Have you ever had head lice as a child? It was so itchy that sometimes the scalp would come off while scratching the head. Due to which the crust of the blood is broken and then there is pain and inflammation.
According to a study published in the prestigious journal 'Springer Nature', the scalp infection pediculosis is becoming a global problem. A large population of the world is affected by this. Researchers attribute this to head-to-head contact during selfies. Lice removal clinics in North America and Europe also claim that the number of people coming to them for lice removal has increased manifold in the past few years.
Although anyone can develop chronic problems, it is more common in children. This problem is usually seen in children between 3 and 11 years of age.
A favorable season for lice is underway. In India, autumn starts from late September and continues till December. This is the most favorable season for the development of 'lice'.
That's why today 'health water'In we will talk about lice. You will also learn that-
- Why do children often have head lice?
- What are the risks of head lice?
- If you have head lice, what is the treatment?
Lice cling to our scalp If you don't know about lice, understand that they are tiny, crawling insects. It has no wings. It resides in the hair of our head. Lice suck blood from our heads, this is their food. He continues to expand his family rapidly. It lays eggs, called nits. It sticks to our scalp. The infection caused by this is called pediculosis.
Why do young children often have chronic problems? Lice can be on anyone's head. It is often said that lice never discriminate socio-economically. However, it is also true that this problem is more common in children between 3 and 11 years of age.
Dr. Vijay Singhal, a dermatologist at Sribalaji Action Medical Institute, Delhi, says that the lifestyle of children is such that they get head lice. There is sometimes hand-to-hand contact between children while playing. They share their things with each other at school or in sports. During this time, lice easily enter each other's heads. Another major reason is that lice can easily suck blood from the skin of children. Therefore this insect grows rapidly on the head of children.
How long do lice stay alive in someone's head? The average lifespan of a 'lice' is 33 days. However, some lice survive up to 35 days. How long lice will last after applying a medicated shampoo or lotion depends on how many lice are in your hair. If proper treatment is taken, it completely disappears from the head in 2 to 3 weeks.
If you want to get rid of dandruff as quickly as possible, follow the instructions given on the shampoo, lotion or cream properly.
See the old life cycle of the head in the graphic:
How to know if there are lice in the hair? The most common symptom of 'lice' is itching. Lice are especially likely to occur on the back of the neck and the hair near the ears. That is why the itching is more intense here.
If a child scratches his head frequently before going to bed at night, there is a strong possibility that he has head lice. If you look closely at the head in daylight, white streaks will be visible. They look like dandruff, in fact they are nits ie old eggs. If you want to know more, you can try to remove some lice with the help of a fine comb.
When it is confirmed that you have head lice, you can purchase an over-the-counter medicated shampoo or lotion and apply it to your hair. It is more important because the scalp of children is soft. If it starts to bleed due to scratching, the risk of infection increases.
Another reason is that the itchiness of 'lice' can affect children's sleep. Due to which his studies and daily work are affected.
How do head lice spread to each other? Head lice cannot fly or jump. It can only run downhill. So they are usually spread from person to person during very close contact. Sometimes it is also spread by towels, bed sheets, combs or hats.
According to Dr. Vijay Singhal, there is no truth in the fact that insects like lice found on the body of pets can spread in human hair. The truth is that human and animal lice are completely different from each other.
It is not true that lice grow due to lack of hygiene. Lice are only spread from one person to another. It is certainly possible that the dirty scabs on the scalp help hide the lice.
What can happen if you or your child has head lice? The most reassuring thing for you is that lice themselves cannot spread any disease. However, it can cause headaches. Frequent scratching can irritate your scalp, which can lead to infection.
How are lice treated? Generally, there is no need to go to the doctor in case of 'lice'. A medicated shampoo, lotion or cream can be used for this. Shampoos contain substances called pyrethrin or permethrin, which kill lice and lice. Carefully read and follow the instructions written in the shampoo.
How to protect against lice? The best way to prevent lice is to not share combs, brushes, towels or hats with other people. If a person has head lice, avoid too close contact with them. After using a comb etc. at home, soak it in warm water for 10 minutes.
Tell children about lice and advise them to be careful about it. such as-
- Ask children to avoid head-to-head contact while playing.
- Do not share your hat or headwear with others.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
