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Health & Fitness

Get Ahead of Head Lice

Head lice, also known as pediculosis capitis, are parasitic wingless insects about the size of a sesame seed that live on the human head and feed on tiny droplets of blood.  Head lice infect the head and neck and attach their eggs, called nits, to the base of the hair shaft.   New data reveals that head lice are a major public health issue, affecting about 10 percent of school-aged children in America. Head lice are extremely contagious.  Close contact and sharing of personal belongings put people at risk. Although the symptoms of lice can be irritating, it is not a serious medical problem.

Here are the ways to go about identifying and treating the condition.

Identify the symptoms.  Lice can cause extreme itching of the scalp and result in small, red bumps on the scalp, neck and shoulders.

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Examine your child.  If you suspect that your child may have lice, or if you are informed that your child’s friend or schoolmate does, you should examine his or her head carefully.  You can do this by using disposable rubber gloves and examining the scalp under a bright light.  A magnifying glass or flashlight may be necessary to help in the examination.  Part the child’s hair in small sections and look both for moving lice and stationary nits on the entire head.  Look closely around the top of the neck and ears.

Notify your child’s school, child care program, or camp.  It is important that you notify your child’s school or program as soon as you discover head lice, so that school officials or program directors can take proper action in limiting its spread.

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Treat the itch.  Public health officials are concerned that toxic remedies are becoming ineffective as the parasites adapt and survive through the treatment.  All household members and close contacts who show signs of infestation should be treated.  The following are non-toxic remedies that are available.

Cream or spray treatment. There are homeopathic cream and spray treatments that are proven to eliminate head lice and nits and prevent re-infestation.

Nitpicking and combing. This should be done in conjunction with all other treatment methods.  Comb hair into sections with a metal comb and extract nits by hand.  

Olive oil/Beeswax. Another treatment option is to rub olive oil in the hair or run a metal comb through beeswax.  This helps make it easier for the nits to adhere to the comb’s teeth. Beeswax is a natural wax produced in the hive of honey bees, and is often used in skin care and cosmetics.

Specialized Shampoos. There are specialized shampoos that are non-toxic and come from organic, botanical extracts that have been said to be effective in treating head lice.  

Once you have treated head lice, you must prevent it from spreading.  You can do this by washing all clothes, hats and outerwear, bed linens, and car seat covers in hot water with detergent.  Vacuuming carpets and furniture in the home and car can also prevent spreading.  Comb for nits every few days after the treatment to ensure that they have been eliminated.

Preventing head lice in the future. Teach your children not to share brushes, combs, hats and other clothing.  Keep girls hair short to decrease the risk of getting head lice.

Having head lice can be embarrassing for children.  It is important to remind them that the irritation will be gone soon, and that having head lice does not result from poor hygiene. There is nothing to feel badly about.

While having head lice is not a topic many parents like to discuss, it is a good idea to understand the symptoms, treatments, and prevention methods to successfully deal with this head-scratching problem.

Steve Bernardi is a compounding pharmacist and co-owner of Johnson Compounding and Wellness Center in Waltham.

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