Headlice

There are a lot of school kids that are infected with headlice. This may sound simple infestation but if not treated properly, it can infect others including the family members. Headlice is common, it is a small parasitic insect that thrive only on human scalp. If someone is infected with headlice, it does not mean lack of hygiene, as a matter of fact it affects any socio-economic group wether rich or poor . It is more common in girls than boys.

The lice produce 6 eggs a day, cement thier eggs (nits) near to the scalp and hatch between 7-10 days. By ten days the remnants of hatch eggs are far from the scalp and can be visibly seen, if hair shafts are parted. They can live upto 40 days, lay more than 100 eggs, bites and feed on human blood. The saliva and faecal matter of the lice can irritate the scalp causing itchiness. The individual scratch the scalp, causing soreness with open wound. This leads to secondary bacterial infection (Impetigo).

The headlice are acquired by direct contact (head to head), when kids are playing. It takes 30 seconds to tranfer to the other scalp of an individual. The headlice are also acquired indirectly through shared hats, combs, and pillows. Confirmation of headlice is through direct examination of the scalp with good lighting, sometimes a magnifier can help.

It can be cured with the use of pediculicides, although resistance to this treatment has been documented. Physical methods is also useful, removing the lice and their eggs through repeated combing. It is easier if the hair is wet and use a fine toothed comb. The common pediculicides are MALATHION, SYNTHETIC PYRETHROIDS and CARBARYL. Follow the instruction as directed by your health practitioners, usually treatment are left for 12 hours before being washed off. To completely irradicate the headlice and nits, it requires 2 applications 7 days apart.

Your local pharmacist can be consulted for resistance cases in your locality and different pediculicide is usually recommended. Some health practitioners rotate the different treatment to prevent resistance to them. There are reported cases where kerosene is use to treat headlice, it is not recommended since it is a hazardous and higly flammable. The skin on the scalp can absorb the chemicals causing neurological problems. It is advisable to consult your health practitioner for best treatment.