Head lice also known as head-louse infestation or nits is usually found in children between the ages of 3-10 but can also be found in the scalps of adults.  Females are more prone to get head lice with comparison to men.

Forms of Head Lice
Following are three forms of head lice:

Nit: Nits are tiny head lice eggs and are often confused for dandruff. They are usually yellow to white and oval in shape. Nits are 0.8mm by 0.3mm in size. They are strongly attached to the hair shaft. Nits take one week to hatch.

Nymph: The nit hatches into a nymph. Nymphs are young lice. They are smaller in size and can move quickly. They are yellow to rust colored. Nymphs mature into adults about 7 days after hatching. They live by sucking blood from the scalp. Nymphs are commonly found behind the ears and at the neckline.

Adult:  The adult louse is 2-4 mm long with six legs. Adult lice can live up to thirty days on individual’s head. To live, adult lice suck blood from scalp. The color of adult lice is rust.

It is very easily transferrable, just the simple contact of heads or sharing of pillows may lead to it being transferred from one scalp to another.  It is a medical condition caused by the colonization of the hair and skin by the parasitic insect Pediculus humanus capitis.   Most often head lice will be found only in the scalp area however in rare cases it may also be found in other hairy areas of the human body.  The source of food for head lice is human blood and they usually feed once or twice in a day by piercing the skin with their tiny needle like mouthparts. One main symptom of head lice is a lot of itching in the infested area such as the scalp.

Excessive scratching of the infested area could cause sores, which eventually could become infected.  It must be noted that head lice cannot be considered a disease but actually a condition or a cosmetic problem for the carrier.  There are hundreds of millions of cases of head lice each year and still there is no method or product that could assure 100% destruction of the eggs and hatched lice after a single treatment.  However, there are a number of different treatments one may adopt in order to get rid of these little microscopic pests such as, chemical treatments, combs, shaving, natural products, hot air and last but not the least silicone based lotions.

The most common treatment of head lice is using medicated shampoos, cream rinses, and nit combs.  Lastly, it should be noted that some lice have become immune to some but not all insecticides used in commercially available products, therefore it would be most appropriate to have a physician or pharmacist prescribe or recommend a treatment.

The head lice are a tiny and wingless insect, which infects children’s scalp, ages 3 to 12 years. The head lice lives on scalp of victims and feeds itself on blood, drawn from the scalp, several times a day, in minor quantity. The head lice are tiny but can be seen by the naked eye or seen by the use of a magnifying glass. The lice lay their eggs (nits) on hairs of scalp. The eggs of lice resemble dandruff and hatch in 1 to 2 weeks. The head lice are a contagious and an annoying disease. The children complain of tickling sensation and itching on their heads. The bites of head lice cause irritation on child’s scalp, which becomes itchy and repeated scratching by child causes inflammation of scalp and then development of skin infection. In worst cases, the regional lymph glands are swollen and painful. If you observe that your child is constantly scratching his or her head or complains of an itching scalp then you can consult your doctor. The doctor will diagnose the problem and will recommend necessary treatment.

Preventive Measures:

The head lice spread mainly by head-to-head contact, sharing of clothing, bed linens, combs, brushes, and hats. If a child gets head lice infestation, then take under mentioned steps to get rid of lice and its re-infestation. Washing of all bed covers and clothing, that has been used by anyone having head lice infestation, in boiling water for at least half an hour. Clean the combs, hair ties, bands, headbands and brushes with alcohol or medicated  shampoo. Since head lice are passed from person to person in the same house, bedmates and infested family members will also need treatment to prevent the lice from coming back. The head lice can be prevented by telling kids to avoid head to head contact with other children at school and during play, not to share combs, brushes, hats, scarves, bands, ribbons, hair ties or bands, towels, helmets, or other personal care items with anyone else, not to lie on bedding, pillows, and carpets that have recently been used by someone having head lice.

Treatment:

Your doctor will give necessary medications to treat the kid. Follow his advice carefully. Reassure the kid that having head lice doesn’t mean that he is dirty. This reassurance by parents can help their children to be a victim of guilt. The parents should be aware of the fact that most of medicines required to treat the head lice are insecticides and they should not start medication, if their child in under two years of age.