- Signs/ Symptoms
- Who Gets Lice?
- How To Get Lice
- Treatment
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Head lice are parasites that are easy to differentiate from dandruff. And no, they do not like dandruff; they love your blood and so, they feed on it. They do not flourish if the dandruff is co-existing on the scalp. Generally, dandruff does not curb the head lice’s growth.
Head lice, medically known as Pediculus humanus capitis, affects millions of people. In the US, an estimated 6 to 12 million children between 3 to 11 years get head lice.
What are the signs and symptoms of head lice?
You suspect a head lice infestation when you feel something crawling on your scalp and experience intense itching without even having dandruff. Other signs and symptoms of head lice include:
- Sighting bugs on the scalp (look like light-brown sesame seeds)
- Finding lice eggs or nits (the eggs are yellow, brown, and about the size of a pinhead)
Some people may also get:
- Swelling in the neck (swollen lymph nodes)
- Pink eye (a common eye infection)
Who gets head lice?
Anyone can get head lice but people at greater risk include
- Children in preschool and elementary school. Children can spread the lice to their classmates, parents, and others in their households.
- Girls seem more likely than boys to get head lice. Girls tend to have more frequent head-to-head contact than boys do.
How do you get lice?
How do you get rid of lice fast?
Lice cannot go away on their own. Aggressive treatment is needed to eradicate them, which takes around 4 to 6 weeks. You cannot get rid of lice as fast as dandruff.
There are several over the counter products to get rid of head lice and their nits. Here are a few steps you should follow until you get rid of the lice:
- Step 1: Use a lice shampoo. This usually involves lathering the lice shampoo into the hair and leaving the shampoo on for a few minutes before rinsing it off under a shower. This can be done twice or thrice a week.
- Step 2. Use a lice comb: The lice comb usually comes with the shampoo. The closely arranged short teeth of the lice comb make it easier to remove the lice while combing from the hair root to the hair tip. This should always be done once every day till you see all your hair free from the lice and its eggs.
If all this seems troublesome, another treatment option is to shave the scalp and go bald.
Alternatively, you can visit a dermatologist who will most likely give you any of the following prescription medicines:
- Benzyl alcohol solution
- Ivermectin lotion
- Malathion lotion
- Spinoside suspension
- Lindane shampoo
Whether you are self-treating yourself or getting treated by a dermatologist, make sure you wash your clothes, towels, or bed-sheets in hot water.
SLIDESHOW
The 14 Most Common Causes of Fatigue See SlideshowReferences
Head lice. available from: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/head-lice
Top Do Lice Like Dandruff? Related Articles
Bedbugs vs. Lice
Bedbugs are small blood-sucking parasites that feed on mammals and birds. Some people do not have any symptoms of bedbug bites while others have them they include pain and reddish-colored skin lesions where the bite is. Bedbugs are found in temperate and tropical climates worldwide. Bedbugs usually feed every five to 10 days. Bedbug bites usually do not need treatment. Bedbug infestations are difficult to get rid of. Bedbugs are a problem worldwide, are resurging. There are three types of lice, head, body, and pubic. Head lice is a grey-white animal about the size of a sesame seed and can be mistaken for dandruff. Head lice are transmitted from the body to other household items. They produce between seven to 10 eggs (nits) annually. Head lice is transferred from head-to-head contact. Body lice are slightly bigger than head lice and look like head lice. Body lice is transferred from human to other household items. Pubic lice or "crabs" is distinctly different from the head and body louse. Pubic lice in adults is transferred by direct sexual contact. Children and others get pubic lice via nonsexual transmission from their parents, relatives, and friends who share clothing. Lice bites are bluish in color sore that develop on different areas of the body. Condoms do not prevent from getting pubic lice. The different types of lice have different treatment. Lice can be eradicated from your home.
citric acid/citronellyl acetate/isopropanol/methyl salicylate
Citric acid/citronellyl acetate/isopropanol/methyl salicylate is head lice treatment that includes a topical gel and fine-toothed comb. Common side effects of citric acid/citronellyl acetate/isopropanol/methyl salicylate include contact allergic sensitization; and irritation to the skin, scalp, and eyes. Do not use if pregnant. Ask your doctor before using if you are breastfeeding.coal tar topical
Coal tar topical is a medication applied on the skin and scalp for the relief of symptoms including itching, scaling, flaking, redness, and irritation caused by skin conditions such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. Common side effects of coal tar topical include dermatitis, skin irritation, stinging and burning, skin peeling (desquamation), inflammation of the hair follicles (folliculitis), acne-like eruptions, skin photosensitivity, staining, and discoloration.
Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Head Lice
Head lice infection is called pediculosis. Lice are parasites that feed on blood and can be found on the scalp and hair of infected people. Signs and symptoms of head lice infestation include a tickling sensation, itching, and sores on the head. Head lice may be eliminated with various over-the-counter shampoos and washing all clothing and bed linens in the hot water cycle. Combs and brushes should be disinfected, and the floor and furniture should be vacuumed.
Head Lice Picture
Head lice. This shows numerous lice as well as their grayish-white egg capsules (nits) stuck firmly on the hairs in a child.
Head Lice Slideshow
Learn how to get rid of head lice. Lice attach themselves to the scalp and feed off of human blood. Discover head lice symptoms and learn what head lice look like for effective head lice treatment.
Head Lice vs. Dandruff
Dandruff is a condition that causes dry flakes on the scalp. Lice are parasites. Head lice infestations are very contagious. Both head lice and dandruff have similar signs and symptoms: scalp itching and tiny white material on the hair shafts. Lice treatment involves the application of over-the-counter shampoos that contain permethrin or pyrethrin followed by nit and louse removal with a fine-toothed comb. Dandruff treatment incorporates the use of anti-dandruff shampoo.isopropyl myristate
Isopropyl myristate is a medication used for the treatment of head lice infestation in adults and children 4 years and older. Isopropyl myristate is a topical solution that is applied to the scalp and hair and rinsed off. Common side effects of isopropyl myristate include skin irritation, rash, and contact dermatitis.ivermectin topical
Ivermectin topical is a medication used to treat head lice infestation, and inflammatory lesions caused by a skin condition known as rosacea. Ivermectin topical is available as a cream to apply on rosacea lesions and as a lotion for application on the scalp and hair for head lice. Common side effects of ivermectin topical include skin burning sensation, skin irritation, dry skin (xeroderma), dandruff, eye irritation, red eye (ocular hyperemia), inflammation of conjunctiva (conjunctivitis), and skin inflammation.
Lice vs. Fleas
Lice and fleas are small wingless insects. Lice are parasites that can crawl and infest the human skin and scalp. Although they can bite people, fleas are parasites that mainly feed on non-human hosts and can jump from one host to another. Lice infestations and fleabites are treatable and typically do not cause long-term problems with proper treatments for home, people, and pets.malathion
Malathion is a synthetic phosphorous compound (organophosphate) approved for topical use to kill head lice and also used off-label for pubic lice infestation that is resistant to other treatments. Do not use malathion on newborns or infants younger than 2 years old. Common side effects of malathion include skin and scalp irritation, stinging of skin, chemical burns (including second-degree burns), contact allergic sensitization, inflammation of the outer eye membrane (conjunctivitis) from accidental contact with the eyes.Natroba (spinosad)
Natroba (spinosad) is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of head lice. Natroba may be used alone or with other medications. Serious side effects of Natroba include hives, rash, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; and severe dizziness.permethrin
Permethrin is a topical medication used to treat scabies and head lice infestations, available over the counter and by prescription. Do not apply permethrin to infants younger than 2 months old. Common side effects of permethrin include local discomfort (scalp), rash on the scalp, itching (pruritus), localized burning or numbness, localized swelling (edema), tingling of the skin, stinging of the skin, and redness of the skin (erythema). Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.pyrethrins/piperonyl butoxide
Pyrethrins/piperonyl butoxide is a combination product available over the counter (OTC), used topically to treat head, body and pubic lice infestations. Common side effects of pyrethrins/piperonyl butoxide include burning, stinging, slight corneal erosion, redness (erythema), swelling (edema), hives (urticaria), and itching (pruritus).pyrithione zinc
Pyrithione zinc is a chemical compound with antifungal and antimicrobial properties, used to treat seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff by increasing the cellular levels of copper and damaging iron-sulfur clusters of proteins that are essential for fungal metabolism and growth. Common side effects of pyrithione zinc include stinging and burning of the scalp, skin peeling (desquamation), and skin irritation (rare). Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.salicylic acid/sulfur shampoo
Salicylic acid/sulfur shampoo is a topical agent used to control dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis. Salicylic acid/sulfur shampoo is available as an over-the-counter (OTC) product in the U.S. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Common side effects of salicylic acid/sulfur shampoo include burning or stinging of scalp, redness of skin, and skin peeling. Check with your physician before using any OTC product including salicylic acid/sulfur shampoo, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.