Are you or your loved ones dealing with the persistent menace of lice in hair? If so, you’re not alone in this unsettling battle.
Lice can infest virtually any area of the body including the pubes. Head lice are particularly menacing tiny parasitic insects feeding on the blood and found on the head, eyebrows, eyelashes of people.
Coping with head lice infestations can be a struggle, resulting in physical discomfort and cosmetic dissatisfaction. But fear not, for in this article, we’ll tell you about the hidden secrets of their life cycle and will arm you with the knowledge you need to win this unsettling war against head lice once and for all.
So, let’s dive in and banish these troublesome critters for good!
Who is At Risk to Get a Head Lice Infestation?
About 6 to 12 million head lice infestations occur in the US every year. 1
Head lice infestations are most common among school-aged children, particularly those between the ages of 3 and 11. This is often because children are in close contact with their peers, making it easier for lice to spread. Additionally, young children may not always follow personal hygiene routines, making them more susceptible.
However, infestation of lice in hair does not always mean that children are not making sure to stay clean and should not be blamed for the same. Moreover, adults who are not necessarily “dirty” can also get head lice, especially if they have close contact with children or individuals who already have lice in hair. Adults who work in environments where close contact is common, such as teachers or childcare workers, may be at a slightly higher risk.
Head lice infestation in the elderly is less frequent but still possible, especially if they are living in close quarters in nursing homes or other communal settings.
While head lice can infest people with various hair lengths, those with longer hair are more likely to have an infestation of lice in hair because of increased surface for lice to cling to and lay eggs. Although, head lice can infest individuals with short hair as well.
How to Recognize a Head Lice Infestation?
Identifying Features of Head Lice
Head lice or Pediculus humanus capitis are small parasitic insects that infest the human scalp and hair. They move by crawling and don’t jump or fly. You can typically find them at the base of hair shafts, especially around your neck and ears.
When you observe “adult” lice in hair with the help of a magnifying lens, you can identify certain features.
- 2-3 millimeters (mm) size.
- Grayish-white or tan color.
- Flattened and Elongated Body with 6 legs.
- Legs with claws at the end.
- 2 short antennae on head.
- 2 Eyes.
Female head lice deposit their eggs, called nits, on hairs 1/4 inch from the scalp which may hatch 1 to 2 weeks after they’re laid, so it may become essential to repeat the treatment after 1 week to get rid of any newly hatched lice that come out of the eggs.
The eggs are more commonly seen sticking to the hair as compared to adult lice. Although, they can be easily confused with dandruff scales but still can be differentiated by trying to pluck them off the hair. The nits are difficult to come off and appear triangular as compared to dandruff which may be more cyndrical.
Symptoms of Head Lice Infestation
Head lice are not known to directly transmit disease. The lice take blood-meals every few hours while injecting saliva into the skin as they feed. In addition, while feeding, lice may also excrete black or dark red feces onto the skin quite frequently even as they are feeding. The host may elicit an immune response against this saliva as well as the feces/poop of lice in hair which results in intense itching and sensation of “something crawling” over the head.
Although most infestations are asymptomatic, a persistent scalp itch is a common sign of head lice. Many people don’t realize they have lice in hair until they are itchy and may be constantly scratching which may cause infected scratch marks or rashes. In addition, some people may develop fever, rash, headache or enlarged lymph nodes.
People infested with head lice usually have no more than 10 to 12 live lice at a time but can have many hundreds of unhatched eggs and nits.2
How Do Head Lice Spread?
Head lice move by crawling and don’t have wings to fly or even jump. You can typically find them at the base of hair shafts, especially around your neck and ears. They are highly contagious and can spread from person to person through various means:
- Direct Head-to-Head Contact: This is the most common way of head lice transmission. When two people have their heads in close contact, such as during play, hugging, or taking group selfies, lice can crawl from one person’s hair to another’s.
- Sharing Personal Items: Head lice can also spread when people share personal items that come into contact with the hair. This includes sharing combs, brushes, hair accessories, hats, helmets, and even headphones. Lice or their eggs (nits) can cling to these items and transfer to a new host.
- Using Infested Bedding and Furniture: Lice can sometimes spread through shared bedding, pillows, or furniture items, although it is less common since lice can survive off the human scalp for a short period.
- Personal Grooming and Beauty Salons: Head lice can spread at hair salons or barbershops if they don’t follow strict hygiene practices to clean and disinfect combs, brushes, or other tools.
Effective Head Lice Treatment
1. Medications
Over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medicated products include shampoos or lotions containing Ivermectin or Permethrin which work by paralyzing and killing the lice in hair. Usually, one treatment is adequate, but a second application may be necessary to eliminate the lice in hair that hatch out of the eggs.
It is important to follow product instructions and consult a healthcare provider if needed.
Some alternatives like Malathion, Benzyl alcohol or Spinosad are not commonly used but might be chosen if the above medications are not available or have failed to work.
Alternative Treatments
Several alternative treatments, known as suffocants, may be considered if standard treatments fail or due to concerns about toxicity. These treatments aim to suffocate lice and create an inhospitable environment for them. Options include petroleum jelly (Vaseline), mayonnaise, oil (e.g., vegetable, olive, or mineral), and manual lice and nit removal.
2. Environmental Measures
Head lice cannot survive off the human body for more than two days and do not reproduce outside the body.
Any nits that fall off the head won’t hatch or reattach. While treatment focuses on infested individuals, some environmental precautions can help:3
- Wash bedding and clothing in hot water and dry them at high temperatures.
- Heat combs, brushes, and similar items in water above 130°F for 10 minutes.
- Thoroughly vacuum floors, carpets, and furniture (avoid using insecticide sprays).
- Perform cleaning on the day of the first lice treatment and when live lice are found.
3. Preventing Infestation of Lice in Hair
Parents should regularly check their children’s heads for lice throughout the year. Relying on others for checks may delay treatment. Careful examination, including behind ears and the nape of the neck, is crucial. Infestation of lice in hair can be prevented if you take these precautions:
- Avoid Head-to-Head Contact: Encourage children and adults to avoid direct head-to-head contact during play, sleepovers, or other activities where heads may come in close proximity.
- Educate About Sharing Personal Items, Clothing, and Accessories: You should not share personal items that come into contact with hair. It’s essential not to share combs, hair accessories, caps, helmets, sunglasses or headphones. In addition, lice can spread by sharing clothing and accessories, like hats and scarves.
- Launder Bedding and Personal Items: Make it a habit to regularly wash and dry bedding, pillowcases, clothing, and personal items that may come into contact with hair. Use hot temperatures for washing and drying, as this can help kill any potential lice in hair or nits.
- Use Preventive Hair Products and Lice-Repellent Sprays: Some hair products contain natural ingredients known to repel and prevent infestation of lice in hair. These products can act as a deterrent and make it less likely for infestation of lice in hair.
- Regularly Inspect Hair And Tie Up If They Are Long: Regular head checks (especially in children) can prevent a full-blown infestation of lice in hair. Look for lice eggs and adult lice during these checks according to the characteristics mentioned earlier in the article. Moreover, if you or your child has long hair, it’s a good idea to tie it up in a ponytail or bun to reduce the risk of lice transmission.
If you found this article on combatting head lice helpful, don’t keep it to yourself! Share your thoughts in the comments below and hit that like button to let us know.
References
- https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/epi.html
- Mazurek CM, Lee NP. How to manage head lice. West J Med. 2000; 172(5):342-5.
- https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/prevent.html
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