Diagnosis of Head Lice
The characteristic itch that comes with Head Lice is something that many people use as a diagnosis technique, yet it is very possible that by the time the itch occurs the lice have already become an established colony. 
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This is because the itch itself is actually an allergenic reaction to the feeding habits of the louse: when a head louse pierces the skin to feed on blood it secretes a substance that is designed to stop the blood from clotting. Naturally, such a tiny creature only leaves behind a tiny amount and it is so that the reaction may take some time to occur thanks to our immune system.
In fact, in many people the itching itself may not occur, and in others it may take weeks – months, even – which means that Head Lice could well have set up camp a long time prior to the patient beginning to scratch.
This is why it is absolutely essential to use alternative methods of diagnosis in order to catch the lice early and before they have multiplied out of control.
If you suspect that lice may be present – or if your child associates with a known sufferer – then regular inspection of the head and the scalp – and other areas – is necessary in order to make sure. This is best done by using a specially made nit comb, a short but very deep comb with very closely ranked teeth. It is recommended that the combing is done carefully and thoroughly over a white sheet of paper, this enabling any lice that are snagged and fall out of the hair to be seen clearly – they will look like tiny creatures when inspected closely, and they will most likely be crawling around!
Diagnosis is sometimes difficult but the above is one of a few certain ways of getting to the root of the problem; as the lice live on the scalp and the nits are attached to the hair follicles very close to the base then a normal everyday comb will not suffice. Nit combs are simple and affordable, and are a vital tool in the fight against lice.
Other symptoms include the presence of very tiny red marks on the scalp – these are actually bite marks – and the presence on pillows and bedclothes of tiny white or brown specks, these being the hatched eggs. Hard to see thanks to their microscopic size, the comb through method is the very best way of diagnosing the presence of Head Lice.
Before we go on to discuss the various methods of treating Head Lice there is one thing to make clear: Head Lice are pests, parasites and a great source of embarrassment, but it is essential that on finding them you do not over-react. Not only can Head Lice, as we have said, be found on the cleanest of hair but they are essentially harmless – unlike many other parasites of this nature they do not carry or spread any diseases.
Learn more about Lice.
More Important Facts
- Before providing a head lice cure, it is important that your child be examined to determine whether head lice are present.
- Alternate treatment methods such as the use of tub butter or margarine, mayonnaise, Vaseline® and olive oil, designed to smother head lice and nits can be used with discretion for those persons for whom lice-killing medications have failed.
- Before starting any lice removal process, make sure to take a look at somehead lice pictures, to learn more abouthead lice life cycle, and to understandhead lice symptoms.
- After shampooing, you will need to go through and remove the nits with a special comb in order to complete the head lice treatment and prevent re-infestation.
- Head lice are rarely found on the body, eyelashes, or eyebrows.
- Most people get head lice when they have head-to-head contact with someone who has head lice.
- Tea tree oil lice removal products are known for their familiarity with several saloons; people crowd several salons to get utmost relief from these head bugs.
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Social Media Comments
RT @nickl0we: 12 year old girl updates status to “cant get u out of my head <3″ bitch do u have head lice or something
http://t.co/8YDF7NfV Comparative efficacy of commercial combs in removing head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis)… http://t.co/gRyXbPCQ- http://twitter.com/#!/LeonardoSexton
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