Head Lice Symptoms

Head lice, also known as head-louse infestation and nits, is mainly seen to affect the skin of the scalp. They can sustain there for a long time since, the head hair is thick which makes it extremely difficult to find and kill the lice. They are sometimes even said to occur in other hairy parts of the body like legs. A louse is a parasite that feeds on human blood. They are incapable of burrowing in the skin but they do suck the blood by inserting their needle-like oral organs. Below are the head lice symptoms.

There are three stages of a louse's life namely, the egg (nit), the nymph and the adult. The eggs hatch within 9 to 10 days and the nymphs are very minute. The adults are sesame grain size and have a life cycle of about 30 days but die within 3 days if separated from the scalp. They can crawl very fast and cannot survive on any other being other than humans. They spread through direct contact i.e. if a person having lice infestation comes close to your head or you use a comb, hat, etc., used by that person then the chances of you getting infested is reasonably high.

The most common and most prominent symptom of head lice infestation is itching. Head lice, specially if present in large numbers, causes the head to itch uncontrollably. There are few other head lice signs and symptoms, though rarely seen, may occur in the hair.

What Are the Symptoms of Head Lice?

• The bite reactions being mild, cannot be seen by plain eyes through thick scalp hair. However, bites on the back of the neck can be spotted easily.
• Sensation of some insect crawling on the scalp.
• Excess scratching of the bites may cause secondary skin infection like pyoderma or impetigo.
• Dandruff like flakes stuck in the hair may be an indication of the presence of nits in the hair.
• Hair loss along with itching clearly indicates severe lice problem.

Head lice mostly occur in women and children. They have to be treated with natural hair care products like anti-lice oils and shampoos. If the infestation is beyond cure, the best method is to shave the head, specially if the skin diseases specified above occur. Neem (Azadirachta indica) products are best suited for head lice treatment. No treatment is said to be 100% full proof and has to be repeatedly taken to eliminate head lice completely.

It is easier to prevent head lice than to cure it. Keep children's hair clean and check the scalp every month, specially if the child scratches the head frequently. For additional precaution, apply anti-lice oil or wash the hair with anti-lice shampoo at least once every weak and comb hair with a very thin-teethed hair brush. Try to avoid direct head contact with any person if you know that the person is affected by head lice infestation. Use your own hair accessories and avoid sharing it with anyone. Cover the hair with a hat or scarf when visiting crowded places. If the problem gets too severe, consult a dermatologist immediately. Wash the clothes and bedding of an infested person separately.

Head lice is not a serious disease and can be cured easily if detected at the earliest. Neglect and unhygienic conditions can lead to faster spread of head lice. For proper hair care, it is best advised to take the stated precautionary steps immediately if any head lice symptoms are observed.