What you need to know about Lice

 

Usually, lice are very tiny wingless insects which can feed on human blood. Lice can spread from person to person by the way of close contact and by sharing other belongings.

Types of lice:

• Head lice - this can be found on the scalp. They are usually seen at the nape of neck and over the years.

• Body lice - This can live in clothes and beds which slowly move onto the skin to feed. Mostly body lice affect the people who are not able to bathe or wash clothes often like homeless people and long-term patients

• Pubic lice,- this type of lice also called crabs, which can occur on the skin and hair of the pubic area. But in some little period of time, usually they can be found on coarse body hairs like chest hair, eyebrows or eyelashes.

Unless you treat them properly with prompt attempt, it can become a recurring problem

Symptoms

Most of the people with lice have no symptoms. It is hard to diagnose the head lice based on symptoms only, hence the only symptom of lice is the presence of lice.

If you experiencing the following symptoms, it is time to check the scalp:

• More of itching of head or scalp

• In some places of scalp,redness or inflammation appear or near the headline

• Because of scratching the scalp, tiny red bumps or sores develop

• tiny red bumps or sores because of scratching the scalp

• Facing difficulty in sleeping or concentrating on head itching

Dandruff, some other scalp infections and dry skin can also cause similar symptoms of head lice. Because dandruff develops flakes on the scalp that may be mistaken for lice nits.

Causes

Lice can be spread only by having direct contact with someone who has them. They do not appear spontaneously and they are not because of poor hygiene.

Lice cannot hop or fly that means the contact has to be close. Because every young child spends most of their time with other childrens with lice and they are also eager to share new things which leads to getting lice more than adults. Parents of those young children are vulnerable.

Lice can spread through:

• If you hugging or nuzzling someone with lice

• sleeping next to someone with lice problems, with their head or hair by having direct contact

• If you share the brushes or combs with someone who has lice, especially immediately after someone with lice uses them

• By sharing personal towels

Diagnosis

During an examination, healthcare professionals may use a magnifying glass lens to look for lice presence. The physician can also use a special light called Wood's light which helps to check for nits. This wood’s light helps to spot the nits easily by making them look pale blue.

Treatment for lice

Usually, Lice treatment is pretty straightforward. Over the counter shampoo will kill the lice and their eggs. People should always follow the procedure of instructions.

Using shampoo

In some cases, Shampoo will need to stay on the scalp a day or two  to work on the scalp, so that hair should not be washed immediately after the treatment. Most of the shampoo requires a second treatment after the 7-9 days of initial application.

People must read the instructions carefully to ensure that they can understand and follow them.

Checking the scalp

People should check the scalp, after waiting a day or two. If the lice are still present and active they may be resistant to treatment.

People should follow the treatment package instructions for a second treatment or you have to contact a doctor to get a suggestion for a second treatment.

Combing the hair

The first step is to remove all the eggs which helps to prevent further outbreaks of lice. In most cases, lice treatment requires a thorough combing of hair which removes the eggs.

Even if you succeed in killing all the grown lice, but it is very crucial to remove all the nits, that eggs will hatch into nymphs which grow as adults by feeding on human blood.

Removing eggs may need to follow several days of treatment.

Being careful with sensitive scalps

If people already have any allergies, other scalp infections or an injured scalp, it may not be safe to use for lice treatment. You must talk to a provider before using a lice shampoo.

Treating challenging infestations

In some people, removing lice proves more challenging because of :

• the extent of the infection

• Arising re-infestation which can be thanks to a school or workplace people with a lice problem

• Some lice that are resistant to lice shampoo

When this resistant happens to your head lice they you have out aggressive approach which includes:

• Frequent washing with a lice shampoo

• Try to removal of nits

• Must consult with a doctor

Some of the trained people specialize in lice removal.

Prevention of lice

Parents often struggle to get their young children to follow or practise basic hygiene habits like washing hands. So you ask them to reduce the risk of spreading lice.

Some of the strategies that can help to reduce the risk which includes:

• You must not share your headgear, brushes, or combs, or you have to wash these items before donating or sharing with others

• You must ensure that each family member has a personal pillow or pillowcase

• You must clean or dispose of items that a person with lice has used

• You have to urge your children to follow the distance with their friends by  not rubbing heads or sleeping in close quarters

• You must keep your children with lice home until the infection has been cleared.

In families, even one member has lice are more vulnerable to further infestation for others. You have to check all of your family members for lice presence and treat as needed.

Some other strategies that prevent lice from spreading to other family members which includes:

• You must replace all used combs and brushes

• You have to wash all the clothes, hats, and scarves before you wearing them again

• Make sure that you replace pillows and pillowcases used by the person with lice

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How can I kill my lice?

Ans: Washing, soaking, or drying items at a temperature greater than 130°F can kill both head lice and nits.

Q2. What is lice caused by?

Ans: Head lice are spread most commonly by direct contact with the hair of an infested person.

Q3. Does coconut oil kill lice?

Ans: Although coconut oil may kill lice, it can't completely kill the nits that lice lay in your hair.

Q4. What smells do lice hate?

Ans: Coconut, tea tree oil, lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, lemon grass, and peppermint are scents popularly believed to repel lice.

Q5. Can lice bite your body?

Ans: Lice are parasites that live on the skin. Most are harmless to overall health, but they cause tiny bites, which can be bothersome.