Head Lice are contagious microscopic parasites that live in your hair, close to your scalp. Unlike Body Lice, Head lice are not capable of carrying illnesses or diseases. Head lice have to feed off of another living thing in order to survive. Their source of food and nutrition is human blood that they get from biting your scalp. However, they can’t fly, aren’t airborne, and can’t survive for long when separated from their host. We know this might be frightening, but there’s a variety of treatments that can be used to take care of these parasites. The first part of checking for lice is to identify the issue.  Here’s a list of common signs and symptoms to look out for if you or someone you know may be carrying lice. 

• Intense itching: This occurs on the scalp for head lice, the insects cause irritation and inflammation when they bite the scalp for sustenance. 
• The tickling feeling from the movement of hair: This is caused by the lice repositioning themselves and ambulating on your scalp
• Lice on our scalp: Adult lice are typically about the size of sesame seeds or slightly larger, at this stage they can begin to lay lice eggs or nits on hair shafts
• The presence of nits: Given that the adult lice are so small, their eggs are even smaller, they may be difficult to perceive because they’re so tiny. They’re usually easiest to spot near the ears or the base of the scalp near the neck. They are easily mistaken for dandruff, but unlike dandruff, they cannot be brushed out of hair easily
• Sores on the scalp, neck, and shoulders: Due to the irritation caused by lice, and the natural inclination to scratch the affected area, scratching can lead to small red bumps that can occasionally be infected with the presence of bacteria. 
• Bite Marks: These precede the sores, but come after the intense itching feeling and can be spotted with an examination of the scalp. 

See a lice specialist like Lice Clinics of America in Greenville & Anderson, if you suspect a lice infestation or need lice treatment. Things that can be mistaken for nits often include:

• Dandruff
• Residue from hair products
• Bead of dead hair tissue on a hair shaft (aka hair cast)
• Scabs, dirt, or other debris and detritus
• Other small insects found in the hair. 

When lice infest the human scalp area, the female louse produces a sticky substance that adheres each egg to the base of a hair shaft. These eggs hatch usually in six to nine days. 

Transmission of these parasites occurs when people come into contact with lice or their eggs. A common misconception is that lice jump or fly. This is untrue. Head lice spread through: 

• Head to head contact

For effective and safe treatment of lice head over to the Lice Clinics of America in Greenville & Anderson, South Carolina. Our expert staff will allow patients (children and parents alike) to get back to living an uninfested life. Don’t we have enough on our plates right now without having to scratch our heads more than necessary?