Lice (Pediculosis): Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Head lice are very small insects roughly the size of a sesame seed, living on the human scalp and feeding on small amounts of blood several times a day, laying their eggs (nits) which stick firmly to the hair roots near the scalp. Lice are among the most common problems among school and kindergarten children worldwide, and it is very important to emphasize that they are not evidence of poor hygiene or neglect, as they affect children of various levels and cleanliness.

Lice spread mainly through direct head-to-head contact (as often happens during children's play), and to a lesser degree through sharing combs, hats, and pillows. It is important to know that lice do not fly or jump but crawl. The most prominent symptoms of lice infestation are itching of the scalp, behind the ears, and the back of the neck, which is an allergic reaction to their bites, and the itching may be delayed weeks after the first infestation. Live lice can be seen (although they move and are hard to catch) or nits can be seen as small white or yellow spots stuck firmly to the hair (different from dandruff which falls off easily).

Lice are a bothersome but not dangerous condition and do not transmit diseases, and they are completely treatable. Treatment relies on eliminating lice and nits using special lice-killing preparations (shampoo or lotion) used according to instructions and often repeated after a period to eliminate hatched eggs, in addition to careful and regular combing with a fine-toothed lice comb to remove lice and nits from wet hair. Principles of successful treatment include: checking all family members and treating the infected among them at the same time, washing recently used bedding, towels, and clothes with hot water, and avoiding sharing combs and hats. It is useful to teach children not to touch their heads together, and to check the child's head periodically, especially when lice are spreading in school.

• Itching of the scalp, behind the ears, and the back of the neck.
• The presence of nits (white or yellow spots stuck firmly to the hair).
• Seeing live lice sometimes.
• Itching may be delayed weeks after the first infestation.

• Lice insects that live on the scalp and feed on blood.
• Transmission by direct head-to-head contact (the most common).
• Sometimes sharing combs, hats, and pillows.
• (Not evidence of poor hygiene, and lice do not fly or jump.)

• Examining the scalp and hair to see live lice or nits.
• Distinguishing nits (stuck firmly) from dandruff (falls off easily).
• Examining close family members.

Eliminating lice

• Lice-killing preparations (shampoo or lotion) per instructions, often repeated after a period.
• Regular combing with a fine-toothed lice comb on wet hair.

Preventing spread

• Checking and treating infected family members together.
• Washing bedding, towels, and clothes with hot water, and avoiding sharing combs and hats.

Lice are not dangerous, do not transmit diseases, and are treatable. This content is educational and does not replace medical advice.

• A secondary bacterial infection from intense scratching.
• Spread of lice among family members and at school.
• Discomfort, anxiety, and disturbed sleep.

• Avoiding head contact and not sharing combs, hats, and pillows.
• Checking the child's head periodically, especially when lice spread at school.
• Treating all infected family members together to prevent reinfection.