Where is Head Lice Most Commonly Found?
People can get head lice by sharing bedding, clothing, and accessories with an infested person. Lice live on the scalp and feed on shed hairs called nits. The nits can be difficult to remove. There are various symptoms, such as itching, tickling, and difficulty sleeping.
The most obvious symptom of head lice infestation is intense itching. Luckily, head lice do not cause any serious medical problems and rarely transmit disease. Additionally, lice are not a sign of poor hygiene or low social status. They simply cause a lot of discomfort and itching for the infected person.
During the outbreak, parents should check their children for lice. It is important to treat any nits that are close to the scalp. Using pediculocides or topical treatments to kill the lice is an effective way to prevent the spread of the disease. Also, it is important to keep personal items such as hats and stuffed animals away from other people. In addition, long hair should be kept in a ponytail, bun, or braid to prevent direct contact with infested heads.
Lice come in three different forms: adult lice, nits, and nymphs. Adult lice are about the size of a sesame seed and are grayish white in color. They lay eggs in the base of hair shafts near the scalp. It takes about a week for them to hatch and feed off the blood of their host. Lice live on the scalp for up to two days, so it’s important to keep your child’s head clean.