How do lice manifest themselves in children? What do they look like and how to dispose of them

What are head lice?
How are they transmitted, manifested and what do they look like in hair?
How long do they survive?
How to effectively get rid of them and eliminate them?

The answers to these questions are offered in the article...

The transmission of lice is ensured by personal contact. It is easiest, for example, when children play, but also during sporting activities. The presence of lice can be easily spotted. Treatment is not difficult.

Prevention is more important.

Do you know what pediculosis is and how to spot lice early?

The prevalence of head lice is widespread worldwide. There is virtually no geographical factor influencing its occurrence (except in areas with temperatures well below zero or well above 40 degrees Celsius). Its prevalence varies from a low percentage (2%) to a high percentage (60%) in different countries.

Precise data are not available because the disease caused by this parasite is not reportable.

There has been an increasing trend in the world over the last 10 years, mainly due to the resistance of head lice to current insecticides. Wherever there is man, there is head lice.

In humans, three species of lice can be found parasitizing the human body.

The table lists the species of lice

Pediculus capitis is found in children's groups. It reaches a size of 2-3.5 mm. It lays eggs (nits) which are 0.8 x 0.3 mm in size and yellow-white in colour.

It lays 3-4 nits per day, from which the larvae hatch in 7-19 days. The lifespan of an adult louse is approximately 40 days, during which time it can lay 100-160 nits.

It can be found on the entire hairy part of the head. The highest incidence is in the hair in the temple area, behind the ears and in the nape of the neck. Its abundance is approximately 10 individuals.

It feeds on human blood.

It cannot survive in hair that is permanently shorter than 1 cm.

But don't worry. Cutting hair is not the only treatment for head lice. The colder and winter seasons are conducive to the spread of lice because children wear hats, which is conducive to lice transmission. Children often swap hats, borrow hats. This is optimal for transmission.

How to spot head lice?What do head lice look like?

It takes approximately one to four weeks after contact with lice before the lice multiply and the first signs of lice infestation appear. This results in the disease pediculosis (caused by Pediculus humanus capitis, head lice infestation B85.0).

The size to which the louse grows is observable with the naked eye. Its eggs (nits) can be observed with a magnifying glass. Evidence by sight is the only diagnostic method sufficient to establish the disease of pediculosis.

If lice are not proven by sight, it is necessary to look for another disease, for example eczema, psoriasis or dermatophytosis (tinea capitis).

In addition to moving freely in the hair and laying eggs, the louse must also feed. Its food is blood, which it obtains by stinging, approximately every 2-3 hours. This sting is accompanied by an unpleasant burning and itching sensation that makes the child scratch. It is caused by the secretion of secretion when stung.

When scratching, the child may develop skin lesions which, when infected, cause diseases such as impetigo. This usually causes swelling of the regional lymph nodes behind the ears and on the neck. Subsequently, petechiae, urticaria (hives), redness and other, often allergy-induced, skin changes may be found at the places where the louse feeds.

Elevated body temperature may be present as a response of the body to secondary infection.

In its secretions (saliva), the louse can transmit, for example, spotted fever (caused by the bacterium Riketsia) and, rarely, Volhynia (trench) fever (caused by the bacterium Bartonella quintana).

Behavioural changes, disturbances in concentration, general restlessness, sleep disturbances and even insomnia can be observed in children.

For a better overview, we list the possible symptoms in bullet points:

• lice and nits present by sight
• itching, burning of the scalp
• scratching of the head
• reddening of the skin and skin changes (petechiae, urticaria) in areas where lice are present (most often the temple area, the area behind the ears and the head)
• increased temperature
• restlessness
• disturbances in concentration
• sleep disturbances to insomnia
• secondary inflammations such as impetigo, spotted fever, recurrent fevers, and rarely, Volhynia fever

In these difficulties, the cause will be known and effective treatment initiated. The condition of lice is not only a poor socio-economic condition and a low level of hygiene. If lice have already been transferred to the hair, ordinary shampoos are not enough to eradicate them. Therefore, sufficient hygiene is not a guarantee in the protection against pediculosis and does not guarantee its cure.

Lice are most common between the ages of two and twelve.

Prevention is important

Prevention is necessary when the child starts school. Lice spread quickly in a collective. Parental awareness and observance of good hygiene in the family is important. Changing bed linen is also important. Washing underwear, hats, scarves, cleaning combs.

For children attending a collective, regular hair checks are important. In the event of lice, the child should be kept at home and not in a collective, nursery or school.

If lice are found in a child's hair, it is very important to contact the class teacher and inform them of the presence. They will then arrange the necessary action at the facility.

For more information on head lice and its treatment, also read:

• Pediculosis
• Lice treatment