Properly Diagnosing Head Lice

When it comes to diagnosing a case of head lice, misdiagnoses abound. There can be several harmless types of things located on the scalp that don't indicate the presence of lice, but they are often mistaken for them. In this article, we'll examine the problem that head lice pose, helping you to make a proper diagnosis before you take any drastic action such as using a pesticide to eliminate the problem.

First off, you should recognize the symptoms that may indicate a case of head lice. The lice feed on blood, living on the scalp and reproducing repetitively, increasing the problem. The irritation that occurs when the lice feed can cause you to feel intense itching. Also, many people who have head lice can feel them moving around on their head, causing a tickling, crawling sensation. These symptoms may indicate that there are lice present, but you will also need to manually confirm the diagnosis.

Finding lice on the head can be difficult. While the bugs are unable to fly or jump, they can crawl very fast and they tend to avoid light. For that reason, they will quickly scatter when you try to locate them under a light. An easier thing to be able to find are the eggs that the lice leave behind. These eggs, known as nits, are smooth and oval-shaped. They are attached to the hair follicle and they are roughly the size of a small sesame seed. They may be either a light whitish color or dark brown, and they are attached to the hair follicle with a type of glue that the louse creates. If the nits are not glued within a centimeter of the scalp, they won't have the body warmth necessary to successfully incubate.

Lice themselves are of a translucent color when they are born, but they will quickly take on a reddish-brown hue after feeding. They have six legs and a wide lower body. These legs are equipped with claws that allow them to latch on to hair and the scalp. If you find evidence that lice are on a family member's head, you need to eliminate the problem while examining everyone in the household to ensure that the infestation is contained. If at all possible, you should manually remove the head lice as opposed to using medical treatments. Of course, not all cases of head lice can be easily solved, and sometimes you may need to resort to one of the pesticides that you can buy to rid yourself of the problem. Use caution, though, and be sure to read the directions carefully, making sure that you follow through every step. You don't want to have to use the herbicide twice as it can be harmful to your health. Also, use caution when using pesticide treatments with children, as they are more susceptible to the harsh effects of the pesticides. If one of your children has become afflicted with a case of head lice, you should contact their principal in order to ensure that the infestation is contained within the school. You should keep your child out of school until you can confirm that the lice are gone.

About the Author:
Mike Serovey is the owner and webmaster for http://www.mikeserovey.net where you can submit your articles for free.