Head lice actually don’t jump; instead, they move from hair to hair with the powerful claws at the ends of their legs. — AFP
Head lice can be easily transmitted in communal settings like school and daycare centres.
These blood-feeding parasites are becoming increasingly resistant to certain treatments.
That’s why it’s important to take the right steps to limit their spread and get rid of them as soon as possible.
Head lice are insects that measure two to three millimetres long.
They live on the scalp, where they lay their eggs.
Contrary to popular belief, they don’t jump.
They move between hair strands, clinging to them with a powerful claw at the end of each of their six legs.
They can live for a day or two on a person’s scalp, feeding on blood.
But they don’t survive more than three days off the scalp.
The presence of head lice is often detected by the itching they cause in their host.
But it’s possible to have lice without experiencing any particular symptoms.
If you suspect your child has lice, inspect their scalp for these parasites.
They’re usually found very close to the scalp and the nape of the neck, or behind the ears.
Bear in mind that lice crawl very quickly, making them difficult to see.
You can use a fine-toothed comb to help hunt them down.
Choose a metal comb, as these are sturdier than plastic ones.
If your child does have head lice, there are a multitude of products available to combat them.
But not all of them are as effective as you might think.
Over time, lice have genetically evolved to survive conventional treatments such as malathion or pyrethrin derivatives.
In fact, products containing these insecticides have been off the market in some countries for some years now.
Conversely, lotions, creams and sprays containing non-insecticidal substances are available.
These act physically, not chemically, against head lice by suffocating them.
Such products can be based on silicone-oil complexes (dimethicone and cyclomethicone), oxyphthirin and coconut oil.
These products should be used in conjunction with a lice comb to remove the parasites.
Some people might be tempted to try traditional remedies such as mayonnaise, onion juice and white vinegar, or essential oils, to get rid of lice.
However, there is no scientific consensus on the effectiveness of these natural treatments.
Note that essential oils can cause allergic reactions on the scalps of young children.
For added precaution, it’s important to inspect the scalps of all family members if any of them are found to have head lice.
You should also disinfect all fabrics and objects that may have been infected by these parasites.
Be sure to machine-wash sheets and pillowcases, as well as any clothing in contact with the scalp or neck, at a temperature above 50 degrees Celcius.
Brushes and combs should be soaked in an insecticide solution for around 10 minutes.
They can be reused a few days after disinfection.
A child with head lice can usually still go to school or nursery.
However, it is advisable to inform the teaching or daycare staff so that preventive measures can be taken.
If your child has long hair, be sure to tie it back to limit the risk of transmission.
Parents can feel guilty when their child has head lice, but there’s nothing to be ashamed of.
The presence of these insects is in no way linked to hygiene issues.
Every year, more than 100 million people worldwide are affected by head lice, according to a study published in 2010 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
This benign condition mainly affects children aged three to 11 years. – AFP Relaxnews
