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Head Lice
Head lice are tiny, wingless parasitic insects that live among human hairs. They are very common, especially for children ages 3 to 12, and more frequently girls. Head lice are also very contagious ... and have nothing to do with a child's hygiene or cleanliness.
Symptoms
- Itchy and inflamed scalp
- Lice eggs (nits) that look like tiny yellow, tan, or brown dots before they hatch.
- After hatching (which takes 1 to 2 weeks), the remaining shell looks white or clear.
- Nymphs (baby lice) are smaller than adult lice; they become adult lice about 7 days after they hatch.
- Adult lice are about the size of a sesame seed. They are dark tan, although they can look darker when in darker hair.
Treatment
Call your child's healthcare provider if you suspect that your child has head lice, or if your child is scratching his/her scalp or other areas with body hair. Your child's healthcare provider or a pharmacist can recommend a medicated shampoo, cream, or lotion to kill the lice. He/she may also suggest a special rinse to use on your child's hair that makes it easier to comb out the nits.
Seek medical advice if prescription or over-the-counter medications are not successful. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/lice.