Head lice are tiny, barely visible insect-like animals (“arthropods”) that may live on the head and cause itching. ("Lice" is plural; the singular is "louse"). Head lice may also live in the eyebrows, eyelashes, and beard. But, sometimes infestations in these areas are from a related species called pubic lice.
Head lice spread by personal contact and by sharing combs, brushes, hats, and other personal items.
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors include:
Symptoms include:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. The doctor will examine your head and scalp for lice and lice eggs (called "nits").
Do not self-diagnose and self-treat head lice. Some treatments can cause irritation and should only be used by people who have the infestation.
Treating head lice involves removing eggs and killing lice so that they can't continue to lay eggs. Treatment may be difficult because in some regions lice have become resistant to many of the commonly used medications. Some experts recommend that treatment be given only when live adult lice are seen.
Methods include:
Most cases of head lice can be treated with over-the-counter preparations. However, there is increasing resistance to permethrin and pyrethrin in the US. Malathion is currently available with a doctor’s prescription. It has become a first-line treatment since kills both the lice and their eggs. In certain cases, your doctor may prescribe lindane .
Lindane is neurotoxic and carries a black box warning. Follow the instructions carefully. It should only be prescribed to patients who are unable to take other medications or who have not responded to them. According to the Food and Drug Administration’s warning, lindane can rarely cause serious side effects, including seizure and death. Those especially susceptible are infants, the elderly, children and adults weighing under 110 lbs, and individuals with other skin conditions. Lindane is toxic and should not be overused. Patients are given small amounts (1-2 oz) of the shampoo or lotion and instructed to apply a very thin layer and not to reapply. For more information, visit the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research website .
If you or your child are diagnosed as having head lice, follow your doctor's instructions .
Lice are common, especially in children. While no records are kept for accurate counts, some estimates are that as many as 10-15 million persons annually develop head lice in the United States. To prevent outbreaks of head lice:
RESOURCES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/
Kids Health
http://kidshealth.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Caring for Kids–Canada
http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/
Communicable Disease Control (CDC) Network
Province of Manitoba
http://www.gov.mb.ca/
References:
American Academy of Dermatology website. Available at: http://www.aad.org/default.htm .
Lindane shampoo and lindane lotion. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/lindane/default.htm . Accessed March 12, 2007.
Medication guide lindane (LIHN-dane) lotion USP, 1%. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/lindane/lindaneLotionGuide.htm . Accessed March 12, 2007.
Medication guide lindane (LIHN-dane) shampoo USP, 1%. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/lindane/lindaneShampooGuide.htm . Accessed March 12, 2007.
National Pediculosis Association, Inc. website. Available at: http://www.headlice.org .
Revised lindane lotion label. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2003/006309lotionlbl.pdf . Accessed March 12, 2007.
Revised lindane shampoo label. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2003/006309shampoolbl.pdf . Accessed March 12, 2007.
Roberts RJ. Clinical practice. Head lice. N Engl J Med . 2002;346(21):1645-1650.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Marcin Chwistek, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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