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Signs of head lice
Lice are parasitic insects that live on hairy parts of the body and feed on human blood. The most common sign of lice is an itchy head or neck. Head lice live on the scalp, especially behind the ears and on the back of the head. Take a closer look. If it's lice, you'll probably see these wingless insects or their eggs (called nits) on the hair shaft very close to the scalp. Careful examination of the hair will reveal small eggs attached to the individual hairs. Nits resemble tiny yellow, tan, or brown dots before hatching. After the parasites emerge, the shell of the eggs look white, silvery or clear. Lice infestation of the hair usually spreads from person to person contact by sharing personal items such as combs, brushes, towels, linens, scarves and headwear. The primary symptom of head lice infestation is intense itching of the scalp. Lice are highly contagious and young children are particularly susceptible. If your child’s school sends out an alert, ask them to avoid head-to-head contact with other students and check their hair regularly. The good news is that there are many products available for treatment.
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