We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Signs of Head Lice in Children?

By H. Lo
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 2,828
Share

Usually, the first sign of head lice in children is when they constantly scratch their heads. Little, red bumps on a child’s scalp and surrounding areas might also indicate a case of head lice. In addition, a very close look at the child’s scalp might reveal head lice, in any of their forms of development.

These very small insects thrive on the scalp and ingest blood from their victim. When these pests bite into the scalp, it causes intense itchiness. There are three stages of head lice that might be found on a person’s scalp: adult, nymph and egg. When carefully searching a child’s scalp for signs of head lice, a person might discover adults and nymphs moving around. A person might also take notice of eggs, also called nits, which are attached to individual strands of hair.

Considering the circumstances in which head lice spread, the discovery of head lice in children is common. The insects are wingless and do not fly or jump; they spread through direct contact. Children often spend much time in close quarters, such as when playing or in school, which facilitates the spread of head lice. In addition, head lice live and feed exclusively on humans and cannot survive for longer than two days if they fall off. Within these two days, fallen head lice can spread to others through contaminated items such as combs, pillows and stuffed animals.

Personal hygiene and social status have nothing to do with who contracts head lice. Children are generally at the most risk because of the frequency of their close proximity to each other. This might make it hard for schools to entirely control any infestations since head lice in children is not unusual. Girls should be very aware if an infestation does occur since they are more apt than boys to contract head lice. Preventative measures include not sharing personal belongings and not coming into close contact with someone who is known to have head lice.

The situation of head lice in children is pesky but treatable through both over-the-counter and prescription medication. Applying special lotions or shampoos to hair can kill head lice. In addition, a fine-tooth comb can help remove eggs and lice from a child’s scalp. Also, cleaning a contaminated environment by washing clothes in hot water or vacuuming the floor will help to get rid of any stray eggs or lice. To ensure that the pests are gone, it is a good idea to check and re-check treated hair over a period of about two to three weeks for signs of a re-infestation.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-signs-of-head-lice-in-children.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.