head louse
A head louse is a small insect that feeds on blood from the scalp Head lice mainly affects children and is caused by the transfer of the parasite from one person's hair to another person's hair.
The appearance of lice is not an indication of poor hygiene or an unclean environment. Lice are not carriers of bacterial and viral infections
There are many medications available to treat head lice It is necessary to carefully read and follow the instructions in order to get rid of lice and their eggs
Many people treat themselves with natural methods, although their effectiveness has not been proven by research
A head louse is a brownish insect about the size of a strawberry seed It feeds on blood drawn from the scalp The female louse produces a sticky substance that helps the eggs stick to the hair shaft The egg hardens about 4 centimeters from the hair shaft, providing an ideal environment for the egg to incubate
Lice Life Cycle Lice eggs hatch after 8 or 9 days At this time, the immature form of the louse, the worm, emerges from the egg The caterpillar becomes an adult louse after 9-12 days An adult louse lives for 3-4 weeks
Distribution The head louse can crawl, but not jump or fly. Most often, lice are transmitted from one person to another through direct contact Therefore, the risk of procrastination is greater in families or children who have close contact with each other at school or at play
There is evidence that brushing hair with static electricity can spread mites through the air a short distance.
Indirect transmission is rare, although lice can spread from one person to another through the following items:
- Hats and scarves
- Comb
- Hair accessories
- Earphones
- Pillows
For example, hats or scarves hanging on the same hanger can become a way for lice to spread.
You may not be aware of lice, but common signs and symptoms include:
- Itching Itching of the scalp, neck and ears is the most common symptom This is an allergic reaction to the saliva of lice When lice appear for the first time, a person may not itch for 2-6 weeks
- Lice on the scalp Lice can be spotted, although it is often difficult to spot because lice are small, avoid light, and move very quickly.
- Lice eggs on the hair shaft The eggs attach to the hair shaft During the incubation period, the eggs are difficult to see because they are small and resemble the color of hair They are most easily seen around the ears and on the neck line Empty eggs are easier to spot because they are brighter in color and farther from the scalp The presence of eggs does not always indicate an active infestation
When to consult a doctor
Before treatment, consult a doctor if you suspect that you or your child have head lice. Studies have shown that in many cases a child is treated for lice when in fact he does not have lice
Lice are most often implicated in the following conditions:
- Dead or empty eggs from an old lice infestation
- Dandruff
- Residue from hair care products
- Dead hair tissue on the hair shaft
- Dull, dirt or other
