Symptoms Of Head Lice

Another commonly asked question regarding head lice that many people who have never experienced the symptoms of head lice is where where are head lice found? Head lice can be found everywhere and anywhere when there is an affected person, but most commonly lice can be found on the scalp of the host person. Check behind the ears and baseline of the neck (the back of the neck)these places are quite common. Head lice are nasty little critters with mean little claws that they use to “dig in” to the scalp of the affected person. Lice have six legs so I am sure you know the math.

Rarely is lice found on the affected person’s body, but that is not to say that it does not happen. As well lice are rarely found on places like eyelashes or eyebrows, but have in some cases been found in bodily hair. Once people know what to look for when learning about lice the next logical question is what are the symptoms of head lice infestations? Some of the most common symptoms of head lice are as follows:

1.  An all to familiar itchy or ticklish feeling as if something was moving in the affected persons hair

2.  Constant itching that comes from being biten by the lice. (An allergic reaction)

3.  The scalp of the affected person may experience sores from the constant scratching caused by the itching  of the allergic reaction of the bites. One must be vigilant as those sores can become infected and add to the complications of the infestation.

4.  The whole situation can make the affected person quite irritable.

How are the symptoms of a head lice infestation diagnosed? Naturally, since head lice affect the head a complete and thorough inspection of the scalp of the affected person is in order. The person doing the inspecting, whether that person be a health care professional or a family member must look for signs of “nits”, “nymphs” and/or “adult” lice. Nymphs and adult lice are very adroit and avoiding detection as their numbers on the scalp of the affected person are low and they move away from searching fingers very quickly. Evidence of “nits” close to the scalp at the hair shaft will confirm that there is a lice infestation on the scalp of the affected person. It is possible that if the “nits” are more than a quarter of an inch away from the affected person scalp that this infestation has been around for a while and could be an old infestation.

If the person that is doing the inspection of the affected person is not a health care professional and that person is not sure if the person has a head lice infestation then the inspection and diagnosis ought to be made by a health care professional such as a school nurse or someone from your nearby health department.
One the diagnosis has been made then it is time to treat the symptoms of head lice with the proper regimen.

It is best noted that if one member of a family is infected that in order to have effective elimination of the infestation that all family members and the home be treated for the head lice infestation. If not treated there is the possibility that the infestation can come back. There is a myriad of over the counter (OTC) and prescription options available for the treatment of symptoms of head lice infestation for affected persons and their families and home. Here are some of the treatment steps:

Clothing, remove clothing that could be infested. It could possibly be even more than the clothes on your back. Follow the instructions on the box or label of the treatment option that you have chosen and apply the lice medicine. (pediculicide)

After the treatment have the affected person and all others put on clean clothes.  Follow the instructions on the label of the chosen treatment and comb out dead lice as directed.

Repeat the treatment as prescribed by the label of the treatment you have chosen to follow.

Check the affected person and all others for up to three weeks or until you feel that you are sure that the infestation is gone. Check the instructions on the label.

If you do what the label/instructions of your chosen treatment method prescribes then you will be well on you way to getting rid of head lice and the symptoms of head lice.

This article is educational in nature and is not to be construed as offering medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or other health care professional before using this information.

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• The Robi-Comb Electronic Head Lice Comb
• Licenex Kills Head Lice
• The Lice-Buster Book: What to Do When Your Child Comes Home with Head Lice
• Nit Free Lice Infestation Removal Shampoo Clinically Proven Safe Head Lice Removal
• The Licemeister Comb
• Liceguard Repellent Spray For Head Lice Remova

• Symptoms Of Head Lice
• Home Remedy For Head Lice Pt.1
• Home Remedy For Head Lice Pt.2
• Home Remedy For Head Lice Pt.3