What are head lice?
Also known as pediculosis, are wingless parasites that live on the human scalp feeding on exclusively the human blood. During their life cycle, lice deposit their eggs on the human hair and clothing. The incidence usually occurs between September and November when students are back to school and 70% of cases occur in children younger than 12 years with scratching as a common symptom.
Important facts
- This insect does not jump or fly from person to person, they spread through direct head-to-head contact with infected people through sharing hats, hair brushes, pillows, clothing, and headphones
- Hygiene is not a causing factor
- Head lice do not contribute to the spread of other diseases
- No need to shave the head to get rid of the lice
- Using chemical hair dyes is not the solution
- It does not cause hair loss
Management
- Wash clothes and bedlinen with hot water and drying
- Regular vacuuming of carpets and furniture
- Avoid scratching
- Avoid physical contact and sharing of personal belonging
Treatment
- Shampoo hair and towel dry properly
- Apply Permethrin 5% solution on the scalp for 10 minutes then rinse
- Comb hair with lice comb