Lice are tiny, wingless and parasitic insects that feed on small amounts of blood. They have adapted to living on the head and neck hair of human hosts and eat from the scalp. Lice are most prevalent in children aged 3 to 12. Girls, because of their longer hair, are more prone to getting lice than boys. Lice and lice eggs, known as nits, are not dangerous and do not spread or cause disease.
Who Gets Lice
Anyone can get head lice, regardless of hygiene, sanitation or socioeconomic standing. The Harvard School of Public Health reports that the insects are transferred by head-to-head contact, and less often through shared hair accessories like combs, hats and helmets. Lice can only live on upholstered furniture and bedding for short periods of time since they need to feed on a host at least once a day.
In North America, young children and Caucasians are more prone to acquiring head lice compared to other ethnic and age groups.
Signs
KidsHealth.org indicates that parents should be concerned if they notice scratching; small, red bumps; and sores from scratching---especially around the head and neck.
Some kids do not show signs of lice right away. Depending on the sensitivity of their skin, it could take a few weeks before they begin feeling the insect bites. Other kids may report having the sensation that something is moving in his hair.
What to Look For
Lice eggs resemble tiny yellow, tan or brown dots. Once the egg hatches, the shell becomes transparent and almost impossible to differentiate from dead skin cells or dandruff. Unlike dandruff, nits cannot be brushed off. KidsHealth.org reports that, "Unless the infestation is heavy, it's more common to see nits in a child's hair than it is to see live lice crawling on the scalp. Lice eggs hatch within 1 to 2 weeks after they're laid."
What to Do
Even if you believe you see lice or nits on your child's head, it's important to have the child examined. The entomology department at Harvard University reports that of more than 600 nit and lice samples submitted, only about two-thirds were identified as lice. The other samples were other insects or debris that resembled insect eggs. And if you do find only hatched or dead eggs on your child's head, no treatment is required.
Treatment
Treatment should only be provided if there is a live infestation. The first step is to comb hair with a louse comb daily for about a week and a half until the comb stops yielding living and dead lice and eggs.
If combing is not successful, treat the hair with an over-the-counter pediculicide containing permethrin or pyrethrins two times. Launder bedding, pajamas and towels following each treatment. Place stuffed toys in the dryer for 5 minutes to kill living insects (there will not be eggs on clothing, bedding, toys or other objects). Itching may persist for a few days following treatment.
If the pediculicide treatment does not work, consult your physician.
