How to Get Rid of Lice on a Child

How to Get Rid of Lice on a Child

A lice infestation is often frustrating for most parents. The frustration stems from not knowing how to get rid of lice on a child, and not from where the infestation came from.Itching is one of the most common symptoms of lice. The itching comes from the lice bites on the scalp. These bites may become infected, and may even appear crusty or red, causing your child to develop swollen lymph nodes on the neck.

Aside from itching, children who are infested with lice usually have reddish brown, or grayish, head lice wandering around their scalp. Lice are almost the same size as a sesame seed. Although they do not hop or fly, they are very fast crawlers. This makes them hard to catch.Another sign of lice is finding nits, or lice eggs, attached to the hair shafts on the scalp of children. Nits are usually oval-shaped and are very small. They are yellowish-white in color and are firmly attached to the hair shaft. They can be found one quarter inch to one half inch above the scalp and on one side of the hair.

So, you have confirmed that your child is infested with lice. Now, you can start working on an effective treatment plan. First, you must learn child head lice control.There are several treatments available for a lice infestation, such as shampoos, nits combs and essential oils.Nits and lice may be hard to find and remove. So, you should continue with the treatment several days after starting it. Aside from that, make sure to wash the bedding and clothing of your children in hot water. You should also vacuum your carpets, stuffed animals and furniture to make sure that all lice are eliminated.

Quick Facts For Head Lice Solutions:
* Children can often be seen with hair casts, or pseudonits, in their hair. These are cylinder-shaped dandruff pieces and resemble nits. Or, you may also find an empty nit far from the scalp. If you think your child is infested with head lice, or if you are unable to actually see live lice, you may want to talk to your pediatrician to get more help.

* Although natural treatments are effective, be sure to talk to your pediatrician before using one on your child. Some natural treatments may cause allergic reactions, especially if your child has very sensitive skin. Also, mayonnaise may be hard to remove from the hair of your child.

* There are other alternative treatments, such as Lindane, Ovide, Elimite or Ivermectin. Once again, speak with your pediatrician, before starting new treatments, if you really want to know how to get rid of lice.

* Children over six months of age, who are infected with lice, can be treated with Ulesfia. This is a water-soluble gel that can suffocate head lice. Other products contain pesticides and may not be safe for your child.

If you have tried a remedy and it does not seem to work, be sure to talk to your physician to learn more on how to get rid of lice before starting a new treatment. This is to make sure that there are no contraindications, and that the product will be safe for your child. Remember, treatments that can be used for adults may not be suitable for children, due to their very sensitive skin. So, you must be very careful and learn how to get rid of lice the correct way for the safety of your child.