The steady growth of any child will make him to be more active. In this kind of situation parents may not be there at all times with their children especially when they attain the stage they will begin schooling. Playing around could make them pick up parasites which may escape the notice of their parents until they begin to manifest their damage. Head lice are among such parasites that commonly attack children. These are insects that lay their eggs on hairs very close to the scalp and they children of school age are usually affected by these insects. If you observe that your child is hosting lice, this does not necessarily mean your child is dirty or you are not responsible enough. It is so easy to have your child’s hair infected with these insects and usually most families have it once. However the good news is treatment for these insects is very easy.
The bites from head lice can be very itchy and can cause a lot of discomfort to the host. The scalp could also become infected from scratching however it is a little bit comforting to know that they are quite harmless and do not spread diseases.
Some Basic Facts about Head Lice You Should Know
Shape And Body Size
These insects are about 2-3 mm long. They do not have wings but have 6 legs which are clawed at their ends. They neither hop nor jump but can crawl very quickly. As they are able to move on the scalp, seeing them is usually difficult. With the way their legs are structured, they can cling hard to hair strands and move swiftly.
Reproduction
Head lice mature very quickly and after 2 weeks after birth they are also capable of reproducing. It is the female of the head lice that lays eggs and each female can lay up to 150 to 300 eggs. The eggs which are spindle-shaped are whitish in color and firmly attached to the hair strands. The appearance of these eggs is a sure sign that a child has been infected with head lice.
Feeding And Special Requirements For Survival
Head lice survive by feeding on the blood of their host. They find the warmth generated by the scalp of their host very conducive for them and breed very fast. They find it difficult to survive anywhere else but on a human head. If head lice are found on bedding, carpets or anywhere else but a human head, they are old, dead or sick.
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