Head Lice
Also known as: Pediculosis
What is it?
Head lice are very small, wingless insects that
infest the scalp area.
Who gets it?
Anyone who has personal contact with someone
who is infected can get head lice. Head lice are
common in pre-schools and elementary schools where
children play closely together and it is easy for
the lice to spread from one child to another.
What causes it?
Lice are skin parasites that can live on
animals and humans. Head lice like the scalp area.
They live by sucking blood from the skin and
attaching their eggs to the hair. The eggs are
called nits. Head lice are extremely contagious.
They are spread by having close contact with the
head of someone who is infected. While there’s a
possibility they can also be spread by sharing
hats, combs, brushes, or other personal items that
were in contact with the infected person’s head,
lice die soon after leaving a person’s head.
What are the symptoms?
Head lice are usually found behind the ears and
at the nape of the neck. You may have no symptoms
if you are infested with only a few lice. As they
reproduce, you may notice white flakes at the base
of the hair, like dandruff. These are the nits.
However, because they are so firmly attached, you
cannot brush the flakes off. The growing number of
lice cause intense itching. You may develop a
bacterial infection if you scratch so hard that
you break open the skin.
How is it diagnosed?
To diagnose head lice, your doctor will take
your medical history and perform a physical
examination. He or she will check for lice and
nits in your hair. Let your doctor know if you are
pregnant or breast feeding because some treatments
are not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.
What is the treatment?
Head lice are treated with an over-the-counter
shampoo specially designed to kill the lice and
their eggs. If this does not work, your doctor may
prescribe a stronger treatment. Follow the
instructions that come with the product for the
best results. You will need to remove the dead
nits yourself using a fine-tooth comb or tweezers
after treatment. Your doctor may recommend a
topical cream to relieve itching, or an antibiotic
if you have a bacterial infection. Wash bedding,
towels, and clothes in hot water and detergent,
and dry them thoroughly at a high heat setting to
get rid of any dead lice. Although it is not
necessary, you may want to throw away old combs or
brushes and buy new ones to use after the lice are
gone.
Self-care tips
Lice infestations must be treated for them to
go away. The only way to prevent lice for sure is
to avoid any head-to-head contact with other
people.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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