What are lice in a child? - briefly
Lice are tiny, wingless insects that infest a child's scalp, feeding on blood and attaching their eggs, called nits, to hair shafts. Infestation causes itching and spreads primarily through close head‑to‑head contact.
What are lice in a child? - in detail
Lice that affect children are small, wing‑less insects of the species Pediculus humanus capitis. Adults measure 2–4 mm, have a flattened body and cling to hair shafts with clawed legs. The life cycle includes egg (nit), nymph and adult stages; development from egg to adult requires 7–10 days under optimal temperature (30 °C) and humidity (70 %). An adult female lays 5–10 eggs per day, attaching them to the base of hair shafts near the scalp.
Transmission occurs through direct head‑to‑head contact, which is common during play, school activities and sports. Sharing combs, hats, helmets or pillows can also spread infestations, especially in crowded environments. Children aged 3–11 years exhibit the highest prevalence due to frequent close contact.
Typical manifestations include:
- Persistent itching, especially behind the ears and at the nape of the neck
- Visible live insects moving on the scalp
- Small, white, oval eggs attached to hair shafts, often found 1 cm from the scalp
- Irritation or redness of the skin from scratching
Diagnosis relies on visual inspection of the scalp and hair. A fine‑toothed lice comb can reveal live lice and nits. Microscopic examination is unnecessary in most cases; confirmation is achieved by finding at least one live louse or several viable nits within 1 cm of the scalp.
Effective treatment options comprise:
- Topical pediculicides – permethrin 1 % or dimethicone 4 % applied to dry hair, left for the recommended duration, then rinsed.
- Mechanical removal – wet combing with a fine‑toothed lice comb at 2‑day intervals for 10 days to eliminate newly hatched nymphs.
- Second‑dose application – repeat of the initial pediculicide 7–9 days after the first treatment to target any surviving eggs.
- Environmental control – washing clothing, bedding and towels in hot water (≥ 60 °C) or sealing them in a plastic bag for 48 hours; vacuuming furniture and car seats to remove stray hairs bearing nits.
Preventive measures focus on reducing head contact and limiting shared items. Regular inspection of hair, especially after outbreaks in schools, helps early detection. Educating caregivers about proper use of lice combs and correct application of pediculicides minimizes reinfestation risk.
By adhering to these diagnostic and therapeutic protocols, infestations in children can be resolved efficiently, limiting discomfort and preventing spread.