Head Lice Basics

There are things you need to know if you have a child infested with head lice. It is a frustrating time for parents and there is a worry about how to get rid of the pests. Some scientists and doctors believe that some strains of lice have become resistant to some regular treatments. Others believe they do not work because nits are not completely removed or maybe the child has been misdiagnosed with lice.

The main symptom of head lice is an itchy scalp. Itchy scalp is caused by saliva the louse leaves in the spot he has punctured to draw blood. Sometimes these spots can get infected and cause a crusty, red look and swollen lymph glands. If you see your child constantly scratching behind the ears or at the neckline, you should inspect their head for nits and lice. A secondary infection may develop if the child scratches with dirty hands.

Head lice are small, about the size of a sesame seed and scurry around the head. They crawl fast; they do not hop, jump, or fly. Because they move so fast, it is hard to spot them without a strong light or magnifying glass. Live lice are usually gray or reddish brown. If they are reddish brown they have recently fed on the host's head. Another sign of infestation is finding nits or lice eggs attached to a strand of hair close to the head. The nits will be close to the scalp because they need heat to hatch and they need to feed as soon as they hatch. Nits are small, oval shaped and are attached by glue like substance. They will not move easily if touched by a finger or comb.

Treatment for head lice includes using shampoos with pesticides, natural home cures, and nit removal with a special nit comb. If you decide to use a pesticide shampoo, carefully read all the label directions and precautions. If you choose for natural or alternative methods like Vaseline, mayonnaise, tea tree oil, or olive oil, remember they are untested and unproved methods. These products are hard to remove from the hair with ordinary shampoos. It is easier if you use a dishwashing liquid before the shampoo, and rinse with a conditioner.

Children can often be misdiagnosed with head lice. They may have nits that are dead and far from the scalp, or have types of hair that resemble nits at the hairline. If you are unsure if your child has head lice, check with your doctor. If you don't see any little pests running around on the scalp and the nits are far removed from the base, your child may not have an active case of head lice.

Before treating your child look at all the treatment choices and the pros and cons of each one. Pesticide shampoos can cause allergic and asthmatic reactions, and Vaseline and olive oil are hard to remove. The one step you cannot skip is the manual removal of all nits and eggs.