This week Check up looks at Head Lice
Head lice
Within the next couple of weeks, I just know I'll get a note home informing me that someone in my child's class has head lice. Despite my best efforts to keep my kids' hair clean, they always end up getting them. Why?
There cannot be too many mothers who do not share your sentiments regarding the dreaded "nits" letter. In my experience, I usually find the crumpled missive two weeks later at the bottom of the school bag - by which time we're all scratching our heads!
Head lice are small, wingless insects that live close to the scalp for warmth and moisture, sucking blood from the skin for food. Unfortunately, no one is immune; clean or dirty, long or short, anyone who has hair on their head can catch these pesky creatures. They are passed from one person to another by direct head-to-head contact, with the female lice laying about 10 eggs every day.
What causes the intense itching?
When the head lice feed on the scalp, it causes local inflammation, prompting the sufferer to scratch. As a result, bacteria from the nails can easily infect the inflamed area, leading to even more itching and scratching.
No matter what treatments I've used in the past, the head lice keep coming back.
Head lice have been around since the time of the cave man and they have adapted to survive. Although there are many different types of head lice preparation available, all of which work, the lice can become resistant to them. It's a good idea to talk to your pharmacist about which ones are working locally. Despite your best efforts, re-infection can occur very easily with exposure to other infected heads, so vigilance is paramount. Regardless of which preparation you use, there are a few standard precautions you should take. Remember, it is important to check your children's hair regularly. If you find head lice on one member of the family, treat everyone in the household, as the chances are they have been passed around. Although very time-consuming, the application of copious amounts of hair conditioner followed by thorough combing of the hair with a good fine-tooth comb usually eliminates the problem. Unfortunately, it does take an enormous amount of time and effort, but perseverance pays off.