I’m a pediatrician and a mom - here’s how to treat lice without stigma
Don’t panic! Having head lice can be frustrating, but it’s not dangerous and there are effective treatments.
Head lice are tiny insects that infest children in childcare, preschool, or elementary school. They are not dangerous and do not spread disease, though they are often associated with shame and exclusion from school. As a pediatrician and mother, the author aims to treat lice effectively without fear.
Adult head lice are gray-tan insects with six legs, about the size of a sesame seed. They live on humans and feed on blood by biting the scalp. Female lice lay eggs close to the scalp, which take about 8 to 9 days to hatch.
Head lice spread through direct head-to-head contact, such as when children sit very close to each other or nap together. They can also spread when kids share objects like hats or hairbrushes, but this is less common.
Signs of lice include frequent scalp scratching due to an itchiness caused by lice saliva. It can take 4-6 weeks for a child to develop this sensitivity, so they may have had lice for a few weeks before showing symptoms.
To treat lice, use FDA-approved products like 1% permethrin lotion, pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide shampoo, or ivermectin lotion. After treatment, comb the hair with a fine-toothed comb to remove any remaining lice or eggs. If treatment doesn't work, seek professional help or use second-line therapies available by prescription.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
