Can Head Lice Be Dangerous?
WouterOne question that parents may ask is, “Can head lice be dangerous?”. This condition affects the hair and skin and is spread by personal contact with an infested person. The lice will cling to hair, clothing, and other items and can spread from person to person. It is important to keep personal items separate from other people and to wash them separately. If the infestation is left untreated, it will continue to grow and may eventually cause severe infection.
Live lice are difficult to find because they stay out of the light. But the lice eggs (nits) are not difficult to see. They look like small white or yellow specks and are attached to hair close to the scalp. The best places to look for them are the nape of the neck and hairline. Nits may be confused with dandruff, but they are not as easy to remove.
A good way to tell if your child has head lice is to check their hair with a fine-toothed comb. These critters can live up to 24 hours off of a human scalp. If you find an infestation, it’s best to take the child home to get treatment.
Untreated head lice can cause an infection and damage the scalp. They can even cause odor and sleep disruption. You can lose your hair if you don’t treat the problem early. You might also experience itching, which can result in damage to your hair and scalp. Head lice can also cause you to feel lousy, which is a result of the parasites feeding on blood. You may even experience flu-like symptoms.
