What are head lice?

Head lice are tiny bugs that reside in human hair. They are particularly common in children. Head lice are whitish to grey-brown in colour, and smaller than the size of a pinhead when first hatched. When fully grown they are about the size of a sesame seed. They can’t fly, jump or swim and are spread via head-to-head contact, climbing from the hair of an infected person to the hair of someone else.

A head lice infestation isn’t the outcomes of dirty hair or poor hygiene. All types of hair can also be affected, regardless its length and condition. Head lice only affect people and cannot be passed on to animals or be caught from them.

Where do head lice come from?

Head lice are human parasites and don’t come from the air or ground. In fact, head lice have probably been here the beginning of time. Head lice and nits that have dried up were found on the hair and scalps of Egyptian mummies.

How to recognise them

You might recognise whether you have head lice. Head lice are grayish brown insects that live on your scalp and feed on blood. Seek medical help for an examination for those who consider itchiness very most likely and may also see little bugs come out of your hair as you itch. Using of a magnifying glass makes identification of head lice easier.
Dandruff and dirt can sometimes be mistaken for head lice. Head lice can also be difficult to see, even when the head is closely inspected.

Unhitched eggs or nits (empty eggshells) alone are not enough to diagnose an active head lice infestation. This is because it can be difficult to differentiate between eggs and nits that are dead or alive. Nits also usually remain glued to hairs long after successful treatment. To confirm an active head lice infestation, a louse ought to be determined by a reliable, accurate method, such as detection combing. Detection combing is the best method of finding head lice. It involves utilising a special first-class-toothed head lice comb with a tooth spacing of 0.2-zero.3mm to brush the hair.

Are head lice dangerous?

Head lice are not dangerous. They don’t spread disease. However, they are contagious so, they can spread from individual to individual easily. They are also annoying: louse bites can itch. If someone scratches a lot, it is going to lead to skin irritation and even infection. A head louse can live up to 4 weeks on a person’s head and lay 10 eggs a day. Since that louse can multiply fast, it’s a good thought to deal with head lice quickly.

What are the symptoms?

You may not be aware of a lice infestation. However, common signs and symptoms can comprise:

• Itching. Itching on the scalp, neck and ears is the most common symptom. This is an allergic reaction to louse saliva. When an individual has an infestation for the first time, itching may not arise for 2 to 6 weeks after infestation.
• Lice on a scalp. Lice could also be seen visible but very difficult to spot because they’re small, avoid light and move quickly.
• Lice eggs (nits) on hair shafts. Nits follow hair shafts. Incubating nits could also be complicated to see considering they’re very tiny and camouflaged to hair colour.

They are easiest to identify around the ears and the hairline of the neck. Empty nits are also easier to spot due to the fact they may be lighter in colour and further from the scalp. Nevertheless, the presence of nits doesn’t always indicate an active infestation.

What are the causes?

Head lice are contagious. You can become infected with head lice when the bugs crawl onto your head.

Ways you might get head lice include:

• Touching your head to an infected person’s head
• Sharing the private objects (e.g., comb) of someone with head lice
• Making use of a material item after an infected person

Lice can also be transferred through brushes, combs, barrettes, headbands, headphones, and hats. They can also live for a time on upholstered furniture, bedding, towels, or clothing.

What can I do to prevent it? Stop sharing:

• Combs and brushes
• Hair clips and accessories
• Hats and bike helmets
• Scarves and coats
• Towels
• Headsets and ear buds

Do head lice carry or transmit any disease?

While many have thought head lice to be only a nuisance, recently scientific shows that head lice are the same species as body louse which has long been associated with diseases such as typhus and relapsing fever. Disorder transmission from head louse must not be underestimated.

How do head lice spread?

Head lice can pass from person to person when they share personal items such as combs, towels, clothing, hats, and hairbrushes. Lice aren’t spread with the aid of dogs, cats, or different pets. Due to the fact lice can’t jump or fly, they crawl from one person to another, making use of their claws to seize onto hair.

How to treat them?

Head lice can mainly be effectively treated with lotions or sprays designed to kill head lice, or using wet combing, using a notably designed head lice comb. Wet combing can be utilised without lotions or sprays, but it needs to be done regularly and may take a very long time to do thoroughly. Lotions or sprays can be used alternatively. However, to be totally effective they must be applied correctly and thoroughly.

How long do I have to worry about re-infestation?

It’s difficult to prevent a head lice infestation because head lice are spread via head-to-head contact. Regular detection combing – for example, on a weekly basis – is the best option to find new lice quickly. Lotions and sprays don’t prevent head lice infestations and should only be used if a live louse has been found on you, or on your child’s head.

Children at school and in childcare settings are going to play, and their play may lead to the spread of head lice. However, you can take steps to hinder the spread of lice amongst children and adults. To reduce the chance of you or your child contracting head lice, begin by not sharing items that touch the head. Though it may be tempting to share personal belongings especially for children, doing so can lead to the spread of head lice.