Do you suspect your child is suffering from head lice? Do you notice your child scratching his scalp frequently? Or have you heard of an outbreak of head louse at his school? You can probably find out if your child has head louse by doing an easy examination at home.
The simplest way to identify head lice is through identifying their eggs in the hair. Lice eggs are called nits. Head lice will lay these eggs on the hair shaft close to the scalp. This is why a head examination requires looking at the scalp. Before the baby lice hatch, nits look tan, brown, or yellow. Once the nit has hatched, the shell will stay attached to the hair shaft. This is the easiest thing to see, as it is whitish, looking somewhat like dandruff. The main difference between head lice eggs and dandruff is dandruff will easily shake off of the hair shaft, while lice eggs are fused to the shaft.
On occasions you will be able to identify adult head louse in your child's hair, especially if the hair is short. These little beasties are tiny, no bigger than a sesame seed from a hamburger bun, and they tend to have the exact coloring as your child's hair. Most people grasp their children are infected when they see the adults moving through their kid's hair.
Head scratching is, of course, another sign of a head lice infestation. But, not every child will find head lice to be itchy. Also, scratching their head may be a sign of other troubles, such as eczema or dandruff. The itching from lice is usually likened to a tickle, or the feeling of something moving about on the scalp.
Children who suffer from sensitive skin, and spend a lot of time scratching due to the head lice will regularly get a rash on the scalp. Head lice rash looks like red lumps at the base of the scalp. It could infrequently develop into a more serious infection that needs antibiotics.
If you suspect your child may have head lice, part his hair and check the base of the hair strands for the nits. Pay particular concern to the areas of hair around the neck and ears. If you have trouble focusing up close, you may want to use a magnifying glass. Be sure to do the lice checking in bright light. If you find nothing, but the itching continues, it is time for a trip to the doctor. On the other hand, if there is persistent scratching, and you've heard of an outbreak at school or day care, you probably can be sure that the reason is head lice.
To cure nits you can buy a medicated shampoo that will eliminate the lice. Be sure to follow the instructions to the letter, for the reason that, incorrect use will not eliminate all of the lice. You will also be required to comb through your child's hair with a nit comb to take care of any nits that are not killed by the shampoo.
When you have cured your child, wash any clothes that are lying around, as lice have the ability to live up to three days out of the hair if they are attached to clothing. Also, boil anything that comes in contact with an infected head, including combs, brushes and bows. It is particularly crucial to wash any bedding. Vacuum all furniture and floors. Then watch carefully for signs of any re-occurrence. If it occurs, start the process again. It can be hard work, but you can get rid of head lice with the proper steps.
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