Head Lice – A Nuisance Here To Stay
Head lice are a very widespread predicament especially in children between the ages of three and twelve. Even though, they are not really hazardous, they spread easily and can be very irritating. Girls and women are more prone to it than men.
Though too small, we can see them if observed carefully and once infected it’s not so easy to run out of it. The severe itching that you experience in your head is the universal symptom for the infection and this may result in sores which may later become infected and painful. Head lice could make one feel extremely irritating and is also a matter for social botheration among public in case of several itching and scratching.
One could see the lice eggs or nits in the hair especially at the hair root closer to the scalp. The adult head lice is about the size of a sesame seed while the lice nits takes two weeks to hatch out which later takes around 14 days to develop as a fully grown lice. The adult lice are tanned or greyish whereas the shells of lice nits are seen as transparent.
Majority of head lice thrive on the blood that they draw from the scalp umpteen times a day. But they can also live even away from the scalp for a couple of days. Whenever the lice bite, our scalp begins itching and we experience severe irritation. Some times the scalp becomes red and sore from this scratching and if this becomes worse, you will develop lice infection which will have to be treated with a course of antibiotics.
One way to check out for lice infestation includes use of fine toothed louse combs or by parting the hair to find any lice. Once infected, there are many methods available to control the infestation as it is not so easy to completely wipe out the thing by a single treatment. Silicon contained ointments, shampoos; hot air treatment, chemical washes, natural treatments etc. can do much to get better with the infestation.
The most common way to get rid of head lice is to use medicated shampoos that are specially meant for this purpose. You should only treat your scalp when live head lice are found in your hair and not just lice nits. The best way to get rid of head lice is to consult a doctor who will suggest the treatment according to the intensity of lice infestation.
Always prevention could serve you far better than cure, so be elegant of avoiding the chances for lice infestation. Keep your scalp and hair clean, comb daily with louse combs; avoid the use of combs and towels used by infected plan unless properly cleaned. Another important thing is regarding the early treatment; ’stitch in time saves nine’, the treatment in the early stages of the infestation will help you to avoid further infection and thus preventing complications like the bleeding sores. Proper means of prevention and treatment could prevent your family members also from getting infected.
Pat Heed distributes articles about head lice – a problem for millions of children each year. Head lice is a nuisance that won’t leave anytime soon. Once someone has been infected it can become a family wide issue. See us to learn more, or for advice and products that can treat head lice .
