Saturday, December 19, 2009

Where are head lice most commonly found?

Head lice are most frequently located on the scalp behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the neck. Head lice hold on to hair with hook-like claws that are found at the end of each of their six legs.

Lice found on the body, eyelashes, or eyebrows are called body lice and require different treatment..

What are the signs and symptoms of head lice infestation?
The signs and symptoms are
a tickling feeling of something moving in the hair;
itching (caused by the an allergic reaction to the bites);
sores on the head (caused by scratching).


These sores on the head can sometimes become infected because of too much scratching.


How is a head lice infestation diagnosed?
Head lice can be detected by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs, or adults. Locating a nymph or adult may be difficult; there are usually only a few of them, and they can move quickly from searching fingers. However, the presence of nits close to the scalp confirms that a person is infested. If the nits are located more than ¼ inch from the scalp, the infestation is probably an old one. If you are not sure whether or not a person has head lice, the diagnosis should be made by RoshNakki.