Head Lice
Head Lice
Lice are tiny insects, about the size of a sesame seed. They live in your hair and bite your scalp when they are looking for food. They lay eggs on the hair shaft near the scalp, so that their hatchlings can go directly to the scalp for their first meal. They do not carry disease, but can cause itching and skin irritation that will be uncomfortable.
Children get head lice when they come in close contact with another child who has them. They are spread by sharing combs, brushes, pillows, or articles of clothing. Taking baths and shampooing hair will not kill head lice. So it doesn't matter if you're clean or dirty. Head lice don't care. They are just looking for a place to live and plenty of food to eat. Their food is human blood. Lice cannot jump or fly. Lice crawl from person to person on furniture, carpets, bedding or stuffed toys. Lice can live as long as 30 days while feeding on blood every 3-6 hours, and laying 50-150 eggs. The eggs hatch in 4-7 days and become adults in 2 weeks.
Treatment for head lice can be found in any grocery or pharmacy. Several products are available, but the most important part of treatment is combing all of the eggs (nits) out of the hair. Because the eggs are cemented to the hair shaft by a chemical released from the louse, they will not fall out of the hair. They must be combed out using a fine toothed comb. If any nits remain in the hair, they will continue to hatch and begin the cycle all over again. Most products specifically created to treat head lice will recommend a second treatment in order to kill the nits. Follow the directions on the package, step-by-step. Not doing so, can be the reason why treatment doesn't work.
Check your child's hair from time to time making sure the problem has not returned. Early detection can reduce the number of treatments, saving time and money. Launder clothing and bedding in hot water (at least 130 degrees). Dry cleaning also kills lice and their nits. Seal stuffed toys, pillows, blankets or other soft items for 2 weeks in tightly closed plastic bags. Vacuum carpets, curtains and furniture. Soak combs and brushes for 1 hour in lice shampoo or soak them 5-10 minutes in a pan of 130 degree water. Do not use old-fashion remedies! They do not work. If you have any concerns or questions, please consult your doctor or call me for more information.
Children get head lice when they come in close contact with another child who has them. They are spread by sharing combs, brushes, pillows, or articles of clothing. Taking baths and shampooing hair will not kill head lice. So it doesn't matter if you're clean or dirty. Head lice don't care. They are just looking for a place to live and plenty of food to eat. Their food is human blood. Lice cannot jump or fly. Lice crawl from person to person on furniture, carpets, bedding or stuffed toys. Lice can live as long as 30 days while feeding on blood every 3-6 hours, and laying 50-150 eggs. The eggs hatch in 4-7 days and become adults in 2 weeks.
Treatment for head lice can be found in any grocery or pharmacy. Several products are available, but the most important part of treatment is combing all of the eggs (nits) out of the hair. Because the eggs are cemented to the hair shaft by a chemical released from the louse, they will not fall out of the hair. They must be combed out using a fine toothed comb. If any nits remain in the hair, they will continue to hatch and begin the cycle all over again. Most products specifically created to treat head lice will recommend a second treatment in order to kill the nits. Follow the directions on the package, step-by-step. Not doing so, can be the reason why treatment doesn't work.
Check your child's hair from time to time making sure the problem has not returned. Early detection can reduce the number of treatments, saving time and money. Launder clothing and bedding in hot water (at least 130 degrees). Dry cleaning also kills lice and their nits. Seal stuffed toys, pillows, blankets or other soft items for 2 weeks in tightly closed plastic bags. Vacuum carpets, curtains and furniture. Soak combs and brushes for 1 hour in lice shampoo or soak them 5-10 minutes in a pan of 130 degree water. Do not use old-fashion remedies! They do not work. If you have any concerns or questions, please consult your doctor or call me for more information.