Of Lice and Men
Head lice have been around for thousands of years. They have even been found in prehistoric mummies. This insect lives exclusively on the human head, so it's impossible to catch head lice from animals. Contrary to common belief, this condition can occur in children of any socioeconomic levels. No child is immune.
Lousy Transmission
Head lice are transmitted primarily by direct head-to-head contact, but it is possible to catch head lice by using other people's combs or sharing hats. Lice are actually not as contagious as most people believe. These bugs cannot jump or fly, so they are virtually impossible to catch without direct physical contact.
The Exterminator
Before initiation of treatment, make sure you have the correct diagnosis. Without an accurate diagnosis, you cannot expect to see a resolution of the problem. Frequently, other problems such as dandruff or skin conditions such as psoriasis are the cause of an itchy scalp.
Fact
The “no-nit” policy of many schools is completely groundless. As long as there are no live lice around, the child is not infectious. Long after the successful eradication of head lice, most children will still retain hundreds of dead louse eggs in their hair. These children should not be prevented from attending school.
Over-the-counter louse-killing shampoos are usually quite effective in getting rid of an infestation. Follow the instructions on these medications carefully, and do not use them excessively without the supervision of medical personnel.
Remember, treatment is only necessary when the presence of a live louse has been detected and confirmed. Dead egg sacs do not pose any problem, and repeated treatment is futile.
Alert!
Many folk remedies for head lice are potentially dangerous. Some people have tried lighting matches to burn off the nits, or using toxic or caustic chemicals to burn the lice off. These measures are more likely to cause serious harm to your child than the lice you're targeting.
If you are concerned about contaminated personal items that might harbor lice, you can store objects such as pillowcases, pajamas, hats, or combs in a large, sealed, airtight trash bag for a week. Any live lice or viable eggs present will hatch during this time, and the new lice will starve to death.
Adult lice feed on human blood. They cannot survive for more than a day without feeding. This means that if a louse falls off a child's head and cannot find a new head to claim, it will starve to death fairly quickly.
