68 Best Doctors for Head Lice available in Gurgaon

What are head lice?

Head lice are the small tiny wingless blood-sucking parasites that live on human hair by feeding human blood. Lice generally found on the scalp, behind the ears, and back of the neck. Single adult which is called louse is the size of the sesame seed and the nit is around the size of a small scale of dandruff.

What are the symptoms of head lice?

Following are few of the common signs and symptoms of head lice infestation:

• Itching 
• Lice visible on the scalp
• Lice nits on the hair strands 
• Sores may be seen in scalp, neck, or shoulder 
• Tickling sensation in the scalp

What causes head lice?

Head lice are contagious as they can transmit through the direct head to head contact. Head lice can transmit through the following ways:

• Individuals can get through either head to head or body to body. 
• Sharing contaminated personal items with family or others.
• Contact with the contaminated furniture, beds, clothes, and towels.
• The transmission of head lice through inanimate objects may be possible. Few of the inanimate objects are combs, brushes, barrettes, headphones, headbands, and hats. 

What are the home remedies of head lice?

Home remedies can be helpful to get rid of head lice. Few of them are:

• Combing wet hair 
• Cleaning hair care items in hot water
• Essential oils such as tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, and anise oil can kill lice
• Application of smothering agents such as olive oil, petroleum jelly
• Dry clean the clothes and bedsheets
• Vacuum the floor daily

Who is at risk of getting head lice?

Following people are at risk of getting head lice:

• Elementary and preschool children as they play close together.
• Family members of the school children.
• Individuals who work in the daycare center, elementary, and preschool.

How can head lice be diagnosed?

Head lice can be diagnosed by 

• Examining the hair or scalp area for lice
• Checking the hair and scalp area for nits
• Running a fine-toothed comb through the hair from the scalp to find lice and nits

As the nits are dark-colored and hatched lice are light-colored, diagnosis can be easily done. The presence of nits can be the evidence of head lice on the scalp. There is easy differentiation between the nits and other debris or dandruff flakes. 

What is the treatment for head lice?

Both OTC drugs and prescription medications can be used for head lice treatment. Chemicals that are commonly used in OTC medications are: 

• Pyrethrin is a pesticide that’s derived from chrysanthemum flowers.
• Permethrin (Nix) is a synthetic pesticide that is similar to pyrethrin.
• Benzyl alcohol lotion
• Lindane
• Malathion

For removal of lice from the hair using fine-toothed lice comb or a flea comb can be beneficial. Apply olive oil to the hair prior to combining which helps lice and nits stick to the comb.