What Does Head Lice Do?

If you think your child might have head lice, there are ways to prevent them. You can keep your child home from school or daycare until the problem is treated, and try to limit the amount of contact your child has with other kids. You can also use nit combs to remove the lice.

First, you should wash your child’s clothing in hot water and dry it on a high heat. Then, put the clothing into a plastic bag and store it in a cool place for at least two weeks. You should also dry clean or dry-clean all items worn by your child. In addition, do not use pesticides on your child’s bedding or clothing, as these may expose your whole family to toxic chemicals. If you are unsure of the proper way to treat head lice, make sure to consult your doctor or dermatologist.

It is important to treat head lice as soon as you notice them. If they have been present for a long time, it may be time to seek medical attention. Fortunately, head lice can be treated with nonprescription medications. However, you must avoid head-to-head contact until the infection is gone. You can also try sharing personal hygiene products with others.

Lice are tiny insects with wingless bodies that are usually about the size of a sesame seed. They feed on small amounts of blood on the scalp and cannot live without a blood meal. Lice lay eggs on the scalp and in a few days, these nymphs develop into adults. The entire life cycle is repeated every three weeks. Usually, head lice live on children but can also infect adults.