Lice

Head lice are parasites that can be found on the heads of people. Infection with head lice is called pediculosis. Head lice infection is very common. It has been estimated that up to one in every 10 children in school acquires head lice at some time. In one study, the estimated annual cost of head lice infestations in the United States was nearly $1 billion dollars.
Anyone who comes in close contact with someone who already has head lice, or even their contaminated clothing and other belongings, is at risk for acquiring head lice. Preschool and elementary school children (3-10 years of age) and their families are infected most often. Girls contract head lice more often than boys; women more often than men. African-Americans rarely acquire head lice.
A child can contract head lice in a number of ways. If they come in contact with an already infested person. Ths is common during play, school, or sports activities, and at school, home, slumber parties, or camp. They also wearing infested clothing, such as hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms, or hair ribbons.
There are three forms of lice, namely the nit, the nymph, and the adult louse:Nits are lice eggs. Nits are hard to see and are often confused with dandruff or hair spray droplets. Nits are found firmly attached to the hair shaft. They are oval and usually yellow to white. Nits take about a week to hatch.The nit hatches into a baby louse called a nymph. It looks like an adult head louse, but is smaller. Nymphs mature into adults about seven days after hatching. To live, the nymph must feed on blood.The adult louse is about the size of a sesame seed, has six legs, and is tan to grayish-white in color. In people with dark hair, the adult louse looks darker.
For effective elimination of head lice, the infested individual, family members that are also infested, and the home must all be treated. Over-the Counter(OTC) or prescription medications are used to treat the affected people and their families.So if you didnt know much abouthead lice, now you do. This is very important iformation. We need to know!!


(MedicineNet.com)