Head Lice
Head lice, contrary to popular belief, are not attracted to people or children with poor personal hygiene. They also don’t carry diseases. Anyone can get head lice, although infestations are more common in children.
Symptoms of Head Lice
The most common head lice symptoms include the following:
- Difficulty sleeping (lice are nocturnal insects)
- Intensely itchy scalp
- Small scalp sores from scratching
- Nits or lice eggs in the hair
- The feeling of something moving in the hair or over the scalp
Causes of Head Lice Infestation
Head lice infestation typically happens via head-to-head contact with someone who already has lice. This can happen while playing, hugging, or sharing a bed. Lice can’t jump or fly, which means they crawl from one person to another. Infestations are also not caused by pets since lice only feed on human blood.
Diagnosing a Head Lice Infestation
Head lice aren’t always easy to spot, but a fine-toothed comb can help make them visible in parted hair. Nits cling to hair shafts, while adult lice crawl over the scalp and avoid bright light. It is not necessary to visit a doctor for a mild infestation. But if scratching causes scalp sores, a medical opinion will shed light on how to prevent infection.
Treating a Head Lice Infestation
Treating head lice infestation usually requires a 1% permethrin shampoo. This will kill adult lice and help rid the hair of nits. If the shampoo doesn’t work, prescription medications may help. It is essential to comb wet hair with a fine-toothed comb to remove remaining lice and nits. Do this in conjunction with medication for the best results. Check the hair every three days to ensure the lice and nits are gone.
Preventing Head Lice
Preventing head lice includes avoiding head-to-head contact. It also requires not sharing personal items like hats, scarves, and hair accessories. School-going children must have regular hair checks to spot lice and nits to prevent a full-blown infestation.
Visit UF Health Central Emergency & Urgent Care for Head Lice Treatment
UF Health Central Emergency & Urgent Care is here to meet your medical care needs by providing affordable pricing and quality care. As part of Intuitive Health’s innovative hybrid model ER and urgent care system, patients are only billed for the level of care they receive from professional and highly trained medical staff.
Our Emergency & Urgent Care Centers are open 24/7 to treat head lice.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/head-lice
https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/150/4/e2022059282/189566/Head-Lice
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/head-lice-infestation
