Terviseamet advice

Lice.

What you need to know.

General information.

  • These are small insects that live on the hair of the human head. They feed on human blood, and a louse sucks blood 5 times a day, for 30-45 minutes each time.
  • A louse cannot survive without feeding for more than 24-72 hours. The ideal climate for lice is a temperature of 30°C and a humidity of 70%.
  • Lice are killed by temperatures below 22°C and above 44°C, but their nits (lice eggs) can survive even under these conditions. On clothing or in combs, they can remain viable for up to a month.
  • Parasites reproduce very quickly. A female can lay up to 10 eggs a day for a whole month!
  • Lice develop into adults within 30-35 days. A female louse becomes capable of reproduction after 10-15 days.
  • Lice eggs resemble dandruff; they are translucent or gray in color, firmly attached to the hair with a sticky substance, and are difficult to remove by hand.
  • Lice themselves have the ability to change color depending on the color of the hair. Therefore, lice on brunettes will be darker than lice on blondes or those with brown hair.
  • If lice eggs fall off the hair, they can remain alive for up to 10 days under suitable temperature and humidity conditions.
  • The optimal temperature for the survival of parasites is 31 degrees Celsius. If, for some reason, the temperature of the scalp changes, for example, if a child has a fever, lice will most likely try to leave the uncomfortable environment.

Infection and symptoms.

  • Lice are transmitted from one person to another through direct contact with an infected person or through personal hygiene items (combs, headphones).
  • Therefore, never wear other people’s caps or hats, and avoid hanging your coat on a shared coat rack, as insects may crawl onto your clothes.
  • Girls look best with their hair braided. Lice are excellent swimmers, so you can get infected even in a swimming pool.
  • It usually takes between 30 and 60 days for the scalp to start itching and for lice to be noticed in the hair.
  • Severe itching can disrupt sleep and can also lead to the appearance of sores and scabs on the scalp, similar to crusts.
  • Sometimes, an enlargement of the cervical and preauricular lymph nodes is observed.
  • Lice are not transmitted from pets; the only animal that can carry the same type of lice as humans is a pig.

To combat lice.

  • At the first sign of suspicion that your child has lice, carefully examine their head for nits and lice using a bright light. Pay particular attention to the areas behind the ears and at the nape of the neck.
  • There are many products available in the form of lotions and shampoos. You should be aware that lice have already developed immunity to some of them.
  • As a rule, the instructions for such products recommend rinsing the hair with a solution of water and vinegar as the final step. This will help dissolve the special adhesive and make it easier to comb out live or dead lice and nits from the hair.
  • These measures should be applied to all family members, regardless of whether lice were found only on one child.
  • As a preventative measure, you can rinse your hair with a solution of water and vinegar every 10 days. You can also purchase a special liquid based on propolis at a pharmacy and spray it on your hair.
  • Vacuum all rooms and upholstered furniture (if you have a car, vacuum the seats). Then, dispose of or clean the vacuum cleaner bag (keeping in mind that lice can live for up to 10 days).
  • Wash the laundry in hot water (boil it).
  • Place items of clothing that cannot be washed in a sealed plastic bag for two weeks.