FAQs about Head Lice
What are head lice
Head lice are very small insects that live in human hair; they actually feed on blood they draw from the human scalp. The eggs of the louse are called nits, and a female louse can lay about 100 nits. These eggs are laid right at the base of the hair shaft and they take 7-10 days to hatch. Because head lice reproduce so rapidly and in such volume, it's easy to see why they can quickly become a problem.
Where do head lice come from
Your first question when you found out your child had head lice may have been: how did this happenHead lice are actually quite common in children, especially children ages 3 to 12. They are most common among preschool and elementary age children. Lice may certainly be a pest and an annoyance, by they do not carry diseases. Unfortunately, however, lice are very contagious. Lice are commonly spread by sharing clothing—like hats and scarves—that has been used by an infected person, or lying on a surface—like a bed, couch, or carpet—that has been in contact with an infested person.
How do I know if my child has head lice
The most common symptom of head lice is itching, which is caused by a small allergic reaction to lice biting the scalp. Lice are also most active at night, so a person with head lice may have difficulty sleeping because of increased insect activity. Some people with lice also develop sores from excessive scratching which, on occasions, can become infected.
The only way to verify that your child has lice is to physically see them on your child's scalp; using a magnifying glass and a fine-tooth comb may help with this process. Lice are grayish or white, each one about the size of a sesame seed. If your child has lice, you may see them crawling in your child's hair. You may also see the lice nits, which are yellowish-white and will be attached to the hair shafts near the scalp.