How Bad Is Head Lice?

Medicated shampoos and creams are available over the counter for treating head lice. If they fail to work, a healthcare provider can prescribe stronger medicine. Before treating your child, you should thoroughly check the rest of the household for lice. The treatments can include topical or oral medications and manual removal using a lice comb.

If you suspect that your child has head lice, he or she should visit the doctor. It is important to remember that lice will only survive for a few days away from a human host. Therefore, you should not resort to harsh treatments, such as using toxic pesticides or fumigants. You should also wash your child’s clothing to prevent the spread of lice.

Head lice are tiny, grayish insects that live on the scalp. They feed on human blood and lay eggs on hair. The eggs hatch in about one to two weeks after they are laid. Another sign that you may have head lice is itching, which is caused by the lice’s saliva. In some cases, this may result in small red bumps, which you may scratch.

The best way to get rid of head lice and their eggs is to comb the hair regularly with a fine-toothed comb. Using this method, you can remove live lice as well as nits. You should make sure to comb the hair thoroughly every two or three days. You should also wash your bedding, clothes, and hair accessories in hot water to kill lice.