What Are head lice Or Louse?
Head lice or louse are nasty, little parasites that that are mainly found on the scalp. Two small pumps in its head allow it to feed on the blood of their host several times a day. The adult louse is 1‐3 mm long. These insects have 6 legs with hook-like claws at the end of each one that they use to hold onto the hair shaft. Head lice are tan to greyish white in color, have no wings and can neither fly, hop nor jump.
Head Lice Infestation is primarily spread by head to head contact from one individual to another . Other ways of transmitting head lice may include transmission through the sharing of items such as hats, headbands or bedding such as pillow cases.
Pediculosis is a scientific term which simply means "infested with lice". If someone has live head lice or live embryos in viable eggs, this is known as active pediculosis and these lice and eggs need to be removed or killed.
There are 3 stages to the life cycle of head lice or louse: egg, nymph and adult. Female head lice mate within 2-3 days of becoming an adult and begin laying eggs (Nits) which are about the size of a pinhead. At the same time, the adult female discharges a "glue-like" substance so the eggs will stick to hair shafts close to the scalp. Anywhere from 6 to 9 days later, these eggs hatch juvenile lice called nymphs. These nymphs look like adults, only smaller and grow into adult lice within a further 3 to 5 days.
Symptoms of Head Lice
Common symptoms of head lice infestation include:-
(a) The presence or sensation of creepy, crawlies in your hair and/or on your scalp;
(b) Intense itchiness of your scalp and resultant scratching;
(c) The development or existence of scabs and sores on your scalp;
(d) Discovering nits (lice eggs) in your hair.
Causes of Head Lice - How Do You Get Head Lice?
Head lice have been around for thousands of years and are primarily spread from one person to another via direct contact with the hair of someone already infected with head lice. While louse may also be spread through the sharing of or contact with, personal items such as hats and headbands or hair brushes and combs of an infected individual, this method of transmission is nowhere near as common.
Children are especially susceptible to contracting head lice due to common, close contact with other kids through play, sport and other activities (eg. school camps and sleepovers) who are already infected.
Head Lice Myth : It is not true that head lice infestation is caused by a lack of personal cleanliness or hygiene. This is completely incorrect even though there is a perception in Western societies to the contrary leading to some parents feeling ashamed and horrified that one or more of their children (or even themselves) have contracted head lice.
