As our youngsters head back-to-school, in addition they head again into shut contact with different youngsters. This implies a rise in publicity to infections, together with lice. Nobody needs their child to get head lice, and we DEFINITELY don’t need them bringing it house to their mother and father and siblings. What can we do as mother and father to stop head lice, and if our little one is unlucky sufficient to get head lice, what remedy choices are there?

What are head lice?

Head lice (singular: louse) are tiny bugs the scale of a sesame seed. They’re sometimes pale gray however might be any coloration. They feed on small quantities of blood from the scalp and can’t survive for greater than at some point with no blood meal. Head lice stay for 28 days, and their life cycle has three phases: egg or nit (hatches inside 7-12 days), Nymph (appears to be like like an grownup louse however is smaller—in regards to the dimension of a pinhead), and grownup louse. A feminine louse can lay as much as 10 eggs per day. Lice lay their eggs near the scalp, and the eggs are oval and in regards to the dimension of a knot of thread. They maintain onto the hair floor with a sticky substance. Eggs can mix in with hair coloration and be confused for dandruff or hairspray.

A standard thought is that lice are present in heads/hair which can be soiled, however in reality, lice can equally infect hair that’s clear or soiled. Lice are discovered worldwide in all components of the nation and cities. No kind of particular person is extra more likely to get head lice. And lice are quite common in school-aged youngsters. Annually, hundreds of thousands of youngsters get head lice.

How do head lice unfold?

Lice don’t soar, hop, or fly; they solely crawl. The commonest means they unfold is from shut, extended, head-to-head contact. There’s a very small probability they are going to unfold by sharing objects reminiscent of combs, brushes, hats, and sports activities helmets.

What are head lice signs?

The commonest symptom of head lice is itching on the scalp. Nevertheless, it might take 4-6 weeks after lice are on the scalp for itching to begin. Most itching occurs behind the ears and behind the neck. The itching might proceed even after the lice are gone.

How can we verify our youngsters for head lice?

Common checks are good to identify lice earlier than they multiply into massive numbers. To verify, seat your little one in a brightly lit room and half their hair. Search for crawling lice and nits on the scalp one part at a time. Reside lice are laborious to seek out as a result of they keep away from gentle and transfer shortly. Nits seem like small yellow or brown specks and firmly connect to the hair close to the scalp. The best place to seek out them is on the hairline close to the again of the neck or ears. Nits shall be firmly hooked up to hair, whereas dandruff is just not. Use a fine-toothed comb reminiscent of a lice or nit comb to comb by every part.

What do you do in case your little one has head lice?

First, discuss to your little one’s physician earlier than beginning any remedy for head lice. And DO NOT attempt any house treatments reminiscent of gasoline or kerosene. Different house treatments reminiscent of olive oil, mayonnaise, margarine, or important oils have additionally been proven to be ineffective. Efficient lice medicines are available on the market; nonetheless, communicate to your little one’s physician earlier than beginning these. They embody 1% Permethrin lotion, Pyrethrin shampoo, and Ivermectin lotion, all out there with no prescription. These kill lice however not the eggs so it’s possible you’ll want to make use of them a number of instances.

Additionally out there with a prescription is Malathion lotion, which kills lice and eggs. It additionally might require a number of functions. It’s only permitted for youngsters six years and older, has a powerful odor, and is flammable. Additionally out there with a prescription is Spinosad topical suspension, which is permitted for youngsters six months and older and kills lice and lice eggs. Ivermectin tablets are additionally out there with a prescription, however it’s best to solely use them when different remedies have failed.

In case your little one has head lice, it’s best to wash their garments and linens in scorching water whereas treating them and verify different family contacts for head lice. Additionally essential to notice is that the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Nationwide Affiliation of Faculty Nurses don’t help “no nit” insurance policies at faculties, stating that youngsters with nits usually are not allowed again in class. In case your little one’s faculty enforces this, it’s possible you’ll wish to communicate to your little one’s pediatrician.

Hopefully, all of our youngsters could have a lice-free faculty yr! But when lice do enter your private home, now we have methods to assist! On the lookout for extra back-to-school suggestions? Take a look at our current articles on annual and sports activities physicals, in addition to a glance into whether or not or not it’s best to take into account a coronary heart display in your teenage athlete.

Need assistance discovering a pediatrician? We’re right here to assist! Be taught extra about what elements to think about when selecting a pediatrician.