The symptoms and treatment of Lice

Description

Lice are tiny, wingless insects that feed on human blood. Lice spread from person to person through close contact and by sharing belongings.

There are three types of lice:

Head lice are found on the scalp. They are easier to see at the nape of the neck and ears.
Body lice live in clothing and bedding, and move on to the skin to feed. Body lice are most often affect people who are not able to bathe or wash clothes often, such as the homeless.
Pubic lice, also called crabs, which are produced in the skin and the hair in the pubic area. Less frequently, can be found in the thick hair on the body, such as chest hair, eyebrows, or eyelashes.

If not treated properly, the lice can become a recurring problem.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of head lice are:

An intense itching on the scalp, the body, or in the genital area.
A tickling feeling from movement of hair.
The presence of lice on the scalp, the body, clothing, or pubic or other body hair. Adult lice may be about the size of a sesame seed or slightly larger.
Head lice eggs (nits) on hair shafts. The nits can be hard to see because they are very small. They are the easiest to identify around the ears and on the nape of the neck. The nits may be mistaken for dandruff, but unlike dandruff, they can not be easily brushed hair.
Sores on the scalp, neck and shoulders. The scratching can cause small red bumps that can sometimes become infected with bacteria.
Bite marks, especially around the waist, groin, thighs and the pubic area.

When to see a doctor

Consult your health care provider if you suspect that you or your child has head lice. Things that are often mistaken for nits are:

Dandruff
Waste products for hair
Ball of dead hair woven on a shaft of the hair
Scabs, dirt, or other debris
Other small bugs found in the hair

Causes

Head lice feed on human blood and can be found on the human head, body, and pubic area. The female louse produces a sticky substance that adheres firmly to each egg to the base of the hair shaft. The eggs hatch in 6 to 9 days.

You can get lice by coming into contact with head lice or nits. Head lice cannot jump or fly. It is spread through:

Head-to-head or body to body. This can occur as children or family members to play or interact closely.
Closely stored belongings. The storage of the clothes they have lice close together in closets, lockers, or in the side-by-side hooks in the school, you can spread the lice. Head lice can also be spread when the storage of personal items such as pillows, blankets, combs, and stuffed toys together.
Elements shared between friends or family members. These can include clothing, headphones, brushes, combs, hair accessories, towels, blankets, pillows and stuffed toys.
The contact with the furniture that you have lice in it. Lying on a bed or sitting in an overstuffed with upholstery fabric, furniture recently used by someone who has head lice can spread. Head lice can live for 1 to 2 days out of the body.
Sexual Contact. Pubic lice usually are spread through sexual contact. Pubic lice most commonly affect adults. Pubic lice found on children may be a sign of sexual exposure or abuse.

Prevention

It is difficult to prevent the spread of head lice among children in child care and schools. There are a lot of close contact between children and their belongings that head lice can spread easily. The presence of lice in the head is not a reflection of the habits of hygiene. In addition there is a failure of the parents if a child has head lice.

Some nonprescription products claim to repel lice. But more research is needed to demonstrate its safety and efficacy.

Many small studies have shown that the ingredients of some of these products — most of the vegetable oils like coconut, olive, rosemary, and tea tree — can work to repel lice. However, these products are classified as "natural", and therefore, are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Its safety and efficacy has not been tested to the standards of the FDA.

Until further research demonstrates the effectiveness of the head lice prevention products, the best approach is simply to take comprehensive steps to get rid of head lice and their eggs if the meeting in his son. In the meantime, these steps may help to prevent head lice:

Ask your child to avoid head-to-head contact with their peers during play and other activities.
Teach your child not to share personal items , such as hats, scarves, coats, combs, brushes, hair accessories and headphones.
Tell your child to avoid the shared spaces where the hats and clothes of more than one student is hung on a hook, or kept in a closet.

However, it is not realistic to expect that you and your child can avoid any contact can cause the spread of head lice.

Your child may have nits in your hair, but you can't develop a case of head lice. Some of the nits are the empty egg. However, nits are located within 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) of the scalp normally should be treated, even if you find only one — to avoid the possibility of hatching.

Diagnosis

During an examination, a doctor may use a magnifying glass to search for the lice. The doctor may also use a special light called a Wood's light, to check for nits. This light makes the nits easier to detect by making them look pale blue.

Head lice

A health care provider can diagnose head lice after finding a live young or adult lice in the hair or on the scalp, or after watching one or more of the nits in the hair located within 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) of the scalp.

Body lice

A health care provider can diagnose the body lice if you find eggs or lice in the seams of the clothing or in the bed. You can see a body louse on the skin if it is dragged by there to eat.

Pubic lice

A health care provider can diagnose the pubic lice when they see moving head lice or nits in the hair in the pubic area or in other areas of coarse hair, such as chest hair, eyebrows, or eyelashes.

Treatment

The use of drugs to treat head lice only as directed. Applying too much can cause redness, irritation of the skin.

Head lice

Head lice treatment can involve:

- The-counter products.Shampoos that contain permethrin (Nix) are usually the first option is used to combat the head lice. Permethrin is a synthetic version of pyrethrin, which is a chemical compound extracted from the chrysanthemum flower. Permethrin is toxic to lice. Strictly follow the instructions when using this product. A lotion that contains ivermectin (Sklice) is also available without a prescription. Ivermectin is toxic to lice. The lotion is approved for use in adults and children older than 6 months of age or older. It can be applied once your hair dry and then rinse it off with water after 10 minutes. Do not repeat the ivermectin treatment without consulting your doctor first. Possible side effects include irritation or redness, dandruff, dry skin, and a burning sensation at the site of application. In some places, the lice have developed resistance to the ingredients of the prescription of treatments. If the-counter treatments don't work, your doctor may prescribe shampoos or lotions that contain different ingredients.
Oral prescription medications.Ivermectin (Stromectol) is available by prescription as a tablet that you take by mouth. The oral drug effective to treat head lice with two doses, with eight days of difference. This medication is typically used when other treatments have not been effective. Children must weigh at least 33 pounds (15 kilograms) to take the ivermectin oral. Side effects may include nausea and vomiting.
Topical prescription medications.Malathion is a prescription medication that is applied to the hair, and then rubbed into the scalp and hair. Malathion has a high content of alcohol and is flammable. In order to keep away from sources of heat, such as hair dryers, electric curlers and cigarettes. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, talk to your health care provider before using this medication. The drug is not recommended for children 2 and under. It is not clear if it is safe for use in individuals 2 to 6 years. Spinosad (Natroba) is a new prescription treatment for head lice. You can apply it on your dry hair and scalp for 10 minutes and then rinse with water. The treatment is usually not necessary to repeat. But it can be used again after seven days if live lice still are present. Possible side effects of spinosad include redness or irritation of the eyes and skin. This medicine is not recommended for children under 4 years of age.

- The-counter products. Shampoos that contain permethrin (Nix) are usually the first option is used to combat the head lice. Permethrin is a synthetic version of pyrethrin, which is a chemical compound extracted from the chrysanthemum flower. Permethrin is toxic to lice. Strictly follow the instructions when using this product.

A lotion that contains ivermectin (Sklice) is also available without a prescription. Ivermectin is toxic to lice. The lotion is approved for use in adults and children older than 6 months of age or older. It can be applied once your hair dry and then rinse it off with water after 10 minutes.

Do not repeat the ivermectin treatment without consulting your doctor first. Possible side effects include irritation or redness, dandruff, dry skin, and a burning sensation at the site of application.

In some places, the lice have developed resistance to the ingredients of the prescription of treatments. If the-counter treatments don't work, your doctor may prescribe shampoos or lotions that contain different ingredients.

Oral prescription medications. Ivermectin (Stromectol) is available by prescription as a tablet that you take by mouth. The oral drug effective to treat head lice with two doses, with eight days of difference. This medication is typically used when other treatments have not been effective.

Children must weigh at least 33 pounds (15 kilograms) to take the ivermectin oral. Side effects may include nausea and vomiting.

Topical prescription medications. Malathion is a prescription medication that is applied to the hair, and then rubbed into the scalp and hair. Malathion has a high content of alcohol and is flammable. In order to keep away from sources of heat, such as hair dryers, electric curlers and cigarettes.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, talk to your health care provider before using this medication. The drug is not recommended for children 2 and under. It is not clear if it is safe for use in individuals 2 to 6 years.

Spinosad (Natroba) is a new prescription treatment for head lice. You can apply it on your dry hair and scalp for 10 minutes and then rinse with water. The treatment is usually not necessary to repeat. But it can be used again after seven days if live lice still are present.

Possible side effects of spinosad include redness or irritation of the eyes and skin. This medicine is not recommended for children under 4 years of age.

Body lice

If you have body lice, first wash with soap and water. After bathing, apply permethrin (Nix) to the affected areas before going to bed and after my shower in the morning. Repeat this treatment nine days after the first application.

Also take other measures to get rid of body lice. Wash clothing and bedding in hot, soapy water — at least 130 F (54 C) — and dry at high heat for at least 20 minutes. Vacuum floors and furniture. And the seal unwashable items in a sealed bag for two weeks.

Pubic lice

Pubic lice can be treated with many of the same medications-the-counter and prescription treatments for head lice. Carefully follow the instructions on the package. Talk with your doctor about the treatment of head lice and nits in the eyebrows or eyelashes.

Self-care

Whether you wear non-prescription or prescription shampoo to kill lice, much of the treatment involves self-care measures that you can take at home. These include making sure all nits are removed and that all the clothing, bedding, personal items and furniture are free of lice.

In most cases, kill the lice that there is in you is not difficult. The challenge is to get rid of all the nits, and avoiding contact with other head lice at home or at school.

Lifestyle and home remedies

You can get rid of head lice with a patient, detailed approach that involves the cleaning of you or your child's personal items that may contain lice.

These steps can help you to get rid of head lice:

Check the availability of other members of the household for lice and nits. Treat any person who has symptoms of head lice.
The use of lotions and shampoos.Choose from several non-prescription lotions and shampoos designed to kill head lice. Apply the product according to the instructions on the package. It may be necessary to repeat the treatment with the lotion or shampoo in around 9 to 10 days after the first application. Be sure to review the recommendations of the age of the drugs prior to their use in children.
Comb wet hair. The use of a fine-tooth comb or to physically remove the lice from the hair wet. Repeat every 3 to 4 days for at least two weeks. This method can be used in combination with other treatments. It is usually recommended as first-line treatment for infants younger than 2 months.
Wash items. Wash bedding, stuffed animals, clothing and hats with warm, soapy water — at least 130 F (54 C) — and dry at high heat for at least 20 minutes.
Seal unwashable items. Place them in an airtight bag for up to two weeks.
Vacuum. Vacuum the floor and furniture also.
Wash combs and brushes. Use hot, soapy water — at least 130 F (54 C) — or soak combs and brushes in rubbing alcohol for an hour.

The use of lotions and shampoos. Choose from several non-prescription lotions and shampoos designed to kill head lice. Apply the product according to the instructions on the package.

It may be necessary to repeat the treatment with the lotion or shampoo in around 9 to 10 days after the first application. Be sure to review the recommendations of the age of the drugs prior to their use in children.

One thing that you don't need to worry about your family of pets. Head lice prefer people to pets. So that your pets do not need any treatment for head lice.

Alternative medicine

Many of home or natural remedies, such as mayonnaise or olive oil, are used to treat head lice. But there is little or no evidence of its effectiveness.

A special machine that uses hot air to dehydrate head lice and their eggs is another alternative method of treatment. The machine requires special training and is currently only available in the professional head lice treatment centers.

Regular hair dryer can't be used to do this at home because it is very hot and can burn the scalp. The machine that performs the process of dehydration of head lice is colder than most hair dryers, but has a higher flow rate to kill the lice to dry.

Preparing for your appointment

Often, you can get rid of lice with over-the-counter treatments and properly washing of household items that had lice in them, such as bedding, towels and clothing. If these steps do not work, consult your health care provider.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
Write down key personal information, including, when they could have been exposed to head lice, which could have exposed and items for the home could be contaminated.
Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking.
Write questions to ask their health care provider. Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions in advance will help you make the most of your time together. A list of questions from most important to least important in case time runs out.

Some basic questions to ask your health care provider about of lice are:

How do you treat head lice?
Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
How often can I safely use this product?
How to get rid of the lice of items for the home?
Who should I inform you about my condition?
What other actions should I take to prevent the spread of head lice again or give it to others?
Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take my house? What sites do you recommend?
Should I plan for a follow-up visit?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your health care provider, do not hesitate to ask questions during your appointment when you don't understand something.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider is likely to ask a series of questions, such as:

When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
How were exposed to head lice?
There is someone who could have been exposed to head lice?
How severe are the symptoms?

What you can do in the meantime

If you think or know you have lice, avoid sharing personal items, bedding, towels or clothing. Showering and follow the self-care measures, including washing items in hot water.

If you think or know you have pubic lice, also avoid sexual activity until they have been treated.