You’d be amazed to know; even the common head louse enjoys a unique scientific name. In fact, head lice are the most studied parasites, especially because they are the oldest known parasite that affects humans.
Known as pediculosis, the common human head louse is an obligate ectoparasite that causes infestations.
A single louse can inflict a boatload of terror in parents! This is why lice removal specialists at Lice Troopers have framed the following help guide for parents dealing with head lice.
What Do Head Lice Look Like?
Adult head lice are no bigger than two to three mm in length— the size of a sesame seed. These little critters are wingless, have six legs (ending with a claw) and are tan or gray-white in color. Lice are small
but we can still see them with the naked eye!
A female adult louse lays up to 100 eggs (each day), only 24 hours after mating. You can find these eggs (or nits as they are also called) on the hair shaft close to the scalp. The hibernation period of lice eggs is only 7-10 days, after which they hatch. A nymph or baby louse requires only 7-10 days, turning into an adult louse after hatching. Fortunately for parents, only the adult head louse can lay eggs!
How to Spot Nymphs
They are transparent, except for their dark center. It’s very difficult to spot nymphs as these sit flush on the scalp. You will need a magnifying glass, tweezers or long nails to remove them.
How to Spot Nits
Lice eggs are the size of a poppy seed. They are tightly attached at an angle (to the hair shaft) as if with glue! Nits are commonly found near the ears and nape of the neck. They are grayish-white or yellowish in color, which is why people often mistake dandruff for nits and vice versa.
Sure Symptoms of a Head Lice Infestation
Incredibly hard to see (unless very close), people often realize they have lice because of these symptoms or signs of some activity in their head:
You feel something is moving inside the head
You get the urge to scratch your scalp
You see dandruff-like flakes lodged tightly on hair strands
You have trouble sleeping at night due to irritation
You see red bumps on your scalp or nape due to head lice bites
How Do Head Lice Spread?
Close head-to-head contact is responsible for the majority of head lice infestations. Usage of another person’s grooming tools and hair accessories is also considered a reason by the lice specialists at Lice Troopers.
Lice don’t discriminate, i.e. people who shower everyday are at the same risk level as people who don’t.
Some other facts to keep in mind about this household menace are:
Lice can’t jump
A louse’s feeding supply is your scalp, i.e. it drinks blood once or more often every day
Lice cannot survive for more than a day (at room temperature) without an available blood supply
It’s possible to get rid of head lice
and prevent a re-infestation
Yes, dealing with lice infestations is certainly dirty business. However, parents can take their newly infected kids straight to professional lice clinics in Kendall for a thorough inspection and removal! You can even ask us to come home and conduct a clean-up as follow up care after professional treatment. So,
get lice free today!
