The occurence of head lice is somewhat common among school-age children, particularly those in primary schools. Younger children are more likely to wrestle, hug and sleep close together, or share hats, clothing, brushes and combs-- all methods by which head lice might be transferred from person to person. For this reason, head lice are a concern to most parents.
Head lice begin their lives as eggs ir "nits." The term "nitpicking" originated from the painstaking effeorts required to go through a person's hair to remove head lice and thier eggs. The female louse attaches each egg to the base of hair near the scalp. One female can deposit 80 to 100 eggs during her lifetime. Nits are somewhat oval and have a cap on the top through which the nymph will emerge. They are often confused with globules of hair spray on hairs, but an experience eye can easily distinguish the difference. If the nit is founfd one inch or further from the scalp, it is likely already hatched or is dead.
The eggs hatch in approximately seven to nine days and the nymphs begin feeding on blood through scalp. The nymph will molt three times before maturing ainto and adult-- a process completed in eight to nin days. Adults may live about three weeks or a bit longer.
Because lice generally feed at night, infected persons will experience the most discomfort and itching while trying to sleep. |