Head Lice: Causes, Symptoms and How to Get Rid of It

A head lice infestation has three main stages. First, there is the egg stage. Adult female lice lay these tiny, oval-shaped eggs and attach them to hair strands near the scalp. The nits take about 7 to 10 days to hatch. Next is the nymph stage. When the eggs hatch, baby lice called nymphs to come out. They are smaller than adult lice and need to grow before they can lay eggs. They go through three growth stages, shedding their skin each time. This process takes about 9 to 12 days. Finally, there is the adult stage. After the nymphs have grown and shed their skin three times, they become adult lice. Adult lice are about the size of a sesame seed and have six legs. They can live for up to 30 days on a person’s head. Female adult lice lay new eggs, and the cycle starts again.

head lice and nits in brown hair

How Can I Recognize It?

Recognizing you have head lice early on is crucial for effective treatment and preventing the spread of these pesky insects. The big question is how can I recognize them if they’re so small? Well, symptoms of head lice include:

  • Itching: This is the most common symptom. Itching happens because of an allergic reaction to the lice bites. When lice bite the scalp, they inject saliva that can cause irritation and itchiness.
  • Tickling sensation: Some people might feel a tickling or crawling sensation on their scalp or in their hair.
  • Small red bumps: Lice bites can cause small red bumps or sores on the scalp, neck, and shoulders. Scratching these bumps can lead to infection.
  • Difficulty sleeping: Lice are more active in the dark, which can cause increased itching and make it hard to sleep.
  • Irritability: The itching and discomfort caused by head lice can make a person feel irritable or restless.

It’s also possible you’re allergic to head lice bites. To see if you’re allergic to head lice bites, pay attention to the symptoms mentioned above, especially the itching. Most people are allergic to the saliva that lice inject into the scalp when they bite. If you notice intense itching and red bumps on your scalp, neck, or shoulders, you are likely experiencing an allergic reaction to the lice bites. Continue reading on the next page for how you can treat head lice.

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