Things like head lice tend to trigger a universal reaction — creeping sensations, chills, and shudders. Unfortunately, children are particularly susceptible to these pests. Once the tiny creatures settle into someone’s hair, they can seem almost impossible to get rid of. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to prevent them.
Understanding Head Lice
Head lice universally evoke feelings of discomfort, such as creeps, chills, or shudders. For those unfamiliar, head lice are tiny, wingless insects that live in hair and feed on blood. Though difficult to spot due to their small size, they multiply quickly, commonly making their home on the scalp. The egg cycle lasts about 1-2 weeks, and within a few more weeks, they reach full maturity.
Lice spread through direct contact with an infested person or object, often hiding in fabrics like those of hats, jackets, couches, and pillows, as well as on hairbrushes. While head lice are parasitic and cause itching, they don’t transmit diseases. And despite what many believe, they’re not typically linked to poor hygiene. Like ticks and mosquitoes, lice are drawn to blood and are selective about where they feed.
Symptoms of Head Lice
It’s usually fairly obvious when someone has head lice, as they’ll often experience a persistently itchy scalp. However, since lice can spread rapidly, it’s important to be aware of the common signs so treatment can begin quickly.
The itching caused by lice is a result of their bites, as their saliva triggers an allergic reaction, similar to that of mosquito bites. However, not everyone will experience itching. The onset of itching varies from person to person, depending on their sensitivity to lice. For some children, it might take weeks before the itching starts, which is problematic since it doesn’t take long for the lice to go from eggs to fully grown.
In addition to itching, a rash may develop from constant scratching, potentially leading to a bacterial infection. Symptoms of this include swollen lymph nodes, redness, and skin inflammation, or even crusting and oozing.
While the itching might take a while to show up, lice eggs, or nits, can be spotted with a thorough inspection. This is best done using a fine-tooth comb on damp hair. Nits may look similar to dandruff, but unlike dandruff, they won’t easily shake or brush away. The eggs are typically yellow, tan, or brown in color. Once they hatch, the shells appear white or clear yellow.
Head Lice Life Cycle
The life cycle of head lice begins with baby lice, or nymphs, which take about 1-3 weeks to mature. Nymphs hatch at roughly the same rate. These lice feed several times a day and can survive off a host for up to two days. Adult lice, which are about the size of a sesame seed, are fully grown and can range in color from grayish-white to tan, resembling the appearance of a sesame seed.
Treatment for Head Lice
There are several methods to treat these bothersome pests, but it’s crucial to keep a few things in mind. First, never apply pesticides or harsh chemicals to your scalp—or, more importantly, to your child’s scalp. While head lice are insects, the potential harm from these strong chemicals isn’t worth the uncertain effectiveness they may have. Second, many head lice treatments contain flammable substances, making them hazardous in their own right. Therefore, it’s important to avoid using hair dryers or other hot tools while undergoing head lice treatment.
Treatment options include:
Manual Removal with a Fine-Tooth Comb
Start by using the comb on damp hair, detangling first with a wide-tooth comb to prevent any hair breakage.
Divide the hair into 1-inch sections and, using a bright light, carefully comb through the hair with the fine-tooth comb, beginning at the scalp and working your way down to the ends.
After each section, wipe the comb on a disposable cloth, like a paper towel, to remove any lice or nits. Repeat this process twice before washing the hair or applying a medicated lice treatment.
Additionally, soak the comb in water heated to at least 130°F for 10 minutes. It’s also essential to wash all soft surfaces, such as bedding, rugs, and couch cushions, at this same minimum temperature.
Over-the-Counter vs. Prescription
Another option for treatment is medication, which can include over-the-counter shampoos and conditioners, or consulting a doctor for a prescription-strength head lice treatment. Some treatments are safe for children as young as six months when prescribed by a doctor. OTC solutions typically need to stay in the hair for a few days, giving the medication time to take effect, while still using a lice comb twice a day. However, each product will have its own safety instructions, so it’s important to follow the directions closely. Not doing so could lead to potential safety risks.
Finally, the CDC suggests using lice combs 8-12 hours after starting treatment and then every 2-3 days for a few weeks. On the other hand, the American Academy of Dermatology highlights the need to keep using the lice comb for at least 7-9 days, or longer, even if the treatment appears to have worked.
It’s worth mentioning that traditional “wive’s tales,” like using mayonnaise, butter, or olive oil, may temporarily slow down head lice or make them less active. However, there is no scientific evidence to support that these methods can actually kill or remove lice. Alternatively, they might be helpful when used alongside a fine-tooth comb, especially if you prefer to save chemical treatments as a last resort.
