Head Lice: A Real Head Scratcher for Parents (page 2)

Each year approximately 6 to 12 million children between the ages of 3 and 12 year of age are infested with head lice ^1,5. While the odds of our son or daughter developing head lice are relatively small, following is useful information on how to spot and treat this condition.

What are head lice?

Head lice are parasites hat survive by infecting small amounts of saliva and removing small amounts of blood from the scalp every few hours ¹. Generally found on the scalp, around the ears and at the back of the neck, the adult louse is about the size of a sesame seed and can be a reddish brown color ². Eggs of nits, are smaller and are silver in color ³.

What are the symptoms of head lice?

The most common symptom of head lice is the scratching caused by sensitivity to the louse’s saliva ^1, although you may also notice red bite marks on your child’s head ^2.

How common are head lice?

About one in every 100 U.S. elementary school children will be infested with head lice in any given year ⁴. Infestation can occur throughout the year, although a peak in generally experienced during summer and back-to-school time erioids ³.

How do you contract head lice?

Lice are “equal opportunity” parasites. They infest all socioeconomic groups, races, genders and ages, but are more commonly found in children due to their close contact with each other ^1. While lice are not conisdered an infectious disease, transmission from one child to another can occur during direct contact or through the sharing of personal items such as hats, helmets, brushes, or combs ¹. It is important for you to know that lice are not a sign of poor hygiene and they do not transmit disease. If you child contracts head lice, there is no cause for embarrassment or undue anxiety. By the same token, if someone in your child’s class at school develops head lice, there is no reason to panic and automatically assume that your child will “catch” head lice.

How do I know if my child as had lice?

Diagnosis of head lice is usually made on the basis of Symptoms and confirmed through the identification of a live louse on the head. If you child is scorching his or her head, and you see red bite marks and lice or nits on their scalp, he or she should be examined by a medical professional (such as a school nurse) ^4.