What causes lice on the head and how can they be eliminated? - briefly
Head lice arise from direct head‑to‑head contact with an infested individual or from sharing personal items such as combs, hats, or bedding. Effective elimination requires a pediculicide treatment combined with meticulous combing using a fine‑toothed lice comb to remove live insects and nits.
What causes lice on the head and how can they be eliminated? - in detail
Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are tiny, wingless insects that live on the scalp and feed on human blood. Infestation occurs when live lice are transferred from one person to another, typically through direct head‑to‑head contact.
The primary factors contributing to an outbreak include:
- Close physical interaction in schools, day‑care centers, or sports teams.
- Sharing personal items such as hats, hairbrushes, headphones, or helmets.
- Inadequate inspection of hair after contact with an infested individual.
- Overcrowded living conditions that facilitate frequent head contact.
Effective eradication relies on a combination of chemical and mechanical interventions:
- Apply a pediculicide shampoo or lotion containing approved active ingredients (e.g., permethrin 1 % or dimethicone) according to label directions.
- After treatment, comb wet hair with a fine‑toothed lice comb at 5‑minute intervals for at least two weeks to remove surviving lice and nits.
- Wash clothing, bedding, and personal items in hot water (≥ 60 °C) or seal them in plastic bags for two weeks to kill any detached organisms.
- Repeat the chemical treatment after 7–10 days to eliminate newly hatched lice that survived the first application.
Preventive measures reduce the risk of recurrence:
- Encourage regular head examinations, especially in children aged 3–11.
- Discourage sharing of headgear, hair accessories, and personal grooming tools.
- Maintain a low‑density environment in group settings; limit prolonged head‑to‑head contact.
By addressing the sources of transmission and implementing a systematic treatment protocol, head‑lice infestations can be eliminated efficiently and sustainably.