WHAT ARE LICE??

What are lice? 

Head lice (singular “louse”) are a common health condition, especially in children. These stubborn insects may be difficult to remove from the hair and can be quite contagious. Estimated 6 to 12 million people get lice every year, and most of them are ages 3 to 11 because children of this age are more likely to be in close contact with each other when playing.

Lice are parasitic insects. They form a parasitic relationship with humans as their host, with blood from the scalp as their source of nourishment. Therefore, head lice live close to the scalp, and sometimes in the eyelashes and eyebrows.

Symptoms of head lice include visible detection of lice in the hair, and an itching, tingling, or tickling sensation on the scalp.

Life cycle

 

 

The life cycle of a louse begins as an egg, also called a nit. The nit is a whitish-yellow speck that is about 1 millimeter in length. It attaches itself firmly to an individual hair strand close to the scalp.

After 7 to 10 days, the nit hatches and becomes what is known as a nymph, or a young louse. Nymphs are usually between 1.1 and 1.3 millimeters, and tan or white in color. Nymphs mature into adult lice within about 9 to 12 days.

Mature adults don’t tend to grow larger than 2 millimeters, and female lice are larger than males. Mature lice live for about three to four weeks.

 

Life span on humans

Immediately after lice eggs hatch, the nymphs need food. Using their claws to crawl from the strands of hair to the scalp, young adult and mature lice feed on the host’s blood multiple times a day.

As long as there’s a food source readily available, an adult louse can live for as long as 30 days on a human. However, lice can continue to multiply. Female lice lay up to six eggs each day.

Although lice can spread on inanimate objects, they won’t spread between you and your pets. Even pets with hair, like dogs and cats, don’t spread lice.

  

Treating your hair and home

Head lice don’t live very long without a human host, but can transfer from one person to another easily through close personal contact. It’s important to treat lice immediately and thoroughly to avoid an infestation.

Vacuuming carpets and upholstered furniture prevents lice from crawling onto a new host before they die. Wash bedding, clothing, and washable toys like stuffed animals in hot water. Tumble dry on high heat for at least 20 minutes to kill lice.

Medicated shampoos are designed to kill adult lice and nits. Such as malathion/GBB, Permethrin, Lindane, and Gamma Benzene Hexachloride. Medicated lice treatments on children younger than 2 months old should be used with caution and consult with your doctors and pharmacist.

The product that Pharmacy Pantai Hillpark keep which is contain  Permethrin and Gamma Benzene Hexachloride.

How do I know if lice are gone?

Treating lice can be stressful. Ideally, your child should be lice- and nit-free about two weeks after initial treatments. Continue to check your child’s hair frequently for lice and nits.

If after two weeks your child still has lice present or their scalp appears inflamed or infected, call their pediatrician. Your child may need a prescription treatment.

If you aren’t sure if your child’s lice are gone, you can purchase a black light and shine it on your child’s hair and scalp. Live nits will glow when they’re exposed to black light.

 

SOURCE FROM YOUTUBE

 

Preventing lice

Because young children often transmit lice, it can be difficult to take preventive measures. They may not understand the importance of preventing head-to-head contact. However, there are some steps you can take:

·         Teach your child to avoid head-to-head contact with others, and refrain from playing with, or fixing other children’s hair.

·         Teach your child to avoid sharing personal care items like brushes, combs, hats, scarves, and jackets.

·         Examine your child’s hair every three to four days if lice have been reported at their day care or school.

To keep lice from coming back, take the following steps:

·         Wash all bed linens, towels, and clothing in very hot water that is at least 130°F (54°C), followed by the hot cycle of your dryer for 20 minutes.

·         Dry-clean any items you can’t wash. If this isn’t possible, you can place 

• them in large, sealable bags for at least 72 hours so the lice can die.
• Thoroughly vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture. Carefully dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag afterward.
• Separate haircare products and items like ponytail holders, combs, hairbrushes, headbands, and barrettes, and soak them in rubbing alcohol or a medicated shampoo. You can also wash them in very hot water, such as in the dishwasher.

Don’t worry 

Getting rid of head lice can be time-consuming, but a case of head lice is not a health hazard. Lice don’t carry disease and don’t harm the head or scalp.

But you can prevent head lice by not sharing combs, hairbrushes, hair accessories, towels, bedding, hats, or scarves with a person who has head lice.

ATTENTION!!

If you find out that you have this lice problem, visit your neighborhood pharmacy and look for their suggestion. Stay with our Channel on Facebook , Instagram and our FB Page (I Am Healthy) for more info and current issue that we're focusing on from time to time. Don't forget to share your opinion and experience with us. Sharing is Caring!!.

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