According to research head lice infestations predominantly affect the age group. When treating head lice, supplemental measures can be combined with recommended medicine pharmacologic treatment. Body lice, pediculus humanus corporis, live on clothing and bedding used by infested persons. Nits are lice eggs laid by the adult female head louse at the base of the hair shaft nearest the scalp. The best way to find head lice is to take your child to a well lit area, use a magnifying glass and a finetooth comb and inspect the base of the hair shafts within a. Infestation with head lice is most common among children attending child care and elementary school, and their household members and caretakers. Head lice 101 what you should know about head lice overview head lice are a common community problem. An estimated 6 to 12 million lice infestations occur each year in the united states, most commonly among children ages 3 to 11 years old. The centers for disease control and prevention cdc cannot attest to the accuracy of a nonfederal website.
Body lice must feed on blood and only move to the skin to feed. Head lice and head lice nits are found almost exclusively on the scalp, particularly around and behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the head. After each treatment, checking the hair and combing with a nit comb to remove nits and lice every 23 days may decrease the chance of selfreinfestation. The egg or nit, nymph or larvae, and adult lice can be easily seen. The lice feed on human blood that can cause severe local itching.
An estimated 6 to 12 million cases of head lice infestation occur each year in the united states in children 3 to 11 years of age, according to the centers for disease control and prevention. You can get rid of head lice with proper treatment. Therefore, a thorough examination of the hair and scalp is necessary to find head lice or nits. Textbooks and papers containing scholarly discourses the biology of head lice and their susceptibility to variety of insecticides abound, but there practical, working guide for by health departments, school systems, and other institutions, in controlling head lice. Of course, they dont carry disease or cause symptoms beyond a little itching. However, much less frequently they are spread by sharing clothing or belongings onto which lice have crawled or nits attached to shed hairs may have fallen. Head lice are parasitic insects that can be found on the head, eyebrows, and eyelashes. Head lice can live away from the human body for only 1 to 2 days. There are several options for getting rid of head lice, including creams. For individuals over the age of 2, there are several available treatments for head lice infestations, some of.
Treatment for head lice use lice treatment as directed. There are no serious or longterm health problems associated with head lice. Head lice live only on humansthey do not live on pets. To clear lice from the home pest control sprays can be harmful to children and should not be used in the home. Many flea combs made for cats and dogs are also effective. Head lice management in the school setting national.
Personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home or school has nothing to do with getting head lice. Wash all washable clothing including hats, scarves, and coats. Head lice overview in an effort to control the spread of head lice, we ask that you carefully inspect your childs scalp at least once a week. Lice head lice resources for health professionals cdc. It is beneficial for the sake of others to share information with school nurses, parents of classmates, and others about contact with head lice. Pediculosis is the most prevalent parasitic infestation among humans1 head lice infestations are pervasive among schoolage children in the united states2,3 612 million infestations occur each year in children 3 to 11 years of age3 more common in females4 all socioeconomic groups are affected2,4 contrary to myth, head lice prefer clean. Girls get head lice more often than boys, women more than men.
The risk of getting infested by a louse that has fallen onto a carpet or furniture is very small. Head lice are small tan to grayishwhite insects, about the size of a sesame seed and have six legs. Head lice infestations occur in all socioeconomic groups, are not an indication of poor. You should examine your childs head, especially behind the ears and at the nape of the neck, for crawling lice and nits if your child exhibits symptoms of a head. Head to head contact with an infested person is the most common way to get head lice.
You should examine your childs head, especially behind the ears and at the nape of the neck, for crawling lice and nits if your child exhibits symptoms of a head lice infestation. If crawling lice or nits are found, all household members should be examined for crawling lice and nits every 2 3 days. Head lice live on blood they draw from the scalp and lay tiny, graywhite eggs known as nits on a hair shaft near the scalp. These different types of lice are named for the parts of. Lice can live up to 30 days on a persons head and lay from 50150 eggs. Itching is the most common symptom of head lice infestation, but those with a light infestation 15 lice may not complain. The following fact sheets provided in english and spanish are free and can be downloaded and printed off in black and white or color to be distributed to parents, caregivers, and school staff to help educate and inform about head lice lice fact sheets english. All licekilling products are pesticides and must be used with caution. Head lice information for parents from cdc you should examine your childs head, especially behind the ears and at the nape of the neck, for crawling lice and nits if your child exhibits symptoms of a head lice infestation. Lice are a type of tiny insect that feeds on blood. They do not spread disease and, therefore, are not considered a health hazard. Getting rid of head lice utah department of health.
Contact a physician for treatment of a child under the age of 2. An estimated 6 to 12 million infestations occur each year in the united states, most commonly among children ages 3 to 11 years old. Although they pose no direct threat, head lice, if. The study in south africa challenges the generally accepted concept that head lice infestation refers to lower socioeconomic status. The formulation of malathion approved in the united states for the treatment of head lice is a lotion that is safe and effective when used as directed. Head lice are spread most commonly by direct headtohead hairtohair contact.
Anyone may become infested with head lice, regardless of age, sex, race, or standards of personal. They are hard to see and are often confused for dandruff or. Head lice infest the head and neck and attach their eggs to the base of the hair shaft. Head lice infestation, or pediculosis, is spread most commonly by close persontoperson contact. Head lice can be a nuisance but they have not been shown to spread disease. Learn more about this type of lice and how to treat an infestation, cdc head lice. The importance and difficulty of correctly diagnosing an active head lice infestation should be emphasized. Any human with hair can get a head lice infestation. Pediculosis head lice infestation disease fact sheet series what is pediculosis head lice. Worldwide prevalence of head lice volume 14, number 9. Head lice can infest people of all ages, but preschool and elementaryage children between ages 3. Head lice are parasitic insects found on the heads of people. Head lice feed on human blood several times a day and live close to human scalp. Head lice hold tightly to hair with hooklike claws at the end of each of their six legs.
The word louse is used to refer to a single one head lice parasite. Head lice can also be seen in group settings, such as sports teams and camps. Nits are firmly attached to the hair shaft and are ovalshaped and very small about the size of a knot in. In the united states, head lice infestations are most common among preschool and elementary schoolage children and their household members regardless of socioeconomic status and hygienic living conditions centers for disease control and prevention cdc, 20a. Children attending preschool or elementary school, and those who live with them, are the most commonly affected.
Nit head lice egg combs, often found in lice medicine packages, should be used to comb nits and lice from the hair shaft. Both the american academy of pediatrics aap and the national association of school nurses nasn advocate that nonit policies should be discontinued. A common pediatric condition pediculosis is the most prevalent parasitic infestation among humans1 head lice infestations are pervasive among schoolage children in the united states2,3 612 million infestations occur each year in children 3 to 11 years of age3 more common in females4 all socioeconomic groups are affected24. The warmth from the scalp is needed for the eggs to hatch. Pediculosis is an infestation of head lice on the hair of the head. Head lice manual georgia department of public health. Pediculosis head lice infestation disease fact sheet. View abstract cite this article email this article since the 1800s, the only known vector of. According to the centers for disease control and prevention cdc, anyone who comes in close contact with someone who already has head lice is at greatest risk for infestation. A second treatment is recommended if live lice still are present 79 days after treatment. Linking to a nonfederal website does not constitute an endorsement by cdc or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. Nits are lice eggs laid at the base of hair shaft nearest. Headtohead contact with an already infested person is the most common way you get head lice.
Dogs, cats, and other pets do not play a role in the transmission of. Lice eggs are usually found firmly attached to the base of the hair shaft. The social detriment of head lice is the most important reason to treat them. After treatment, check hair and comb with a nit comb every 23 days to remove. Nits are firmly attached to the hair shaft and are ovalshaped and very small about the size of a knot in thread and hard to see. For example, hats, scarves, pillow cases, bedding, clothing, and towels worn or used by the infested person in the. Anyone who comes into close contact with someone who already has head lice, contaminated clothing, and other belongings, may be. Head lice hold tightly to the hair with hooklike claws at the end of. Head lice fact sheet texas department of state health. Lice treatments can be harmful if not used correctly.
586 1048 1165 64 1432 444 136 469 1519 1037 267 264 889 81 417 1349 1268 170 1121 315 698 1003 1451 1060 20 747 845 51 438 1234 33 585 1112 83 639 398 834 305