Do I Have Lice Or Am I Just Paranoid?

Head lice are small, parasitic insects that dwell on the human scalp and feed on the blood of their unfortunate hosts. They can breed rapidly, and are very difficult to get rid of without the proper treatment. To make matters worse, their presence and activity on the human scalp can cause sores and relentless itching, becoming a tremendous nuisance to your everyday life and happiness. So is the current itching in your scalp the early signs of a head lice problem, or are you just paranoid? In this article, we will discuss the signs of lice along with other possible explanations for your new levels of discomfort.

If It Is Head Lice

In spite of all the advances humanity has made in the fields of science and medicine, there is still only one way to confirm whether or not a person has head lice: physical inspection. Head lice are small, annoying, and stubborn, and they can spread as quickly as a bad smell, but fortunately for us, they are still large enough to see with the naked eye. If you are suspicious that your current itching could possibly be head lice, there is no harm in being proactive and scheduling a visit to a nearby head lice clinic for an evaluation. Head lice are visible, as well as the nits they create in your hair to lay eggs and their presence can be easily verified by a professional. What you should never do is presume you have head lice, without a professional inspection, and proceed to purchase harsh, over-the-counter chemicals to treat the potentially non-existing pests in your hair. If the itch you are experiencing is caused by something else, these harsh chemicals can make things significantly worse. Always speak to a professional first, then you can seek treatment as promptly as possible.

If It Is Not Head Lice

So, do I have lice or am I paranoid? The answer could very well be paranoia or phobia, but there could be reasonable explanations behind your new itch. Once you have consented to a professional inspection that discovers no evidence of head lice, you may begin racking your brain to discover the possible explanations for your itchy scalp, which include:

1. Allergies

2. New shampoo or a hair care product

3. Hot or Cold weather

4. Dandruff

5. Dermatitis or other skin conditions affecting your scalp

6. Psychosomatic Lice – or otherwise known as “Phantom Lice”

Psychosomatic lice is an emotional response that manifests in a physical way, similar to a nervous twitch. It is most commonly caused by a person becoming hyper-aware of the nerve endings in their scalp (like when you become aware of your breathing) so that the slightest sensation can create a signal of discomfort to their brain. It can be triggered by knowing that you were recently around someone with head lice, or even simply by hearing (or reading) about it. When this situation occurs, the simple motion of hair follicles being moved by air around you can trigger an itch, leading you to scratch the affected area as a response. Do this enough times and you will begin to damage the surface of your scalp and create a genuine physical cause for further itching by the presence of new bacteria introduced to your scalp by your hands and fingernails. 

Lice Removal in Greenville, SC

Head lice can be a hassle to deal with. If you or someone you know has been exposed, it is important to check for lice before potentially spreading them to others. Here at Lice Clinics of America, we offer a chemical-free head lice treatment that guarantees a lice-free scalp in just one hour. If you are in need of lice removal in Greenville, SC or in Anderson, SC, visit our website and schedule an appointment at one of our clinics, today.