HEAD LICE: FACTS AND
FALLACIES
by Tony Pearce RN.
Specialist Trichologist, National Trichology
Services
There are many myths and rumors
associated with contracting and treating head lice.
To help dispel some of these seemingly perennial
misconceptions I have been asked to provide this
information sheet.
'Pediculosis Capitis' in the
medical term for head lice. Head lice are tiny mites
that live in human hair. Head lice spend their
lifecycle on the human scalp and survive by sucking
the host's blood - in much the same way as a
mosquito.
The female louse lays about 6-9
small white eggs (called nits) per night when the
host is still. The nits are cemented to the hair
shaft close to the scalp; the temperature of the
scalp being ideal for their maturing and hatching.
The nits hatch in about 6-7 days,
with the new lice reaching maturity in about 10
days. Adult lice live for about 20-30 days.
Head lice multiply quickly, and
are not only a distressing annoyance but in some
countries can also carry serious diseases like
typhus and trench fever.
Tell Tale Signs
- Persistent, intense itching
of the back of the head or neck. (The intense
itching is a result of an allergic reaction to
the lice's saliva).
- Tiny white specks firmly
attached near the base of individual hair. These
are the 'nits' or eggs.
- Seeing the mites themselves.
How does head lice spread?
- Direct. close contact or by
shared combs, brushes or caps.
- Can also travel from one head
to another on a towel, pillow or seat/chair
headrest.
- Borrowing ribbons, scarves or
other head coverings.
- Because head lice prefer an
undisturbed environment, they are more commonly
seen in people with longer hair and/or who don't
wash/brush their hair regularly.
Some common myths
- Head lice do not only go to
clean hair.
- Head lice cannot fly but can
jump from person to person.
- They do not live in pillows
or mattresses and come out at night!.
Treatment
- Consult a qualified health
professional such as your family doctor.
- Modern commercial
preparations will usually eradicate infestations
in a one step shampooing treatment. Again,
consult your doctor or pharmacist.
- Following treatment remove
dead mites and nits with a tine-toothed
(preferably metal) 'nit comb' Robi-combs are
reported to be quite effective in trapping mites
and nits.
- Head lice are very
contagious. and it is advisable that all family
members be treated promptly and at the same time
- Thoroughly wash, dryclean or
dispose of any items that came in contact with
the infested scalp These items would include
brushes, combs, hairclips, caps, ribbons and
hairdressing or household linen.
Some Important Points!
- The white shells that can
easily be seen is the louse's natural
diversionary camouflage. These shells are empty
and harmless.
- The living eggs are laid
close to the scalp as the hair grows outward to
reveal previously undetected eggs.
- Treatment failure may then be
assumed as the hair grows outward to reveal
previously undetected eggs.
If an effective louse/ovicide
treatment has been used, no mobile stages of lice
will be detected and re-treatment is not necessary
A trichologist is a non-medical
specialist of hair loss and scalp problems.
About the Author: Tony Pearce is a Specialist
Trichologist & Registered Nurse. He is a founding
member of the Society for Progressive Trichology &
the official lecturer for Analytical Reference
Laboratory (ARL) for hair loss & hormone imbalance.
In Australia he can be contacted on +61 2 9542 2700,
or through his website at
www.hairlossclinic.com.au.
Copyright Anthony Pearce
Copyright
Anthony Pearce 2005. *References for this article
available on request
 |
