How Big Does Head Lice Get?
WouterHead lice are small, grayish-white insects that have oval heads and flattened bodies. They can be anywhere from one-tenth to one-eighth of an inch in length. Several different species of lice feed on humans. Some are head louse while others are called body or pubic lice. They are easily spread from one person to another through direct head-to-head contact.
The best way to avoid getting head lice is to keep your hair clean at all times. Lice are active at night and thrive in a dark environment. However, they can live on both dirty and clean hair. They are spread by head-to-head contact and by sharing personal items with infested people. Although head lice can infect people, they are not dangerous or suggest poor hygiene. It is important to keep your hair clean at all times, especially when sharing beds and blankets.
The best way to prevent head lice from spreading is to keep your child’s hair and other personal items clean. It is important to treat head lice right away after you notice an infestation, because the lice do not survive off the scalp for more than a day. Also, try not to share combs and hats with your child, since the lice can be spread from head to head.
Lice can be treated by using a variety of over-the-counter solutions. Several of these remedies are highly effective and have a high cure rate. However, if your child has an outbreak, you should consult a health professional or go to a lice treatment center. If your child is in school, you should also notify their teacher and principal. The principal or teacher should also check the other children in the class. The other children may have caught the lice from another source. Also, you can send a letter to the affected child’s family to let them know about the infestation.
