Head lice can cause an itchy scalp, but so can other skin conditions, such as dandruff, eczema, or even allergies to shampoo and other hair products. This slows the lice down and makes them easier to spot. Get a comb for finding lice here.
You may be unsure if you see dirt or lice and nits. Lice and nits are often difficult to comb out, while you can easily remove dirt. Head lice are contagious. You should take precautions to avoid catching or sharing them.
Launder clothes and sheets regularly. If you think you may have a lice infestation at home, vacuum the floor and furniture, and then cover furniture for two weeks with a plastic drop cloth.
You can ask your child to avoid head-to-head contact with other kids during playtime. Avoiding shared spaces for clothing and hats, such as closets and lockers, may also help prevent the spread of lice. However, even with good hygiene practices, your child may still develop lice. If so, the best way to treat symptoms is through medications that your doctor can prescribe or recommend. You can treat lice with some over-the-counter OTC products , as well as prescription medications.
You can purchase OTC shampoos that contain ingredients that treat lice, such as pyrethrin or permethrin. They can identify whether or not you have lice. If a child has lice, a parent or caregiver should notify the school or daycare. Other signs and symptoms can include:. These symptoms can point to a range of issues, so it is important to confirm the presence of lice before starting treatment. The best place to look for live lice is on the scalp behind the ears.
If the lice do not seem to be living, a person may not have an active infestation. Many effective medications can eradicate lice. A doctor or pharmacist can help a person to choose the best method of treatment. Standard treatments include over-the-counter OTC liquids, shampoos, and lotions called pediculicides. These products contain medication that kills the lice.
The packaging will include instructions about how long to leave the product on the hair, and it is important to follow these guidelines. After 12 hours, a person can use a very fine comb, known as a nit comb, to remove the dead eggs and lice.
To do this, part the hair into sections. Comb from the roots of the hair to the tips, until all the lice are gone. In some cases, prescription treatments are necessary. These medications, such as spinosad or malathion, are much stronger than OTC varieties. Doctors only recommend them when OTC methods have not worked.
Lice are not harmful, but they are highly contagious and can be uncomfortable. If a person has symptoms of lice or notices these in a child, they should seek treatment. What you may assume to be dandruff, acne, or insect bites may later evolve into a full-blown lice infestation.
By this stage, others may be affected. If you suspect that you or your child has lice, call your healthcare provider. While there are numerous over-the-counter lotions, mousses, and shampoos available to treat lice infestations, some products may be less effective for certain types of infestations.
There is evidence that certain subspecies of lice may be developing resistance to drugs commonly used to treat infestations, including pyrethrin found in products like Rid and Triple-X. Moreover, the treatments that work for head or body lice may not work for pubic lice or vice versa.
As distressing as it can be to hear that you or your child has lice, infestations are readily treatable. If using an over-the-counter lice killer pediculicide , follow the instructions carefully and use a lice comb to remove any eggs attached to hair follicles. Clothing, bedding, and towels used by an affected person should be laundered in hot water at least degrees F and machine dried using the hot cycle.
Clothing and items that are not washable can be drycleaned or sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks. If you have lice and are too embarrassed to speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist, consider using a telehealth practitioner who can ensure you get the correct treatment and may even be able to prescribe medications for you.
Adult lice will start laying eggs the moment they infest a host. Symptoms can begin when the nits start hatching into nymphs. For head lice, this can take around eight to nine days. Body lice take slightly longer, around one to two weeks, while pubic lice nits hatch in between six and 10 days. The intensity of symptoms will increase as the lice population grows. Itching is the main symptom of all lice infestations.
For head lice, the main affected area will be the scalp, while body lice can cause intense itchiness around the groin, waistline, and upper thighs. As per their name, pubic lice "crabs" mainly affect pubic hair, causing itchiness in the genital area. Prolonged scratching can lead to sores and infection, particularly with head or body lice.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Updated November 20, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Head lice: frequently asked questions FAQs. Updated September 17, Body lice: frequently asked questions FAQs. Updated August 31, Pubic "crab" lice: frequently asked questions.
Powers J, Baldri T. Pediculosis corporis. Updated June 25, Severe iron deficiency anaemia associated with heavy lice infestation in a young woman. BMJ Case Rep. Head lice: treatment. Updated October 15, Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link.
Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. On This Page What are head lice? Who is at risk for getting head lice? What do head lice look like? Where are head lice commonly found? What are the signs and symptoms of head lice infestation? How did my child get head lice? How is a head lice infestation diagnosed? How is a head lice infestation treated? Is infestation with head lice reportable to health departments? Do head lice spread disease?
Can head lice be spread by sharing sports helmets and headphones? Can wigs or hair pieces spread lice? Can swimming spread lice? Actual size of the three lice forms compared to a penny. CDC Photo. Illustration of egg on a hair shaft. Nymph form. Adult louse. Adult louse claws. Tickling feeling of something moving in the hair.
Itching, caused by an allergic reaction to the bites of the head louse.
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