Anyone may become a victim of lice infestation in San Diego, even though teens and children are more vulnerable because of their surroundings. Summer camps and schools are the prime targets of these pesky bugs, given the fact that many kids come close to each other to play.
When your kid comes home with lice, they may quickly spread it to other family members if the issue isn’t addressed on time. All it takes is lice treatment from a doctor or clinic that has experience dealing with such pesky bugs.
Symptoms of Lice
Scratching and itching at the scalp are among the most common signs of lice possibilities, especially behind a child’s ears and at the back of their neck. If you are still not sure whether lice are there, talk to a pediatrician or a school nurse.
Because lice might be present three to five weeks before itching starts occurring, it can be vital to check your kids’ heads for lice regularly. The head of lice can be small, but they are visible if you hunt for them.
When looking for your child’s head for these pesky bugs, check the nits that are basically the lice eggs. Usually, they are small and brown, tan, or yellow in color before they start hatching. And they are likely to be near your child’s scalp, resembling dandruff.
Seeing these nits is like seeing lice on your child’s hair and scalp unless you are dealing with the case of more progressed bugs.
Treatment
Your doctor will recommend the right medications available without prescriptions, which can kill lice and nits. Those medications might not kill eggs that have recently been laid. This is why the right-timed second treatment is necessary so as to kill all the nymphs once they hatch. But make sure they don’t become adult lice.
According to some studies, retreating six to ten days after treating them for the first time will be perfect. However, other schedules for treatment entailing the use of the following should be organized:
- Malathion ovide lotion: This is a prescription lotion, which experts highly recommend in treating lice. It is best for treating adult lice as well as eggs. It is often applied directly to the patients’ dry hair and scalp.
- Benzyl alcohol lotion: The FDA has approved 5% of benzyl alcohol lotion to treat head lice. It is regarded as effective and safe, especially when used directly.
- RID lice-killing shampoo: This is powered by pyrethrum extra and piperonyl butoxide to get rid of nits, nymphs, and lice. Apply it to dry hair safely, give it time to work, and clean it away without leaving chemical residues behind.
When to Call a Doctor
It would be best to call a doctor about lice infestation if your child has itchy skin and there are no visible signs. It is also important to contact a doctor if your child younger than six months has lice and all the treatments you have tried don’t work.
Final Remarks
Don’t be embarrassed if you and your family are infested with lice. Even the cleanest individuals get lice. So don’t be embarrassed to tell teachers and friends so they can check their kids too.
