Head Lice Symptoms and How To Check For Lice Infestation
Every parent needs to know how to check for head lice. The most obvious head lice symptoms is an itchy scalp which is caused by saliva the louse leaves in the spot he has punctured to draw blood. Sometimes these spots can get infected and cause a crusty, red look and swollen lymph glands. If you see your child constantly scratching behind the ears or at the neckline, you should inspect their head for nits and lice. A secondary infection may develop if the child scratches with dirty hands.
It is a frustrating time for parents and there is a constant worry about how to get rid of the pests. Some scientists and doctors believe that some strains of lice have become resistant to some of the regular treatments. Others believe they do not work simply because the nits are not completely removed in the first place, or even possibly the child has been misdiagnosed with lice.
Some things you need to know when checking for head lice symptoms. Head lice are small, about the size of a sesame seed and they scurry around the head. They are fast crawlers ; they do not hop, jump, or fly. Because they move so fast, it is hard to spot them without a magnifying glass or a strong light.
Live lice are usually grey or reddish brown. If they are reddish brown they have recently fed on the host's head. Another sign of lice infestation is finding nits or lice eggs attached to a strand of hair close to the head. The nits will be close to the scalp because they need heat to hatch and they need to feed as soon as they hatch. Nits are small, oval shaped and are attached by glue like substance. They will not move easily if touched by a finger or comb.
Treatment for head lice includes using shampoos with pesticides, natural home cures, and nit removal with a special nit comb. If you decide to use a pesticide shampoo, carefully read all the label directions and precautions; visit headliceremedies.org for more information on the dangers of using pecticides. If you choose to use natural or alternative methods like Vaseline, mayonnaise, tea tree oil, or olive oil, remember that they are untested and unproved methods . These products are hard to remove from the hair with ordinary shampoos. It is much easier if you use a dishwashing liquid before the shampoo, and rinse with a conditioner.
Children can often be misdiagnosed with head lice symptoms. They may have nits that are dead and far from the scalp, or have types of hair that resemble nits at the hairline. If you are unsure if your child has head lice, check with your doctor. If you don't see any little pests running around on the scalp and the nits are far removed from the base, your child may not have an active case of head lice.
Before treating your child look at all the treatment choices and the pros and cons of each one. Pesticide shampoos can cause allergic and asthmatic reactions, and Vaseline and olive oil are hard to remove. The one step you cannot skip is the manual removal of all nits and eggs. For more information on how to kill head lice click here
See pictures of head lice at various stages of development
Correct Use of Natural Head Lice Treatments is Critical
Most of the products available,whether they are chemical or natural, require repeat treatments after 7-10 days. Many people will treat once, not see anymore lice, and don't follow up with the rest of the treatments...
Camp with Kids- Prevent Head Lice
Kids contracted Head Lice During Camp? Here are powerful and safe remedies to get rid of Head lice instantly. Browse our site to learn about natural remedies to get rid of head lice...
Get Rid of Head Lice
There are several misconceptions regarding the head lice. One of the most popular misconceptions is that they fly. On the contrary, they are small insects, which can jump or crawl. They survive on the human scalp's blood...
Children And Lice - Head Lice Remedies
Head lice are a common enough problem in kids who work and play together in school. So when the child brings a lot of work from school, he might also carry another hassle along with him which is head lice...
