What is the cause of head lice?

Head lice, with the scientific name of pediculosis (Pediculus humanus capitis), is a tiny brown or gray insect that feeds on the blood of the human scalp. Lice produce a sticky substance that firmly attaches each louse egg to the hair shaft. This creature often nests on the scalp, behind the ears and near the neck line at the back of the neck. Head lice grab hair with hook-like claws at the end of each of their six legs. Head lice are rarely found on the body, eyelashes or eyebrows. Lice on the scalp may be visible, but because they are so small, they are difficult to detect. This complication is a common and highly contagious problem, especially among children. Preschool and primary school children (3 to 11 years old) and their families are more likely to be infected with this virus. Girls get lice more than boys and women more than men.

Symptoms of head lice in men and women and common signs of lice infestation can include the following: Itching: The most common symptom of lice infestation is itching of the scalp, neck and ears. This itching is an allergic reaction to a louse bite. When a person first gets lice, they may not itch four to six weeks after the infestation. Relieve and treat itchy head with the advice of Dr. Sensation that something is moving on your hair or body: Lice usually move on the body or along the hair of people, and because of this, sometimes people feel restless so much that they cannot sleep easily. Increased Dandruff: If you have head lice, you may think that you have dandruff on your hair, but they are actually lice eggs, which are sometimes mistaken for dandruff. Dandruff can be easily detected by combing the hair or even just rubbing it. In addition, dandruff is easily removed from the hair, but the egg of the head louse is firmly attached to the hair shaft and is difficult to remove only with the tip of the nail. Red bumps on the scalp, neck, and shoulders: Lice bite your scalp, neck, and shoulders, and their bites turn into pimple-like bumps.

Having head lice is annoying, but it is not dangerous and does not cause disease. The cause of head lice in adults or the cause of head lice in children is not a sign that the person's hygiene was poor. Head lice need blood, and it doesn't matter if this blood belongs to a clean person who observes hygiene perfectly or a person who is untidy and unhygienic. Head lice can be contracted in two ways: Lice transmission is mostly direct and face-to-face because head lice crawl, but are unable to jump or fly. Contact with a previously infected person during play, school or sports activities and at school, home, party Wearing contaminated clothing, such as hats, scarves, coats, sportswear, or hair accessories Using a comb, brush or contaminated towel Using contaminated headphones Lying on a bed, couch, pillow, rug, or animal that has recently been in contact with a person with lice

Indirect transmission of lice is an unusual method and can To be done through clothes that are hung side by side on a hanger. For example, hats or scarves hung on a hook or kept in a shared closet.

Strengthening the immune system Head lice can strengthen the immune system and make you more resistant to the bites of other insects Helping to treat some diseases Some specialists in the field of pharmaceuticals use lice to improve the genetic abnormalities of humans and use them in the treatment of various diseases such as typhus, fever, etc. Used in pharmaceuticals Currently, pharmacists use head lice in the production of various drugs and in the preparation of various vaccines.

Each louse goes through 3 stages to become an adult; The first stage is when it is an egg (or larva), in the second stage it becomes a nymph (a baby that comes out of the egg), and the third stage is the adult stage of the louse. The development of the nymph itself has 3 stages and to pass each stage the nymph must eat blood. When the louse is mature, if it is not fed with food (or blood) within 24 hours, it will die. Also, if for any reason the louse egg does not open for 1 month, it will not open again. Each louse lays 10 eggs per day. Eggs hatch after 8 to 10 days, and adult lice live for about 4 to 6 weeks.

Since the treatment of lice is difficult, time-consuming and very time-consuming, it is better to try to prevent yourself or your children from getting it. For this, we suggest the following ways: In public places such as workplaces, restaurants, swimming pools, etc., hang your clothes on a separate hook from the clothes hanger and separate from other people's clothes. Do not share personal items such as combs, brushes, hair clips, hats, shawls and scarves with others. Do not lie on a bed, couch or pillow that you are not sure about its cleanliness. Do not wear other people's helmets while riding a bicycle or motorcycle.