subject: What To Do If You Have A Head Lice Infestation [print this page] What To Do If You Have A Head Lice Infestation
Head lice infestation, surprisingly, is a common thing. Nearly one in every 10 children in school will acquire head lice with an estimated annual cost of $1 billion in the Unites States alone.
Anyone who comes in close contact with someone else with lice is at risk for it being passed on to them. It can be transferred through contaminated clothing and other belongings. Children at school are highly susceptible as kids are frequently in contact with one another. School-aged children between the ages of 3 and 10 and their families are infected most often. Girls have it more often than boys and women more than men.
You might ask, what are head lice? Well, they are parasites commonly found on people's heads. If you are infected with lice it is called pediculosis. The singular for lice is louse. They are most frequently found behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the neck. They will hold on to the hair with hook-like claws found at the end of each of their six legs. Lice are rarely found anywhere else on the body, eyelashes or eyebrows.
Avoid wearing any infested clothing such as hats, scarves, sports uniforms, hair ribbons or infested combs, brushes or towels.
Once you have identified the lice by looking closely at the hair and scalp you have to find a suitable treatment. Locating an adult can sometimes be difficult as they tend to jump around from searching hands. It has become more difficult to treat because lice are becoming immune to common chemicals and pesticides used for treatment. The easiest way is a using a natural and safe remedy so as not to have a re-infestation.
