Physical Health Guide

The kids are now back in school, and that means they will be spreading germs and other problems like hair louse. Lice Insects are very tiny but can be seen by the human eye.

Usually, however, it is their eggs, called ‘nits’ that people see first. These look like tiny yellow, tan, or brown sacks before they hatch. Lice lay nits on hair shafts near the scalp, where the temperature is perfect for keeping warm until they hatch. Nits appear a lot like dandruff, only they can’t be removed by brushing or shaking them off. Unless the infestation is heavy, it’s more common to see nits in a child’s hair than it is to see live lice crawling on the scalp. The eggs hatch about every 2 weeks, starting a new wave of infestation.

Adult and Hatched Lice

The adult louse is very tiny and is brown-tan in color. Nymphs, which are newly hatched, become fully grown about a week after hatching. Most lice feed on blood about every 4 to 6 hours, but they can survive up to 3 days off the scalp. This is why they spread so readily.

Hair Lice and Scratching

With lice bites comes itching and scratching which can become severe. However, the itching may not always start right away – that depends on how sensitive your child’s skin is to the lice. It can sometimes take weeks for kids with lice to notice the discomfort, meaning the infestation will become more severe. They may complain, though, of things moving around on or tickling their heads as they can feel the lice wriggling near the scalp.

Red Bumps and Scalp Sores from Head Lice

For most children, the irritation is mild; but for others, a more bothersome rash with crusting and oozing may develop. It’s also not unusual for kids to develop some swelling of their lymph glands as a reaction to the bites. Excessive scratching can also lead to a bacterial infection (the skin would become red and tender around the bite area). If your doctor thinks this is the case, he or she may treat the infection with a topical or an oral antibiotic.

Searching For Head Lice

You may be able to see the lice or nits by parting your child’s hair into small sections and checking for lice and nits on the scalp, behind the ears, and around the back of the neck near the hairline. You may need to use a magnifying glass to assist you.
Most times, it is much easier to find the egg sacks rather than the adults.

If you suspect you or your child has contracted head lice, contact your doctor or pharmacist and ask for assistance on insecticide shampoos available over the counter or by prescription.