Head Lice: Scratching Head for Answers; In front of Others?

Head lice infection is a condition that most parents dread their child to be infected of. This is frustrating because it is not easy to get rid of the head lice.

Typically, the major symptom of head lice infestation is itching of the scalp because of the bites of the lice. When these bites become infected, it can cause enlargement of the lymph nodes in the neck of the child.

Diagnosis of head lice infestation is done when lice were seen at the child’s head, along with nits or lice eggs that are attached to the child’s hair. Nits are attached to the hair shafts and are usually oval shaped and have a yellowish white color.

The main treatment for head lice involves using a head lice shampoo and removing the nits with a lice comb. If the lice infestation is not very severe, manual removal of live lice and nits can be done.

Once treatment is done, it is necessary to continue removing nits on the child’s hair. Clothing and beddings of the child should also be washed on hot water so that nits and lice will be removed.

In the United States, head lice infestation is usually common among children in the preschool age. Those who are attending day care centers are also at risk as well as those who are already in the elementary levels. Based from statistics, approximately 6 million to 12 million children ages 3-11 are infected with head lice in the United States each year. Apparently, children are more infected than adults.

As head lice spread by direct contact, it is quite expected that if a child has a head lice, the possibilities of the other siblings being infected is high. Head lice infestation is not associated with serious conditions and death.

Head lice infestation occurs worldwide but it is considered as endemic in the United States.  The infestation of head lice is usually high at the beginning of the school year which is September, although head lice infestation happens throughout the year. The main reason why infestation is high in September is because it is during that time when school physicians and nurses are inspecting their students.

The main issue at the moment is the resistance of head lice to treatment. Researchers have been studying about the possibilities why head lice aren’t completely removed after treatment. The possibilities of resistance are still unclear and what the researchers are seeing are just plain re-infestation and not resistance to the treatment.