Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Does Your Child Have Headlice

By Jennifer King

Do you suspect your child is suffering from head lice? Do you notice your child scratching his scalp frequently? Or have you heard of an outbreak of head louse at his school? You can probably find out if your child has head louse by doing an easy examination at home.

The simplest way to identify head lice is through identifying their eggs in the hair. Lice eggs are called nits. Head lice will lay these eggs on the hair shaft close to the scalp. This is why a head examination requires looking at the scalp. Before the baby lice hatch, nits look tan, brown, or yellow. Once the nit has hatched, the shell will stay attached to the hair shaft. This is the easiest thing to see, as it is whitish, looking somewhat like dandruff. The main difference between head lice eggs and dandruff is dandruff will easily shake off of the hair shaft, while lice eggs are fused to the shaft.

Sometimes you will be able to notice adult head louse in your child's hair, particularly if the hair is short. These little beasties are small, the same size as a sesame seed that you get on a hamburger bun, and they tend to have the exact coloring as your child's hair. A lot of people understand that their kids are infected the moment they see the adult lice clambering through their child's hair.

Head scratching is, of course, another sign of a head lice infestation. But, not every child will find head lice to be itchy. Also, scratching their head may be a sign of other troubles, such as eczema or dandruff. The itching from lice is usually likened to a tickle, or the feeling of something moving about on the scalp.

Children who suffer from sensitive skin, and spend a lot of time scratching due to the head lice will regularly get a rash on the scalp. Head lice rash looks like red lumps at the base of the scalp. It could infrequently develop into a more serious infection that needs antibiotics.

If you have a suspision your child might have head lice, part his hair and observe the base of the hair shaft for the nits. Pay particular attention to the areas of hair around the neck and ears. If you find it a struggle to focus up close, you might want to try a magnifying glass. Be sure to do the lice checking in bright light. If you can't see anything, but the itching continues, it is time for a trip to the doctor. On the other hand, if there is persistent scratching, and you have heard of an outbreak at school or day care, you possibly can be certain that the reason is head lice.

To cure nits you can buy a medicated shampoo that will eliminate the lice. Be sure to follow the instructions to the letter, for the reason that, incorrect use will not eliminate all of the lice. You will also be required to comb through your child's hair with a nit comb to take care of any nits that are not killed by the shampoo.

When you have cured your child, wash any clothes that are lying around, as lice have the ability to live up to three days out of the hair if they are attached to clothing. Also, boil anything that comes in contact with an infected head, including combs, brushes and bows. It is particularly crucial to wash any bedding. Vacuum all furniture and floors. Then watch carefully for signs of any re-occurrence. If it occurs, start the process again. It can be hard work, but you can get rid of head lice with the proper steps.

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