Head Lice & Scabies

Lice are tiny parasites that live and flourish on human beings and feed on the blood. These parasites seldom cause serious medical conditions. Head lice are one of the three types of lice. In addition, scabies is head skin infestation by the human itch mite.

Head lice are 2.1 to 3.3 millimetres long or about the size of sesame seeds in adults. Head lice eggs, also known as nits, are barely visible and yellow ovals attached to hair shafts. Your head lice are not related to the degree of personal hygiene. School children are more prone to head lice that are annoying and contagious for them. In addition, more girls get head lice because girls have more physical contact with others and share personal articles such as clothing, hats, or combs. These products can easily transmit head lice. In addition, head lice don’t carry viral or bacterial infections.

Head scabies is a contagious skin problem caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin. These tiny mites are known as Sarcoptes scabiei. Amongst these mites, female mites grow to 0.3 to 0.54 millimetres long and are larger than males. Closed environments such as child-care centres and nursing homes can provide an ideal breeding place for these parasites that needs a human host to survive.

Head lice are infectious. Individuals can become infected with head lice when the insects crawl onto the head. You might get head lice due to the following ways;

• Touching your head to other’s head who already has head lice.
• Sharing personal products (combs or items) of someone with head lice.
• Fabric items use after a person with head lice.
• Using other’s towels, pillows, or upholstery.

Head lice transmission via inanimate objects may also be possible. These inanimate objects may include combs, brushes, headbands, hats, barrettes, or headphones. In addition, the biggest concern for head lice transmission is close head-to-head contact in children during play.

People of all ethnicities, sexes, and ages can experience head scabies. This scabies is not caused by a lack of personal hygiene but is frequently seen in people living in urban and crowded conditions. Moreover, people in crowded living situations such as nursing homes, hospitals, and prisons are more prone to head scabies. Skin-to-skin contact may also reduce the risks of getting scabies. However, limited contact such as a handshake or hug will not normally spread the infection.

The following are the symptoms of head lice;

• Itching: Itching on the scalp is the most common symptom of head lice. Scalp itching is an allergic reaction caused by louse bites. When you get head lice for the first time, you may not experience itching for four to six weeks after infestation.
• Lice on the scalp: Lice may be visible in this condition but are not easy to spot because they are little and move quickly due to light.
• Lice nits (eggs) on hair shafts: Lice eggs stick to hair shafts. Incubating nits (eggs) maybe not be easy to see because they are very tiny.
• Sores on the scalp: Head lice can cause scratching leading to red or small bumps that sometimes get infected with bacteria.

Scabies symptoms are;

• Itching at night: Scabies can cause itching at night and can be so intense that it keeps you awake.
• Rash: Many people can experience scabies rash. These rashes cause little bumps. The bumps can look like tiny bites, hives, or pimples. People can also develop scaly patches that look like eczema.
• Sores: If you scratch an itchy rash, you can develop sores. These sores can also get an infection.
• The thick crust: The skin forms this crust when you develop a severe type of scabies. In the case of crusted scabies, the itch and rash become severe.

The following are the effective steps to prevent head lice scabies;

• Avoid sharing clothes such as sports uniforms, coats, hats, hair ribbons, or barrettes.
• Do not share brushes, towels, or combs.
• Avoid head-to-head contact during activities at the playground, home, school, etc.
• Do not lie on pillows, carpets, couches, or beds that have been in contact with another person.
• Always vacuum the furniture or floor where the infested person sat or lay.
• Avoid prolonged or direct skin-to-skin contact with people experiencing scabies.
• Wash all towels and clothes before beginning the treatment.

The following products are some of the effective products for treating head lice and scabies;

• Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Lotion
• SilDerm Scar Gel
• Dermatix Silicone Gel

Many effective drugs and products are available on the click pharmacy website to prevent and treat head lice and scabies. Some gels and lotions would play an essential role in preventing and treating head lice scabies. You can contact a medical specialist at click pharmacy for the best advice. Our medical specialist will check the severity of head lice and scabies. According to the severity, the medical specialist will recommend lotion or gel. We deliver the prescribed product to your doorstep discreetly.

Usually, it takes up to two to three weeks to get maximum effects against head lice and scabies. However, treatment duration can be increased if head lice or scabies symptoms persist.

Make sure to read the product’s leaflets before starting treatment because some products may also have mild to moderate side effects on to head scalp. Therefore, you can follow the leaflet’s instructions to prevent these side effects.