HAIR CARE ADVICE
What To Do About Head Lice
HairStyles Magazine
by: Damien R. von Dahlem - Copyright
Pediculosis (head body lice) and Phthiriasis (pubic lice):
WHAT ARE LICE?:
Lice are wingless parasitic insects that feed on blood and infest the hairy parts of human bodies. Humans are affected by three types of lice; head lice, pubic lice, and body lice. Body lice are the result of extreme overcrowding and poor sanitation.
Head and pubic lice attach their eggs to the base of the hair shaft. Body lice attach their eggs onto clothing. Eggs hatch in six to nine days and require warm temperatures to survive, but can survive from 2 - 10 days away from the host, depending on the type of louse.
Lice can live from 20 - 30 days and will produce 5 eggs per day during this time. As their name implies, head lice can be found in the scalp area, and pubic lice are generally found in the pubic area, but can also be found in eyebrows and armpits. HEAD LICE: Are 2-3mm, or 1/16 to 1/8 inch, or about the size of a sesame seed, in length with a flat elongated body and are spread through personal contact and the sharing of such items as combs, brushes, clothing and bedding.
PUBIC LICE: Are 1.5 to 2mm in length with a crab shaped body and are usually spread by sexual contact or by crowding clothing together in lockers and other places.
BODY LICE: Are a tad larger than Head Lice and are spread by sharing unwashed clothing and living in very overcrowded conditions.
WHO GETS HEAD LICE?: Head lice occur in all socioeconomic groups and are not a sign of uncleanliness. Anyone can get head lice under the right conditions, but are most commonly found in elementary school and day care children.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HEAD LICE?: Itching is the most common symptom of a head lice infestation, but children with a light infestation may not show any symptoms. Therefore, a thorough examination of the hair and scalp is necessary.
HOW SOON DO SYMPTOMS APPEAR?: Itching may occur two or three weeks after infestation with head lice.
HOW LONG IS A PERSON ABLE TO SPREAD HEAD LICE?: Lice can spread as long as they are alive on hair or clothing.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR LICE?: Medicated shampoos, cream rinses and soaps are used to kill lice. They are available from you doctor, or over the counter. Follow the directions on the label and repeat the process in 7 - 10 days to kill any lice which hatched after the first treatment.
DO NOT TAKE THE INFESTED PERSON TO A SALON!!!: As you can imaging, a hair salon is the worst possible place to take an infested person as the infestation could spread through an entire community like a wild fire. The law also prohibits the salon from treating the infected person and you will directed to leave the salon abruptly and vigorously which may cause you a great deal of embarrassment.
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF HEAD LICE?:
1. Contacts of people with head lice should be checked for nits and lice and treated if necessary, and they should be taught not to share combs, brushes, hats, or other headgear.
2. Clothing, sheets, blankets and bedspreads should be washed in hot water (128 degrees F) for five minutes to destroy eggs and lice. Storing clothing in plastic bags for ten days is also effective.
3. Combs, brushes and similar items should be soaked for 10 minutes in a pan of hot water (128 degrees F), or by soaking them in the medicated shampoos for 1 hour.
4. Vacuum furniture and carpets.
5. Regular inspection of children attending elementary school and day care.
