How do children get head lice?

despite the fact that head lice have been round for heaps of years, they’ve grow to be more of an issue in recent years as remedy-resistant “first rate-lice” have been diagnosed in 25 states.

in step with the facilities for disorder manipulate and Prevention (CDC), 12 million children get lice every yr. the ones maximum at danger are kids between the a long time of three and 10 and moms because they’re frequently in close touch, stated Claire Roberts, CEO of Lice Clinics of america, based totally inSalt Lake metropolis, Utah.

youngsters frequently switch lice to every other whilst gambling together, at the athletic discipline or locker room, or even from the foam pit at gymnastics class.

“colleges are one of the greatest resources for recognizing it and speaking the issue to dad and mom due to the fact they tackle that duty,” Roberts stated. “however that’s no longer wherein youngsters are snuggling the maximum.”

In may additionally, the american Academy of Pediatrics issued a report which recommends colleges cast off their “no nit” policy, which required a infant be free of nits earlier than they can return to high school. below their recommendation, if a infant has head lice, they must finish the faculty day, get treatment and go back to high school.

A not unusual false impression approximately head lice is that it’s a result of poor hygiene. The reality but, is that lice are human parasites that require human blood to continue to exist and are transferred from head to head.

The lice eggs, or “nits,”themselves are not contagious, however it’s the person energetic lice which might be. once the eggs are laid— at the hair shaft, close to the scalp— they have 7 to ten days till they hatch. in the event that they’re not eliminated earlier than they hatch, toddler lice or nymphs come to be grownup lice within 1 to two weeks and go away the eggshell behind.

despite the fact that you can see the eggs, it’s unlikely which you’ll be capable of see the live lice unless there’s a excessive infestation. The eggs are clear or white and unlike dandruff, you won’t be able to drag it off along with your arms.

moreover, despite the fact that many kids will scratch the lower back of their heads or round their ears, many display no signs of lice due to the fact they’re now not allergic to the lice saliva which causes itchiness, said Stacey Pomerantz, partner and proprietor of Fairy LiceMothers in Austin, Tex.