What Is Head Lice

Head lice are tiny insects that live on the head and scalp of people, especially children, they feed from human blood several times a day. The size 0f lice is about 1 to 2 millimetres, which is about the size of a sesame seed and vary in colour from tan to grey/white

The life of a louse

There are 3 forms of Lice

Nits are the eggs of head lice. They are firmly attached to human hair . You can find them near the scalp .The shape of nits is oval and the size is 0.8mm by 0.3mm. They take around 6 to 9 days to hatch.

•After an egg hatches, a nymph is released. However, the nit remains attached to the hair. They nymph actually looks like an adult louse, but it is a bit smaller in size. You can find them near the scalp and behind the ears . It takes nymphs about 7 days or more to become adults.

Nymph

•Adult lice suck human blood to live and survive.• They feed about 5 times a day. •They can travel quickly and are really active. They are about as big as a pin head. •The female lice are larger in size than the male lice. When it comes to reproduction, a female louse can lay up to 8 eggs or nits per day. •They live for 30 days on a person’s head.

Adult Lice

How are Head Lice spread•Spread by head-to-head contact with another person who has head lice, e.g. when doing group work at school, playing, or hugging. •Head lice can run from one head to another in seconds. Head lice cannot fly, jump or swim, but they can sometimes ‘trapeze’ from one hair to another. •Brushes and combs are unlikely to transfer head lice •Head lice are may be can spread through bed linen, clothing or comb

Sign & Symptoms

•Tickling feeling of something moving in the hair, neck, or behind ears. •Itching that is caused by an allergic reaction to the bites of the lice. •Irritability. •Sores on the head caused by scratching.

By CHECKING THE HEAD, PREFERABLY WITH a NIT COMB, a very fine-toothed comb designed for this purpose.

How to find out if you have lice or nits?

Home Treatment •Make a very strong solution of salt dissolved in really hot water in a large white bowl or dish pan. •Soak your head for about 5 minutes, pouring the solution through your hair to get completely soaked. • Wash your hair with shampoo, rinse with a 1/2 white vinegar 1/2 water mixture and pour through the hair. •Apply conditioner and leave it in. •Put on a shower cap or use plastic wrap and leave on at least an hour. •Comb through your hair with a lice comb •After you have combed every inch of your hair, wash with your regular shampoo with a few drops of oil of peppermint added. Condition as usual and towel dry. Comb out with a wide toothed comb and dry with a hair dryer set on hot. Repeat in 7 days.

How to prevent head lice

• Keep long hair tied back.• Remind children:

To avoid head-to-head contact.Avoid sharing the personal comb

• Parents should check the child’s head regularly. Regular checking and treatment of those who have head lice can prevent it from spreading.

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