nits
Hair lice consists of two different stages of lice: eggs and fully mature lice. The eggs are called nits, and are usually tan, light brown or yellow in color. Nits are tiny, and appear as microscopic dots or specks very close to the scalp, where your child's body temperature is warmer. Adult lice hatch within two weeks after the eggs are laid and are called nymphs during their babyhood, for about two weeks until they reach maturity. Mature lice are called adult lice or just lice. Adult lice are lighter in color than nits, according to KidsHealth from Nemours, and look like a white or off-white sesame seed.
Symptoms
A child with hair lice will itch and will most likely be seen scratching her head intensely and repeatedly. The lice feed on blood; their bites cause the itchy feeling. You may also be able to see the irritation caused by the lice under your child's hairline. Small, red bumps may form where the lice have fed off the scalp.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of hair lice in children consists of a visual inspection and may be performed at school by a nurse if there is a known outbreak in the community. Separating the strands of hair to look for small clumps very close to the scalp--usually only 1/4 of an inch from the hairline--is the general procedure used to look for head lice. Nits may appear to be dandruff due to their shape, color and size, but they do not shake off the hair as dandruff flakes do.
Treatment
Applying topical medications that kill lice is the first step toward treating lice in many cases. Over-the-counter medications that contain chemicals such as pyrethins and pyrethroids are appropriate for use in children over the age of 2 and are massaged into your child's scalp. A stronger, prescription anti-lice medication containing malathion may also be available through your doctor. Depending on the formula of the lotion, either the nits, adult lice or both will succumb to the chemicals, and some treatments may need to be repeated after a week or so. The Centers for Disease Control explains that the topical medications will be most effective if you do not wash your child's hair before applying the lotions, and refrain from washing the hair for a couple of days after treatment to ensure the maximum number of lice and eggs are killed.
Children under the age of 2 years old should not be exposed to the potent chemicals in lice medications; thorough combings of the hair with a fine toothed comb and manual removal of nits and nymphs is required.
Treating household objects is just as important as treating the child; washing all bedding and clothing in hot water kills remaining critters. Vacuuming the rug removes lice that may have fallen from your child's head to the floor. Discarding old hair accessories or disinfecting them in a soak of rubbing alcohol for at least an hour is also recommended by KidsHealth from Nemours.
Prevention
Hair lice in children can spread very easily through close bodily contact, especially in schools, camps and daycare settings where the enrollments are large. Teaching children to use their own brushes, combs, hair accessories and hats without sharing with their friends can help prevent a lice infestation from spreading. Kids should avoid wrestling or other activities in which their heads touch, to avoid spreading lice to one another, according to KidsHealth from Nemours. Find out your child's school's policy regarding attendance following a case of lice.
Washing all clothing and bedding of the child in hot water can kill any nymphs or eggs that may have attached themselves to the fabric and prevents re-infestation once the child has undergone treatment.
