Head lice: a mini-guide

Pediculosis is an infestation caused by the head louse. It is a parasitosis that spreads very quickly and against which there are no real methods of prevention. However, its spread can be limited with correct behaviour.

Description

Pediculosis capitis is a frequent infestation in schools, colonies and other environments and situations where there is a lot of contact between people. In fact, contagion occurs through hair contact between person and person Contrary to what is often believed, it is not a problem typical of dirty people with poor hygiene. Nor is it a problem with serious health consequences: in fact, head lice do not transmit any disease even though they cause social discomfort.

Causes

Pediculosis is caused by head lice, small parasitic insects that feed on human blood. To do so, they prick the skin and inject a stinging liquid into it.
24 to 48 hours after mating, the lice deposit eggs known as nits, which attach firmly to the hair and from which nymphs are formed, which after 7 to 13 days become adult lice capable of reproduction. Fortunately, head lice do not survive more than 2-3 days away from the body.

Symptoms

The itching typical of pediculosis appears only a few weeks after the first bites because the lice saliva also contains an anaesthetic. As time passes, an allergic reaction develops, sometimes associated with swollen lymph nodes. The itching, initially limited to the area where the first eggs are present, gradually extends to the entire nape of the neck and the upper part of the trunk.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on the presence of itching, nits and the adult insect. The lice must be alive, and in the presence of only nits, which may not contain the parasite, one cannot speak of pediculosis.
To identify and collect insects and eggs, one can use the so-called wet combing, which consists of combing the hair from root to tip with a fine-toothed comb and a lot of conditioner.

Treatment

Over four consecutive days, apply an anti-adherence conditioner and carefully go over the hair with a nit comb. After seven days, apply one final treatment. In doing so, the lice and nits will be eliminated in less than two weeks.
Discontinue use of any pesticides due to toxicity to children and the resistance of lice to such treatments.
In more serious cases of lice, it may be necessary to shave the hair to 2 mm in order to eliminate lice and eggs.

Prevention

To avoid contact with other people’s hair and, therefore, to reduce the likelihood of a lice infection, it could be a good idea to keep hair short or close cropped.
If a child has lice, their schoolmates, family members and other people with whom they regularly come into close contact with should be checked.