Head Lice in Children

Head lice, also known as pediculus humanus capitis, are a type of parasitic insect that live in the hair and scalp of children and adults. According to the Directors of Health Promotion and Education, lice develop in three forms: nits, nymphs and adults.

• Head Lice in Children

Significance

• Nits, or lice eggs, are often mistaken for dandruff flakes but are actually yellow and white ovals that attach to the hair shaft. Nits take one week to hatch into nymph form. Nymphs feed on blood to survive and develop into adult lice within seven days. Adult lice are the size of a sesame seed and can survive up to 30 days on a child's scalp.

Spreading of Lice

• Lice are easily spread by direct contact. Children easily catch lice by sitting next to other infested children at school or by sharing infected clothing, combs and towels.

Prevention/Solution

• Prevent your child from acquiring a lice infestation by avoiding direct contact with infected people and their personal belongings. Teach your child not to share personal belongings such as brushes, hats and headphones that could transmit the lice insect.

Treatment

• Children who develop an infestation of head lice are diagnosed with pediculosis. Effectively treating lice infestation involves treating the infected individual and entire family and household with pediculicide, a lice-killing medication.

Misconceptions

• Lice are unable to jump or fly from an infected person to another person or object. Children who have a lice infestation cannot pass the parasites to family pets or animals.