Children seem to have a knack for getting injured and
contracting illnesses. Their awareness, motor coordination, and perception are
still developing, leading to frequent tumbles and falls, and poor personal
hygiene and very close contact with other children facilitate the spread of
germs. Usually, the diagnosis is the common cold, a flu, a twisted joint, or a
scratch, and after a few days, things go back to normal. However, one other
condition that often spreads between children is especially difficult to treat
and prevent, and takes more time to combat: lice, the tiny bugs that make their
homes and grow their families in people’s hair.
اضافة اعلان
Lice are considered parasites because they require a
host in order to survive. They are small, wingless, blood-sucking insects that
infest areas with hair. These parasites suck the blood from the scalp for
nutrients, feeding roughly four to five times a day, and rapidly reproduce. The
most prevalent area for lice infestations is the head — head lice in medical
nomenclature are known as Pediculosis capitis.
From tiny egg to sesame seed
Adult lice are quite small, roughly the size of a sesame seed, making them
incredibly difficult to spot. They range in color from white to brown or tan,
so they usually blend in with the color of the scalp. A female adult louse will
lay up to six eggs per day directly onto the shaft of a hair. The eggs are
attached to the hair via a secretion which acts as glue, which can make the
removal of the eggs extremely difficult. The eggs are roughly the size of a
pinhead and are usually tan to grayish-white — they are more noticeable. In
about a week, the eggs will hatch and the baby louse, known as a nymph, will
undergo three growth spurts to reach adult size within another week. Lice are
obligate parasites, which means that they cannot survive without a human host.
Furthermore, the species that infests humans is specific to humans; they cannot
be spread by animals.
All
kinds of lice
As previously mentioned, head lice are by far the most common form of
human lice. They can reside anywhere on the scalp, but commonly prefer the
hairs on the back of the neck and around the ears, where it is warmest. There
are only two ways that head lice are transmitted from person to person. The
first is direct head-to-head contact such as during hugging. The second means
of transmission is through sharing items that have a high chance of
infestation. This includes hats, hair ties, or combs and brushes.
Another form of
lice is known as body lice, or medically, Pediculosis corporis. They are
similar to head lice in many regards but differ in certain ways. The most
important distinction is that body lice reside and lay their eggs on clothing,
and only go to the skin to feed. Unfortunately, this type of lice is also
capable of carrying a number of diseases such as louse-borne typhus, relapsing
fever, and trench fever. Fortunately, body lice can be treated and prevented
much more easily than other types — by washing clothes.
The last type of
human lice, pubic lice or Pediculosis pubis, are commonly referred to as crabs
since they look like crabs under a microscope. They are the smallest type of
lice and reside on the hair in the pubic area. They are transmitted via direct
contact during sexual activity.
How to tell if you
have lice
It is first important to note that preschool and elementary school
children are at the highest risk of getting head lice. This is due to the fact
that children tend to play closely with one another. As a result, families with
school-aged children as well as those who work in close proximity with children
are also at a higher risk. Lice are easily transmitted and can be spread if
precautions are not taken. This means that anyone can get lice, regardless of
risk factor.
Lice are not
associated with poor personal hygiene. It is a common misconception that those
who skip showering or other hygiene-related steps are at a greater risk of
lice. In fact, lice prefer clean hair, as it makes it easier for them to lay
their eggs.
Regardless of the
type of lice infestation, the symptoms are generally the same. The main symptom
is itchiness, which is caused by the bites from lice. Additionally, you may
have the sensation that something is crawling around the infected area. Lastly,
sores and scabs are also common as a result of both bites and scratching.
Lice in Jordan
Data on lice in Jordan is
quite limited and varying. One study found that 13.4 percent of Jordanian
elementary school-aged children were infested with head lice, while a later
study found that 26.6 percent were infested. Although the two studies varied on
school-aged prevalence of head lice, one finding was consistent: girls were
significantly more likely to be infested with head lice than boys. This is
likely due to a difference in playing patterns, and the fact that girls are
more likely to touch each other’s hair.
In Jordan, unfortunately, studies have shown that
parents have limited knowledge about head lice. The vast majority of Jordanian
parents whose children had head lice reported feeling ashamed after learning
their child was infested, and most said they felt too embarrassed to seek help
from a healthcare provider. A study also showed that the most common home
remedy was applying kerosene to the scalp, at 61 percent — an unadvisable
treatment option. However, the government does implement an awareness campaign
on the treatment and prevention of head lice.
Treatment and prevention
There are many ways to treat
a lice infestation, all of them revolving around killing the lice and eggs as
well as treating contaminated areas and clothing. The
US CDC does not recommend
any natural or alternative products. Similarly, home remedies are generally not
effective. Kerosene and other flammable liquids should never be used on the
scalp. Mayonnaise is another common home remedy and, although it may suffocate
adult lice, it does not remove the eggs.
The most effective treatment is medical shampoo that
kills the lice. Additionally, there are special combs that can carefully remove
the eggs from the hair shaft. It is also important to clean the home or any
other area where hairs might have fallen. Clothing and bedding should be
machine washed in hot water. There is no product or method that can completely
ensure that lice will not spread; the best means of prevention is to avoid
head-to-head contact, and not to share personal items.
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