Head lice and nits
Head lice and nits
Head lice are tiny insects that live in the hair, and nits are the small, empty egg cases left stuck to the hair once the lice have hatched from them.
They're very common, especially among schoolchildren between 4 and 11 years old, so if your child brings them home, you're far from alone.
The good news is that head lice don't cause any real harm. Left untreated, though, they can stay in the hair for quite a while, and dealing with them can be an itchy, frustrating hassle.
সাধারণ উপসর্গ
⚠️ এই উপসর্গের তালিকা শিক্ষামূলক উদ্দেশ্যে। এই উপসর্গগুলি থাকার অর্থ এই নয় যে আপনার এই অবস্থা রয়েছে। সঠিক নির্ণয়ের জন্য একজন ডাক্তারের পরামর্শ নিন।
সাধারণত ব্যবহৃত ওষুধ
⚠️ এই ওষুধগুলি সাধারণত এই অবস্থার নিশ্চিত নির্ণয়ের জন্য ব্যবহৃত হয়। এটি একটি সুপারিশ বা প্রেসক্রিপশন নয়। চিকিৎসা অবশ্যই আপনার ডাক্তার দ্বারা নির্ধারিত হতে হবে।
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
কখন ডাক্তারের কাছে যাবেন
When to get professional advice
Your pharmacist can advise you about treatments for head lice and nits if you’re not sure which is best for you or your child.
Make sure you carefully follow the instructions that come with the treatment you choose.
How head lice are spread
Head lice are spread by direct head to head contact. They climb from one person’s hair to another’s.
Head lice:
- can’t fly, jump or swim
- are very unlikely to be spread by objects like hats, combs and pillows
- don’t have a preference for dirty, clean, short or long hair
- only affect people
- can’t be caught from animals
Once detached from the hair, head lice will usually die within 12 to 24 hours.
Prevention
Preventing head lice
It’s very difficult to prevent head lice.
You may want to consider regular detection combing if you’re concerned about your children or yourself. For example, on a weekly basis.
Lotions and sprays don’t prevent head lice and should only be used if a live louse has been found in your or your child’s hair.
Staying off work or school and washing clothing and bedding on a hot wash is unnecessary, as it’s unlikely to help prevent the spread of head lice.
Don’t include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions.