Head lice infestation also known pediculus humanus capitis and one of the most common contagious childhood diseases. Lice can be transmitted from one person to another by the sharing of hats, combs, or hair brushes. Lice are tiny, wingless insects with sucking mouthparts that feed on human blood and lay eggs on body hair or in clothing. Lice bites can cause intense itching. Head lice can be transmitted from one person to another by the sharing of hats, combs, or hair brushes. Epidemics of head lice are common among school-age children from all class backgrounds in all parts of the United States. Signs and symptoms of head lice infestation ,tickling feeling of something moving in the hair ,itching, caused by an allergic reaction to the bites ,irritability ,sores on the head caused by scratching.

Lice infestation causes severe itching in the infested area. Children may hardly notice head lice or may have only a vague scalp irritation. It is a serious problem because some lice can carry organisms that cause other diseases, including relapsing fever, trench fever, and epidemic typhus. Lice infestations are frequent occurrences in areas of overcrowding or inadequate facilities for bathing and laundry. Adult body lice and their eggs also may be found in the seams of clothing worn close to the skin. Several effective prescription and nonprescription drugs are available to treat lice. Shampoos and creams containing pyrethrins plus piperonyl butoxide are applied for 10 minutes and are then rinsed out.

Some drugs lindane is also effective for treating infestations of body or pubic liceThe person applying the treatment should wear rubber gloves and rinse the patient's hair or body completely after use. Infestations of body lice can also be treated by washing the patient's clothes or bedding in boiling water, ironing seams with an iron on a high setting, or treating the clothes with 1% malathion powder or 10% DDT powder. Use a vinegar rinse to help loosen nits, and wash hair with regular shampoo. Infested eyebrows should be treated with petroleum jelly for several days and the nits should be plucked off with tweezers or fingernails. Clothing and bedding should be washed at 140°F (60°C) and dried at high temperature or dry-cleaned.

Lice Infestation Treatment Tips

1. Using infested combs, brushes, or towels.

2. Permethrin medication used to rid the scalp of head lice.

3. Use a vinegar rinse to help loosen nits, and wash hair with regular shampoo.

4. Several effective prescription and nonprescription drugs are available to treat lice.

5. Clothing and bedding should be washed at 140°F (60°C) and dried at high temperature or dry-cleaned.

6. Wearing clothing, such as hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms, or hair ribbons, recently worn by an infested person.

7. Shampoos and creams containing pyrethrins plus piperony butoxide are applied for 10 minutes and are then rinsed out.

Juliet Cohen writes articles for free hairstyles and fashion tips.