Head lice create headaches throughout households
Most creepy crawly things that keep children up at night turn out to be a figment of their imagination — except when it comes to head lice.
Parents shouldn’t ignore complaints from children who claim they’re losing sleep over the sensation that something is crawling on their scalp or who complain of incessant itching at night. It may turn out to be head lice, a common ailment among schoolage children who engage in social activities such as playing in the park or attending summer camp, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Head lice are tiny, grayish-white insects that can be found on the head, eyebrows and eyelashes. The parasites live close to the human scalp and feed on human blood several times a day, the CDC said. They are extremely tiny — only measuring three millimeters when grown — but have the power to turn a family’s life upside down.
“Finding out your child has head lice can be very upsetting for any parent,” said Mark Williams, MD, a family physician with Premier Health Primary Care — Beavercreek. “It’s important for parents to understand that this in no way indicates their child or family is unclean or sick, and that it’s something that can be resolved with the right treatment.”
Lice do not fly or jump; rather, they move from person to person by crawling. The most common way a child gets head lice is when their head has touched the head of another child with lice. It also can spread by sharing clothing or belongings such as a hat or scarf.
Head lice have three forms. The eggs are laid by the adult female at the base of the hair shaft and are known as nits. A nymph is a newly hatched louse that turns into an adult within nine to 12 days.
The most common symptoms of a head lice infestation are the feeling of something moving in the hair, itching from an allergic reaction to the insect’s bites, sores on the head and difficulty sleeping since head lice are most active in the dark, according to the CDC.
The best way to diagnose someone with head lice is to examine their head. The presence of adult louse or nits on the hair shaft within a quarter inch from the scalp prove an infestation. Everyone in the household of someone diagnosed with lice should also be examined. Those who have a positive diagnosis and anyone who shares a bed with that person should be treated for lice.
Treatment for lice involves a combination of medication and temporary modifications in the home, said Dr. Williams, who practices with Premier Physician Network.
Treat the infection — Options for killing head lice include shampoos, creams and liquids, as well as oral medications. Many treatments are over the counter, but a call to a child’s health care provider can help in identifying the right treatment.
Gather and isolate — Remove all items from the infected person’s bedroom. Blankets or stuffed animals that can be washed should be thrown into the laundry and placed on a high heat cycle to kill lice. Items that cannot be placed in the washer should be dry cleaned or placed in a plastic garbage bag for at least two weeks.
Be diligent — Don’t assume a one-time treatment on the infected person’s scalp will eradicate the issue. Check the person’s head daily for nits and remove them to prevent any further lice from hatching.
To schedule an appointment with a Premier Physician Network provider near you, visit Premierhealth.com/ Makeanappointment.