#licefree

What is Pediculosis or Head Lice?

Head lice (Pediculosis capitis) are a very common, itchy, highly contagious condition that often occurs in nurseries, day care centers, and schools. It is caused by infestation with the human head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis.

- What is the life cycle of the head lice(louse)?

Lice are very small insects that feed on human blood. In head lice, the female louse attaches her eggs to the base of hair shafts. The eggs (nits) hatch 8–10 days later. While the adult louse cannot survive more than 2 days off of the human head, a nit can stay alive for up to a month off the body (on clothes, hairbrushes, or carpets, for example). Lice can spread from child to child by close personal contact and by sharing belongings.

- Who’s at risk?

Children aged 3–10 are most likely to become infested. Girls are more likely to have head lice than are boys.

- What are the signs and symptoms?

The most common locations for head lice infestations include:

Scalp

Behind the ears

Neck

Moving lice or non-moving nits may be seen on the scalp and hair. Each louse is approximately 1–2 mm long and is white-gray in color. The white nits are smaller (0.5 mm), are firmly attached to the hair shaft, and are usually located very close to the scalp. Small red bumps may be seen on the scalp, neck, and shoulders. Occasionally, the lymph nodes behind the ears or in the neck may be swollen. Head lice infestations are quite itchy.

- How can you take care?

Search for lice and nits on wet hair using a fine-toothed comb.

Use an over-the-counter medication for head lice exactly as directed. These medicines are insecticides and should not be applied in greater quantity or more frequently than recommended. These medications are not recommended for children younger than 2 years old.

Wash bed linens, towels, hats, etc, in hot water, and dry them using the hot cycle for at least 20 minutes.

Vacuum floors and furniture used by the infected child.

Do not share combs, hair brushes, hats, towels, bedding, clothing, headphones, stuffed toys, or other items with someone who has head lice.

Treat the immediate contacts of the child also.

Consult a dermatologist if self-care measures have not successfully killed off (eradicated) the infestation who can recommend:

Permethrin lotion or shampoo

Malathion lotion

Lindane lotion, cream, or shampoo (not used as much anymore due to potential toxicity)

Ivermectin pills

- What will be the cost for the treatment of Head Lice?

The cost for the treatment is dependent upon the type of treatment chosen. Generally, a single consultation with Dr. Rinky Kapoor would cost approximately INR 1000/-. It is very important that, along with the treatment, your child should follow all the preventive measures to get rid of these head lice once and for all.

For more information on Dr. Rinky Kapoor’s work, click on: https://www.rinkykapoor.com/

The Esthetic Clinic is a world class center dedicated to skin care and plastic surgery of the entire body – and specializes in housing an experienced Dermatologist, Dr. Rinky Kapoor, who can provide world class Skin Treatments, for skin diseases and make your skin look beautiful. So if you want to go ahead and get your hair, skin, and nails treated, The Esthetic Clinic is the best option for you.

A lot of our patients visit us from Hyderabad, New Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Nagpur, Kolhapur, Cochin, Trichy, Bhopal, Indore, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and many other cities in India. Many of our consumers (medical tourism) also come in from the USA, Singapore, Dubai, Qatar, Canada, Nigeria, Kenya, Mauritius, UK, South Africa and many other top countries in the world.