Have you ever had the experience where your child pulls out a notice from their school nurse, informing you that there’s been a lice outbreak in their class or school? If it left you feeling worried, grossed out, or even a little itchy, you’re not alone. Many parents have similar reactions. Learning how to recognize and treat head lice is your best defense against an outbreak at home. Most cases of head lice can be treated using over-the-counter or prescription medications. What are lice? Lice are a type of tiny insect that feeds on blood. Three main types of lice feed on human blood: head lice, body lice, and pubic lice. These different types of lice are named for the parts of your body they’re most likely to infect. Another name for pubic …show more content…
In fact, they don’t care much about hairstyles or length. They attach themselves about 1/4 inch from your scalp. That means they can survive on most people’s heads, even people with relatively short hair. What are the symptoms of head lice? Your child might have head lice if they have: • an itchy scalp • a sensation of something crawling on their scalp • tiny spots of blood on their scalp, which can become infected The risk of infection is higher if your child scratches their scalp a lot. How do I check for lice? If you suspect that your child may have lice, use a magnifying glass to check their scalp and hair. It may also help to shine a bright light on their head. Lice tend to avoid bright light, which can make them easier to spot as they try to move away. Lice and nits are most likely to be found around and behind your child’s ears, along their hairline, and at their neck. You can use a lice comb on your child’s hair to check for nits and lice. You should also check their eyelashes and eyebrows, although you’re less likely to find nits or lice there. If you’re not sure if your child has lice, ask their school nurse, doctor, or local health department official to double