Pediculosis in children - ways of infection, symptoms, diagnosis, medication and folk remedies

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The term "pediculosis" in medicine denotes the nosological form, namely the infection of a person by insect parasites - lice. By the way, this is one of the most common problems in the world.

As a rule, an increase in the number of infected with pediculosis accompanies all sorts of disasters: war, natural or man-made disasters, socio-political crises, etc. That is, situations in which the number of people without shelter, without work, and the criminal contingent increases. Such people create around themselves foci of infection, which leads to outbreaks of head lice outbreaks.

But unfortunately, this problem also concerns socially prosperous families. Since lice settle in the hair of a person regardless of his position in society. How do they get there?

The article will consider in detail pediculosis: causes, prevention, measures to combat it in adults and children.

Natural features of head lice

Lice are narrowly specific parasites, since the wool of each animal species inhabits only a certain type of louse. Man is no exception. On it parasitize only head, clothes and pubic louses.

To better understand what pediculosis is (the causes of this problem), we will take a closer look at all the causative agents of this disease.

Head lice settle and multiply in the hair of the head, preferring at the same time temples, crown and neck. There are laid eggs, called nits. They are about 0.8 mm in size and, with the help of a secret secreted by the female during laying, stick to the hair.

The development of the individual lasts 9 days. The female lives for about a month, laying about 140 eggs during this time. It feeds often, up to 12 times a day, consuming small portions of blood (about 0.7 mg).

The female is very sensitive to temperature changes: if it goes down, the development of the insect slows down. So, at 20 ° C, the louse stops laying eggs, and the larvae suspend their development. But it is interesting that head lice do not leave febrile patients.

Where do lice live

Causes of lice another type - lice. These are larger individuals living in the folds of clothing and the seams of bed linen. Nits are glued to the villi of the fabric. By the way, this type of lice can also leave eggs on a person's body: on fluffy hair. But mostly there they move only for feeding.

The fecundity of these females is significant - up to 300 eggs. The amount of blood consumed is also considerable - up to 2 mg at a time.

Body lice do not tolerate fever and leave febrile patients, passing on to others. By the way, in search of a new object they can crawl at a speed of up to 30 mm per minute.

Features of pubic lice

Unlike clothes, pubic louses are almost immobile and spend all the time, immersing the proboscis in the skin of the host. They lay eggs on the hairs growing on the pubis, as well as on the eyebrows and eyelashes. During life, one pubic louse lays no more than 50 eggs.

Infection occurs mainly through sexual contact, but it is also possible with common towels, washcloths and bed linen.

What are dangerous lice for humans

Considering pediculosis (causes, prevention, control measures), it is impossible not to dwell on exactly what these parasites are dangerous for humans.

On the territory of Russia at the moment there are three known types of diseases transmitted by lice (we are talking about typhus and relapsing fever, as well as Volyn fever). And the main carrier of these diseases, as has already been proved, is a clothes louse. But the headache can also be a source of danger.

Causes of pediculosis in children and adults

As you have probably already guessed, the main cause of lice infestation is their transmission through direct contact from a sick person to a healthy person. It can be household items (comb, towel, clothes) or sexual contact (if we are talking about pubic lice). Often the infection occurs in public transport or places where there is a crowd of people.

And what can explain the causes of pediculosis in children? By the way, girls with long hair are especially susceptible because insects in such hair are easier to catch. Everyone knows that girls love to do each other hair. But at the same time they use common combs and barrettes. In addition, they willingly try on things of their friends, passing at the same time and pediculosis.

By the way, lice, contrary to established opinion, do not jump from one head to another. They can only crawl, and do it very skillfully. Especially in camps, where children's beds are close enough. And during active games, lice can fall from the head of a healthy child infected on the head.

Signs of lice infection

Describing pediculosis (causes, prevention, measures to combat infection), of course, not to mention the signs of the appearance of parasites in humans.

One of the first manifestations is severe itching (it is caused by the salivary lice secretion), which causes scratches and bloody crusts on the skin.

In addition, an infected person becomes irritable, and he may experience insomnia.
Lice or nits that look like dandruff are found in the hair. On closer examination it can be seen that these are whitish sacs filled with liquid, glued to the hairs.
On the ground bites appears the so-called papular urticaria (rash in the form of papules - small nodules on the skin surface).
With a long course of pediculosis, dermatitis, skin eczematization and pustular inflammations (pyoderma) develop.
And with the spread of pyoderma can be observed and an increase in lymph nodes.

Manifestations of long head, ward and pubic lice

With prolonged head lice in an infected person, hair is stuck together with a serous-purulent exudate, which, in turn, causes the formation of mats and an unpleasant smell. Even the smooth skin of the auricles, areas behind the ears and neck are affected in such a patient.

And the long-term dressing pediculosis, the causes, symptoms and treatment of which we also consider today, provokes the appearance of the so-called “skin-drifts” in the infected. This feature is expressed by melasma (dark pigmentation) and skin roughness.

In the case of a pubic form of the disease, the places where the ploshchits are introduced are “decorated” with characteristic bluish spots.

Pediculosis: causes, treatment of the disease

It is very important to remember that pediculosis cannot pass by itself. It requires compulsory treatment. Regardless of the causes of this disease, combating it includes a set of measures that help prevent the occurrence of a relapse of the disease. That is, they use both chemical means (pediculocides) and mechanical means — removing lice and larvae with a comb.

Chemical agents (ointments, shampoos and sprays) include antiparasitic components. They are prescribed depending on the course and neglect of the disease, sometimes it is necessary to conduct therapy in several stages.

Preparations for the treatment of pediculosis

The requirements for pediculocides are the same - it is the reliability and speed of the therapeutic effect, the absence of odor, side effects and economic affordability for the buyer.

In the fight against head and pubic head lice, such means of Russian production as Pedikulen R Ultra and Medilis-bio, as well as Paranit Lotion and Paranit Spray (Ireland and Belgium), Para -Plus "(France) and" Full Marx "(UK), as well as many other modern drugs.

In the course of treatment it is important to follow the instructions for use and especially to pay attention to age restrictions. In the case of skin diseases or allergies, when the use of chemicals is not possible, physicians recommend the mechanical removal of insects and nits using combing and short haircuts.

Do not use kerosene, it will kill the lice, but it will cause irreparable harm to hair! Do not use chemicals for severe scratching and inflammation on the scalp, as well as during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Prevention of infection with head lice

Treatment of pediculosis is necessarily combined with anti-epidemic actions in the family and the patient's team. They disinfect hats, clothing, bedding and the room as a whole, depending on the epidemiological situation.

And for the prevention of the disease is very important personal hygiene: hair care, regular change of bed and underwear, the individual use of clothing, hats and hairbrushes. Prophylactic examinations also help reduce the risk of lice infestation.

As you have probably seen, head lice (causes, prevention, measures to combat it) are all very important topics for maintaining the health of a large number of people. Therefore, be careful of yourself and children, do not ignore the signs of lice, follow the precautions and you will be able to avoid parasites. Be healthy!

What is pediculosis in children?

Pediculosis is a parasitic disease caused by different types of lice. Depending on the pathogen and the localization of the habitat of the parasites, a head, pubic, and dress type is distinguished. Any form of pathology is accompanied by skin itching, strong scratching with the formation of soak or crusts, pyoderma. The main route of infection is contact, in case of contact with heads or using common things, toys. The main treatment is aimed at treatment of the affected areas with insecticides, disinfection of underwear and bed linen.

Why do lice appear on children’s heads?

The lack of hygiene rules leads to the development of this parasitic disease. The etiology of pathology in people from wealthy families is a high contact in the team. Causes of pediculosis in children:

Contact with an infected person. Lice crawl on the scalp, clothing, body with close contact. This is the most common way of infection in the children's team, because children spend a lot of time together.
The use of items infected with insects. Parasites remain on the towel, bedding, mattress, pillow, clothes, hat, scarf, comb, hairpin and other things used by a patient with pediculosis. Live nits that stay on things can mature over time. Favorite place lice and children's and soft toys.
Public places. You can become infected with parasitic disease anywhere. This may be a swimming pool, bath, hairdresser, changing room or train. In this way, infection rarely occurs.
Water, beach, sandbox. Lice survive in water for about 2 days, so the parasite can be caught in the pond. In the sand, a live insect can wait for a while for a new host.

Pediculosis in a child is very easy to identify at home with a close examination of the scalp. To do this, use a fine comb, comb your hair over a white sheet of paper or cloth. You can pass a special diagnosis - dermatoscopy, which will confirm or refute the diagnosis.Often, a survey requires good vision and lighting. Signs of pediculosis in children:

Itching is the first sign of the disease.. Pay attention to the child, if he often scratches his head, it is better to examine it. The skin is scratched in places where lice are located - these are the temples, the back of the head and behind the ears. Sometimes it itches so much that a person scratches it to the blood.
Rash on the scalp. During a bite, a louse secretes a liquid that causes irritation and allergic reactions. With careful consideration at the site of bites, you can consider swelling, redness, papules.
Nits (lice eggs) on the hair. Their size is very small up to 1 mm, they are translucent, gray or white. Eggs are tightly attached to the hair, so they are difficult to remove. Nits are live or empty. The living ones emit a characteristic click when crushed, while the empty ones do not click and stay on their hair for a very long time after treatment. Pathology is diagnosed when nits appear, because an adult louse is hard to see. Parasite eggs ripen from 4 to 13 days.
Live adults. In a mature louse, an elongated body, white or yellowish, may have a brown tint. The parasites are much smaller than the eggs they lay. With a very advanced form of insects can be seen on the hair, clothing and skin of the face, neck.
Anxiety, poor sleep, neurological disorders. The constant itch prevents the child from getting enough sleep because of this, he is restless, irritable, sluggish.
Psychological disorders. Pediculosis causes disgust and disgust in surrounding people, psychological pressure is put on a child because of this, he has a bad mood, depression, a sense of shame.

Varieties

Pediculosis is caused by three types of parasites. Each of which causes its own type of disease:

Head. Louse lives, breeds on the scalp. This disease affects children and people who lead an asocial lifestyle.
Pubic. The skin of the scrotum or pubis is affected; with a strong infection, the parasites can live on eyelashes, eyebrows, armpits, breasts in men. More often the disease is transmitted through sexual contact, but infection through common objects is possible: a washcloth, bed, towel and other hygiene items.
Wardrobe. These parasites live in the folds of linen and clothing. They feed on the blood of people from areas of skin with which things come into contact (neck, waist, etc.).

In the modern world, the most common form of head lice is the headand it occurs in children. This is attributed to the fact that people of this age group are more often in a separate team and do not follow the necessary rules of personal hygiene. According to statistics, the most infected category of citizens is young people aged 15–25 years, and after it, children and adolescents up to 13–14 years old suffer most.

Complications

Lice bites cause severe itching, so when combing these places on the scalp wounds with crusts form, which can fester when attaching a secondary infection. Pediculosis is complicated by impetiginous eczema, pyoderma, and with a very severe form, the hair rolls into mats that have the smell of rot. On your body lice carry various infectious diseases, the most dangerous of which is typhus.

How to detect lice in a child

Pediculosis in children is discovered by parents, a pediatrician or a nurse in a children's institution. It is very important to correctly and timely identify the disease because the symptoms are very similar to other diseases (for example, with scabies). The main ways:

Parental diagnosis in this case for self-detection of the disease need to conduct an examination of the temporal and occipital region. Carefully review the hair and skin for convenience, divided into partings. Head louse (adult) up to 4 mm in size, elongated, grayish or whitish in color.The main symptom of a child is the detection of live nits or adult parasites on the scalp, but they can only be found with a strong infection. It is very easy to distinguish insect dandruff eggs. Nits are not separated from the hair, and if you crush them, you hear a click.

Medical diagnostics, which is carried out by a pediatrician. Wood is used for this method. When used, live nits glow a bluish color. In the event that a child is infected, a thorough examination of all people who have been in contact with it is carried out. With a large spread of the disease, the institution is closed for quarantine. When diagnosing this pathology, the doctor needs to make a differential diagnosis with dermatitis, urticaria, eczema or psoriasis.

How to remove lice

Treatment of pediculosis occurs at home. There are three ways to get rid of the disease. Detailed description of each of them:

The chemical method is based on the treatment of the child’s head with various anti-pedicular creams, shampoos, aerosols, and lotions. It is recommended to consult a doctor before using any drug. If you started to fight with pediculosis yourself, carefully choose a medicine and be sure to read the instructions.
The mechanical method is to comb and manually remove nits, adult insects. The procedure is best done in good light. It is necessary to comb through a thick comb hair, and then bust through each strand of hair, removing adult parasites and their eggs.
A comprehensive way that is considered the most effective. First, the hair is chemically treated with any effective remedy for pediculosis, and then combing and manual treatment. Pediatricians recommend using this method to treat this parasitic disease.

Pediculosis medicine for children is produced in different dosage forms, it can be shampoo, ointment, emulsion, aerosol, cream, lotion, powder, solution. Children's preparations for lice (insecticides) are produced on the basis of three active substances:

Permethrin is a substance with a neurotoxic effect (it immobilizes live insects and destroys nits). Recently, preparations based on this substance have been ineffective, and after its use, lice survival has been observed. The most common drugs: Nittifor, Knicks cream, Medifox, Nok.
Malathion - this substance paralyzes the louse and penetrates into the insect, poisoning it from the inside. It is classified as a strong insecticide and is used in the form of lice if the other means are not effective. Preparations based on this active ingredient: Malathion, Pedilin, Novaktion.
Phenotrin is one of the safest children's remedies because it is less toxic. It paralyzes adult insects, but does not act on nits, therefore it is ineffective. Apply it better at the initial manifestations of the disease. These drugs include: Parasidosis, Itax. For children under 2.5 years old, only the use of Phenotrin Lotion is permitted.

Pedicide remedies for children can be of different varieties, which are created using a large number of active ingredients. These drugs include:

Combination drugs that contain two or more active substances. They act very effectively, while destroying live parasites and nits. The composition of these funds: Permethrin, Butoxide, Piperonil, Pirethrin. The most common are: Reed, Pair Plus, Piperonyl Butoxide.
Preparations from vegetable or synthetic oils. The most famous Paranit means based on clearol and anise. These substances block the flow of air to insects, after which they die. Mineral oils heal skin scratching on the head and dry, destroy the eggs of parasites.
The drug Benzylbenzoate, which is produced in the form of 10%, 20% ointment or in the form of a 10% emulsion. The tool is used for children from 3 years strictly on doctor's prescription. This active substance is able to accumulate inside the parasite and destroy it, and the larvae and most nits die from it (some can survive). Benzyl Benzoate contains an antibacterial component that stops the reproduction of various bacteria and the development of a secondary infection.

Home treatment

Treatment of pediculosis in children at home can be done in different ways. The most famous of them are:

Herbal remedies that contain natural essential oils and plant extracts such as anise, geranium, basil, rosemary. They have an insecticidal effect. The effect of this method has not been proven and therefore doctors do not recommend its use.
An electric hairbrush that kills a louse by a discharge of electrical current. Use of this device is possible only on dry hair for security purposes. This method does not guarantee high efficiency.
Manual destruction of lice and nits. Insects are killed by crushing between the nails.. The effectiveness of this method is not high, because some parasites can crawl back to the inspected areas of the scalp, and the person conducting the inspection runs the risk of contracting pediculosis.
Shave your head well. This cardinal method is used to rehabilitate home foci in disadvantaged families.

Combing lice

The method of combing lice is very old, but it is considered effective if several rules are followed. It is important to apply this method four times at regular intervals of two weeks. The procedure should be done after thoroughly washing the hair. Then they should be applied with a thick conditioner, combed with a comb with rare teeth.

Ways and causes of infection with head lice

In order to know exactly how prevention against lice can help against infection, you should first understand the causes and ways of transmission of lice, as well as determine what lice and nits are afraid of, which can scare them away.

The disease is caused by blood-sucking insects - lice, which parasitize in the hair of the head and other parts of the body. The most common are head lice. Infection with pediculosis is possible in the following ways:

close contact with infected children in a team: during games, fights, studies,
through the things used by the infected person: hairpins and combs, hats, and bed linen,
during a visit to the pool or gym, because parasites can survive even in water,
during the summer period - in camps and sanatoriums, where there may be unsanitary conditions,
Often the “push” to the development of the disease is a reduced immunity, a stressful situation, and troubles in the life of a child or an older student.

The most favorable conditions for the emergence of pediculosis are unhygienic, existing in military camps, places of immigrants during natural disasters, because the people living there rarely change clothes and do not have the opportunity to wash regularly and monitor personal hygiene.

Symptoms of Pediculosis

Very often, clear signs of louse damage become noticeable only 2-3 weeks after infection, when insects have time to multiply and lay many eggs.

The main symptom of pediculosis is frequent scratching of the head by a person, when visual inspection has already seen wounds and scratches on the skin caused by lice bites. Near the roots of the hair, you can see the eggs of parasites hanging on them, which are not shaken off and not removed with the help of fingers or nails - this is the main difference between nits and dandruff. Within a few days, young nymph larvae will appear from nits of lice.

When the disease and late detection of parasites, when there is no treatment for lice, the possible complications: the development of skin infections, dermatitis and furunculosis, lymphadenitis, as well as infection with typhus or fever.

Living conditions do not affect the probability of lice infestation; even the cleanest person can, due to accidental contact with a patient, get a few “bloodsuckers” on his head. In addition, they prefer to settle in clean hair, consuming blood through the skin, not thickened by a layer of fat or dirt.

Preventive measures

Measures of prevention of pediculosis, which must be taken by all people, are divided into 2 types: passive and active-preventive (warning). They are designed to prevent infection of adults and children who attend public institutions:

Prevent communication and bodily contact with those who live in unsanitary conditions: homeless, displaced or refugees, when they have signs of lice.
For adults, doctors recommend avoiding accidental bodily and sexual relationships, during which you can get pubic lice, even more unpleasant parasites.
It is forbidden to use other people's things and headdresses, personal hygiene items (towels, brushes, kerchiefs, hairpins, hoops, combs, etc.).
Regularly carry out the change of bedding and underwear, it is desirable to wash them in hot water or boil.
Periodically inspect the head in his and all family members for the appearance of parasites. As the lice and nits in the hair, clearly demonstrates the photo.
Treat your hair using a pediculosis prevention shampoo with a scaring effect. For this fit any means intended to combat lice.

Prevention is especially necessary when contacting people who are likely to be infected with lice: in special detention centers, refugee camps, during hostilities among their participants. Those who visit or live in such places should be especially careful to take protective measures against lice infestation.

Medical Prevention

In modern pharmacies, there are many special tools and medicines available that are used to effectively prevent and treat pediculosis:

Nittifor is a cream based on permethrin, used to treat and prevent lice,
Hygia - shampoo and comb, which are used to get rid of lice, is recommended for use by adults and children over 2 years old,
Gel or emulsion Pedilin - parasite control products containing malathion,
Pair-Plus aerosol - used to kill lice, disinfect bedding and underwear: to prevent insects, it is enough to do a few taps and spray a small amount of the substance onto the hair. Similarly, Nuda spray is applied.

Protection against lice and nits can be carried out by both pharmacy and home remedies. When choosing any of them, it must be remembered that many contain insecticides and are toxic not only for insects: they can be harmful to health in the form of an allergic reaction, etc. Therefore, choosing for prevention between more effective chemical preparations and herbal and folk remedies that have fewer contraindications, should pay attention to the age and health of a sick person.

Home remedies for lice prevention

To reduce the risk of infection with head lice, the following activities can also be taken at home:

Wash your head every 7-10 days with special parasite-repellent shampoos: Knicks, Veda, Biosim, Paranit, Lavinal, Permin, etc. For washing, 5-7 ml of shampoo is enough to keep on the head for 15-20 minutes.
Apply to the hair essential natural oils: lavender, tea tree, rosemary, anise, mint, etc., which are afraid of smells of lice. 2-3 drops of such a substance can be put on the hair or rinsed with a solution of water and oil. Before using the solution, the container must be stirred up, because the oily substances do not dissolve in water.
Folk remedies are also used for the prevention of pediculosis: infusions of odorous herbs, occasionally carry out headwashing with tar soap, which contains toxic substances that kill lice.
For the same purpose, hair is treated with hellebore water, but it must be applied carefully because of the likely allergic reaction of the skin, especially in babies.
Buy antiparasitic spray in the store for the prevention of lice, it is used to process things. Such drugs as LysGard, Roshtov, are specially designed for prophylaxis, they contain essential oils and plant extracts to protect against insects, are applied in the morning and are valid for 24 hours.

Pediculosis prevention for children

Prevention of pediculosis in children

According to statistics, children most often become infected with lice from 4 to 11 years old, when visiting various groups, through personal belongings. In children, the disease manifests itself more acutely and vividly: they begin to itch actively, quickly acquiring sores, where ulcers and inflammatory processes may occur during secondary infection.

Therefore, prevention of head lice in children visiting various institutions is particularly relevant: kindergartens, schools, sports sections, where there are close contacts with possible carriers of parasites. To reduce the risk of infection, parents should follow these rules:

Every day, carefully comb the hair of children and inspect the presence of insects and their larvae.
Long hair girls better tie a high tail or braid in braids.
Haircut and shampoo regularly.
Replace bedding and personal items in a timely manner.
To ensure that children are examined regularly at school by medical workers for the detection of head lice, and when patients are found, isolate them from healthy people and avoid possible contact.
When patients with head lice are found in the children's team, carefully examine the head of the child: if lice or nits are found, then treatment should be carried out not only in the infected, but also in all family members.

From an early age, parents should talk with their children with explanations and warnings about the dangers of pediculosis for health, about the rules of personal hygiene, the inadmissibility of wearing someone else's clothes and not using their own combs and other items that come into contact with their hair.

According to sanitary rules, for the purposes of prophylaxis, kindergartens and schools should be regularly examined by a doctor for head lice of all children at certain intervals. If there are cases of pediculosis, the room is subjected to sanitary treatment, and a group or class is quarantined for 2 weeks, after which children are allowed to visit this institution only upon presentation of a certificate from the local doctor about the absence of lice.

Parents of infected children, either alone or after consulting a pediatrician, use lice medications, destroy them and comb the nits out of their hair.

Protective measures "for all occasions"

The safest and most effective prevention against lice and nits is regular personal hygiene. There are also daily rules to protect against the attack of the “bloodsuckers”:

Use only their things and hats.
Change bed and underwear often.
Swim regularly to all family members, wash your hair and body.
For lovers of tourism and travel: after a trip, visiting a hotel, staying in a train, plane and other transport, you need to put things and suitcases in quarantine for 2 weeks, during this time all the parasites will die from starvation.
Apply protective equipment with a sharp, insect repellent, smell not only on the hair, but also on clothes and things.
Hairstyle is better done easier and shorter, and long hair pinned up or collected in a bun.
Periodically clean the upholstered furniture, carpets with a vacuum cleaner, clean the floor in the house with a damp cloth and keep the room clean.

The main rule relating to pediculosis, as well as to any other diseases, is that it is much easier to prevent it than to treat it.

Pediculosis in children

Pediculosis in children (lice) is an ectoparasitic infection carried by blood-sucking insects (lice) that live on the body of a child. For humans, three types of lice are dangerous: Pediculus humanus capitis (head louse), Pediculus humanus sorporis (clothes louse) and Pediculus pubis (pubic louse). Each type of lice has its own place of parasitism and causes the corresponding manifestations of lice. Head lice is more commonly found in children, pubic lice is mostly in young people, and head lice is usually found in elderly people living in poor sanitary conditions.

The epidemiological spread of pediculosis among children and adults is a socially significant problem, the solution of the medical aspects of which is engaged in pediatrics, dermatology and venereology. According to official statistics, the most infected with head lice age group is the youth from 15 to 24 years old (35%), followed by children and adolescents up to 14 years old (27%), and finally adults aged 35 to 50 years old (16% ). Among organized children, head pediculosis is most often found in pupils of children's homes, boarding schools and kindergartens.

Causes of pediculosis in children

The opinion that pediculosis only affects socially disadvantaged children is deeply mistaken. In children, lice are found in about every fifth child, regardless of his cleanliness and living conditions. Only a person can be the source of lice, so for infection it is enough to be in close contact with a sick pediculosis child in a kindergarten, school, summer camp or other children's team. Lice can be transferred from a patient to a healthy child by using common hygiene products (towels, hairbrushes, hairpins, hats), during active outdoor games, etc. Girls with long hair that require careful care are most susceptible to the incidence of pediculosis. Often the incidence of pediculosis among children has the nature of outbreaks in organized groups, the peak of the incidence in the summer-autumn.

Infants can become infected with pediculosis through the bed of adults or during close contact with parents who have lice (when feeding, carrying on their hands, etc.). Infection of children with pediculosis is possible during haircuts in a hairdressing salon where sanitary standards are not observed, in a public bath, in transport, during mass bathing in artificial and natural reservoirs. Adolescents can get pubic lice along with sexually transmitted infections (STIs: gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, ureaplasmosis, etc.) through sexual contact.

Factors contributing to infection with pediculosis are weakening of the immune system, visits to children's groups or public places, poor sanitary and hygienic conditions, the early age of the onset of sexual activity.

Crawling on a new owner's hair or clothes, female lice lay eggs (nits), which are tightly attached to the hair shaft with the help of a sticky secret. After 6-8 days, the larvae emerge from the eggs, which after several molts (after 10 days) turn into a mature louse that is able to lay eggs. The life cycle of head lice is about 38 days, clothes - 46 days, pubic (ploschits) - 17 days.During this time, adults are able to lay up to 350-400 eggs. The optimal temperature for lice development is 25–27 ° C.

Diagnosis of pediculosis in children

Pediculosis in a child can be detected by parents, a nurse or a pediatrician, who periodically examine children in an organized team or clinic, sometimes by hairdressers. Pubic pediculosis is more often diagnosed by a pediatric dermatologist or pediatric gynecologist.

A typical diagnostic sign of pediculosis in children is the visual detection of adult parasites or live nits in the hair. Unlike dandruff, nits are not separated from the hair, they erupt a click when crushed. For the detection of pediculosis in children, an inspection under the Wood's lamp is used - live nits emit a fluorescent bluish glow. When identifying a sick child, an examination of all contact persons for lice is mandatory.

Differential diagnosis of pediculosis in children is carried out with seborrheic dermatitis, urticaria, atopic dermatitis, strophulus (pediatric pussy), trichomycosis, primary pyoderma, microbial eczema, impetigo, psoriasis debut.

Pediculosis treatment in children

For the treatment of various forms of pediculosis in children, special preparations with pediculicidal and ovicidal activity based on karbofos, permethrin, combined preparations, etc. are used. These products are available in the form of shampoos, emulsions, lotions, aerosols, and for complete eradication of parasites require 1-2 times of use, they can also be used for the treatment of underwear and bedding, disinsection of premises.

In order to better detach the nits, it is recommended to treat the hair with a weak solution of acetic acid diluted in water, after which after 10-15 minutes, comb the nits with a frequent comb or remove them manually.

With pyoderma, antimicrobial ointment treatment of the affected skin is performed.

Prognosis and prevention of pediculosis in children

Proper treatment of pediculosis in children with the help of modern drugs leads to the rapid and complete destruction of lice. The reappearance of pediculosis in children is possible if the source of infection has not been identified and treated, and contact with it has not been terminated. Timely treatment of pediculosis in children is the key to preventing bacterial infections of the skin, sepsis, and typhus, especially in debilitated children.

Prevention of pediculosis among children involves increasing the sanitary culture, instilling in children the rules of personal hygiene, regular changing of bedding and clothes, washing clothes at high temperatures, regular washing of the head and body, and sex education. It is extremely important to carefully examine all children attending kindergartens and schools for pediculosis. Sick children should be isolated from the team at the time of treatment for pediculosis. Sanitation and hygiene measures should be carried out at home and in an institution.

Methods for transmitting pediculosis

There are several options for the transition of the disease from one carrier to another.

Close contact during outdoor games or academic work. For example, children sitting at the same desk may become infected with this ailment.

Through items of individual use - usually the manifestation in this case occurs through the bows, scarves and hats, combs.

Regular visits to sections - sports halls, swimming pool entail an increase in the likelihood of infection with pediculosis.

Children's camps and other establishments that do not have enough good sanitary conditions, suggest an increase in the likelihood of contracting the disease.

Prevention of pediculosis and scabies in such places is a mandatory measure to prevent the occurrence of these parasites.

Types of human lice

Head parasites (carry out damage to the temporal and occipital parts, less often appear on the entire head),

clothes insects live in clothes, in its seams and folds, sometimes they move to the body to get food and bite the victim,

pubic lice usually live in the groin, less often in other parts of the skin.

To know how not to get infected with this disease, it is necessary to study its main symptoms in order to quickly identify the carrier and the source of the disease and carry out preventive measures.

Symptoms of the disease in children

From the moment the parasites hit the skin to full infection, it can take several weeks, but it will not be difficult to recognize the disease.

Strong itching sensation in places where lice bite,

the formation of skin rashes and red spots on the scalp,

the child begins to actively scratch the bites of parasites, and scratches appear,

nits can be found in the hair, and see them with the naked eye.

If you prevent the formation of parasites failed, the first steps to be taken are to isolate from the team (stop sending to kindergarten, school, sports clubs and other public places). Therapeutic measures are held strictly on the basis of consultation with a specialist. But it is worth knowing that there are measures for the prevention of head lice, which will allow you to prevent the occurrence of parasites on your own at home. Consider the main directions.

Spray Form

This form of remedies is good in that they are easy to apply and quickly spread to the entire surface of the skin. In addition, they are safe in composition and simple in use.

A pair of anti-lice plus is used to disinfect clothes and bed linen,

Paranit-repellent - the drug contains anise oil based on, which helps to scare intruders. Protection is provided for a day, the product does not contain toxins and is 100% safe to use. The main goal is the prevention of pediculosis.

A-steam is a disinfectant intended for processing bed linen, clothes of a child, as well as his other personal items. The tool for the prevention of lice effectively destroys the parasites that have already appeared.

Rosh Tov - the product contains essential oils and extracts of folk remedies - plants with antiseptic effect. Aimed at preventing disease and, if necessary, at treatment.

LiceGuard - this drug is strictly prophylactic, has a smell that can repel insects, and is used to process clothing.

When using these drugs, the likelihood of lice infection is reduced to zero.

Creams for preventive measures

Nittifof - is an effective cream used for prophylactic, therapeutic and rehabilitation procedures in relation to the disease.

Knicks - a tool made on the basis of permethrin, can be used for children who have reached six months. A single application of the composition provides protective measures up to 6 weeks and high-quality treatment.

Hygia - has a pronounced effect, but is not recommended for use for up to two years.

Shampoos against the appearance of pediculosis

NOC is an effective creamy shampoo that is approved for use by children over 2 years old.

Biosim - the product is made on the basis of the active ingredient of permethrin, it is actively used for preventive measures for children from 5 years old.

Parasidosis can be used to eliminate head lice and their prevention from the age of three months. The drug is based on cocamidopropyl and coconut acid, which have the properties to actively fight parasites.

Pedilin is not very dangerous for humans, but it is an effective drug that kills insects. If the composition is in contact with the skin for a long time, an allergic reaction may occur.

Gels and emulsions

Veda is an effective prophylactic agent applied to wet hair before it dries. Due to the likelihood of allergic reactions it is necessary to ensure careful application.

Pedilin - available in the form of an emulsion or gel, effectively fights lice and nits.

Applying any of the above means for the prevention of pediculosis, you must carefully comb the baby's hair using a rare comb, and then use a comb with frequent teeth. If you wash your hair with such shampoos every few weeks, you can ensure the protective properties of uninvited guests, as well as destroy those parasites that have already appeared (if it happened).

It is important to know!

The use of the comb acts as a relatively effective non-chemical agent for prophylaxis. It is supposed to conduct a mechanical combing of parasitic insects.

Measures and actions of home prevention

If the child attends public institutions, it is necessary to conduct home therapy to reduce the risk of infection.

Every day to inspect the head on the nits,

to braid girls tight braids or make bunches,

daily carefully comb your hair

cut hair on a regular basis

to accustom the child to the rules of hair hygiene,

ensure timely change of linen and clothes,

add to the shampoo popular preventive drugs.

Taking preventive measures in kindergarten

In preschool institutions, lice are not uncommon, and everything is connected with the lack of awareness of parents about preventive measures. As part of the requirements and standards in the garden should inspect each child enrolled, as well as conduct weekly inspections. In the presence of infection, it is necessary to take a number of measures.

carry out such an event as prevention of typhus,

be sure to isolate the infected guys

inspect all babies who have been in contact with the infection carriers,

give information to the clinic that serves the infected child,

carry out thorough wet cleaning and disinfection measures,

check for compliance with all premises DOW.

These measures will prevent large-scale lice and create favorable conditions for children.

Mechanism of infection with head lice

The appearance of lice in children, especially in babies, is a frequent occurrence. Contact children, direct. Peer interaction is inextricably linked to touch. Access to the contact is limitless: kids communicate with everyone, regardless of appearance, financial status, health status.

Contact distribution method

Transmission of lice through close contact is the most characteristic route of infection inherent in adults and children. All sorts of games involve touches, hugs, fights. Due to this, the parasites infest lightning.

Lice, due to the natural way of movement (fast crawling through the hair with the help of tenacious legs, supplied with claws), successfully hook on the clothes, hair of an accidental neighbor. Under favorable circumstances, a few seconds are enough for infection.

Proven! Parasites are endowed with a sensitive sense of smell. The smell of a little lanky person, excited from running, attracts an insect. Additional fragrances (perfumes, cosmetics) are rarely present. This only enhances the attractiveness of the kid for the insect.

Conditions favoring infection

The reasons why children are at particular risk are varied. Increased contact and spontaneity are not the only ones on the list. Other factors that favor lice infestation include:

Long thick hair - facilitates insect maneuverability, improves the conditions for further parasitic activity.
Neglecting personal hygiene requirements: unwashed, uncombed hair is an excellent medium for lice.
Poor living environment for children: the environment - poor sanitation, crowded stay, frequent communication with strangers - improve the situation of lice infection.
Insufficient vigilance of parents: lack of proper attention to behavior, complaints of offspring, ignoring problems - leads to late detection of infection by parasites, aggravation of the situation, complication of the treatment process.

Such conditions facilitate lint inconspicuous introduction, the subsequent resettlement inside the baby's hair. It remains only to think where the problem of lice infection comes from.

Have You will also find the answer on our website if nerves can cause lice.

Object distribution method

Subject infection is well realized among children. Kids tend to share things: toys, clothes, jewelry. They are attracted to bright, unusual alien objects. Other things carry the greatest risk of lice infestation.

On clothing, hairpins, elastic bands, dolls of strangers may be present parasites. A thing that happened to have a baby for a few minutes will give way to a tiny louse. The apparent danger lies in jewelry, hats, clothing in contact with the hair.

Sometimes children unintentionally take other people's things, taking them for their own. A fleeing panama, a baseball cap dropped during a fight, and a slipped bow also carry a threat. The use of these things without prewashing should be abandoned. Especially if they managed to visit someone else's hair.

Key infection sites

Children can infect lice absolutely everywhere. Children from different families come to the outdoor playgrounds. At first glance it is impossible to determine whether a danger bears an alien child. Moving off the slide one by one, touching the hair, giving each other a swing, playing along with the sand are characteristic ways of lice transmission in normal conditions.

An organized team (school, kindergarten) carries an increased threat. In the general group there are children from different families. Close interaction allows for a contact, substantive method of transmitting parasites. Identify the patient lice can not immediately. The crowded pastime further increases the risk of lice spreading.

Special attention should be paid to special purpose institutions: boarding schools, receivers, children's camps, and long-term medical facilities. It is there that ideal conditions are observed for the spread of parasites.

Lack of proper parental control, little attention from adults, lack of hygienic hygiene conditions — all favor lice infection.

Preventive actions

Any disease is easier to prevent than to cure. Pediculosis is also a concern. Any suspicious situation fraught with lice infestation involves preventive measures. When it comes to children, it is doubly necessary.

We recommend to read: the lice are dangerous to humans.

Behavior and hygiene

The main place in the prevention of pediculosis is precisely following the basics of safety. It is important to teach the offspring the rules of behavior, hygiene. Keeping distance with strangers will help protect the way lice spread.

The younger generation must understand why there is a danger of using other people's things. It is better to abandon the beautiful hairpins, hats, than to engage in the treatment of pediculosis.

Collision with parasites will definitely be remembered. It is necessary to show insects to the child, clearly explain that it was the insects that gave him significant inconvenience. Do not scare offspring, telling omens, legends, telling about lice.

Properly presented information is easy to understand. Warnings will help to pay attention to the behavior, hygiene. Re-infection with lice baby does not want to admit.

It is necessary to closely monitor children's hair.Boys it is advisable to make short haircuts. Girls - gently clean hair. Mandatory brushing, keeping clean hygiene tools will help you learn basic tidying lessons.

Children are regularly washed, they change their underwear, bedding. Keep the house clean. Particular attention is paid to carpets, curtains, sofas, soft toys.

Important! Children need to explain that attention to the various symptoms, the environment is necessary. The head is constantly scratched, a pimple appeared, a blister, a neighbor on a desk complains about such manifestations - be sure to share it with adults. False alarm, real danger: together the problem will quickly find a solution.

Visual inspection

The main preventive measure against lice is a regular visual inspection. For this small subject is seated under good lighting. For better control of the situation, it is desirable that the person being examined does not move. Crest take thin strand of hair. Make a careful inspection for the presence of lice.

The presence of insects, perturbations inside the head of hair should guard. Lice endowed with low-key color. Often insects merge with natural hair color. The just-fed parasite has a more pronounced brown color. It's easier to spot such a louse.

Insect nits should not be overlooked. These are rounded, whitish, small-sized formations located close to the hair roots. Often nits are called dandruff. Unlike the latter, lice eggs are difficult to separate from the hair. When pressing with nails, the nit makes a noticeable click. How to distinguish nits from dandruff, read our website.

Visually inspect the offspring regularly. Timely problem is easier to fix. Close attention should be directed to the child from spring to autumn, when the spread of lice is more common.

After attending mass events, playing games with other children, staying in sanatoriums, camps, and other groups, it is necessary to increase vigilance. The check is performed not only after the child returns home, but also for 1-2 weeks after that. The incubation period of the disease is great, the symptoms of lice show up after a while.

In addition to inspection for the presence of lice and nits, assess the condition of the skin. The sudden appearance of redness, foci of inflammation, pustules, scratching indirectly indicates the presence of lice.

If in doubt, a home examination can confirm the suspicion in the doctor’s office. The specialist will conduct a professional assessment of the condition. Examination with a magnifying glass, Wood's lamps will help to diagnose or refute suspicions.

Prophylactic agents

Lavender, tea tree oils will be an excellent preventive measure. Lice respond well to odors. Such flavors are unpleasant to them. A drop of oil is rubbed between the fingers, applied to the skin behind the ears, through the hair on the back of the head. Such a measure will be salvation from head lice before attending public events.

Esters of rosemary, mint, eucalyptus, lemon also fit. Pleasant aroma will additionally prevent colds.

Attention! When using essential oils should be careful about their dosage. A large amount of the product can cause irritation, burns. Especially on the delicate skin of the baby.

A good preventive measure against lice is considered a spray with insecticides. Spraying the substance over the head is useful before visiting events that are dangerous in terms of infection. The use of drugs for lice can be carried out if you suspect the presence of insects in the hair. The main thing is to choose the right tool. Many preparations for lice are contraindicated in children. The right decision will be: Paranit, Lavinal, Neath Free.

Do not use sprays to prevent lice infection too often.Chemicals can adversely affect the health of the fragile body.

For the prevention of using shampoos. It is permissible to add a couple of drops of a suitable essential oil to an ordinary detergent. Easier to purchase a specialized drug. For prevention, treatment of children choose: Pedilin, Medifox, Knicks. The release form is suitable as a preventive. To prevent lice infestation, you just need to wash your hair with shampoo, as usual. It is advisable to simultaneously produce prevention to all family members.

Lice infestation is perceived as an unpleasant phenomenon. Such a misunderstanding can happen to anyone. Especially when it comes to children. You can prevent infection with properly planned prevention.

Useful videos

Pediculosis. How to get rid of lice.

Lice and scab - School Doctor Komarovsky.

How pediculosis is spreading

Lice are very small blood-sucking insects that infest in a person's hair. They are saturated with a small amount of blood and particles of the skin. They live for a short time, no more than two days without food, but if the temperature drops to 10 ° C, the louse adjusts to the conditions and can exist up to 10 days. Insects do not have the ability to jump or fly, but the problem is that they multiply at lightning speed, and it is very difficult to get them out, especially when several family members already have pediculosis. Infection occurs by direct contact with the head of an already ill person, and in rare cases, when using his comb or headgear. The basis of the peak spread of pediculosis occurs in the spring and summer.

Regular inspection of the head and limiting contact with the infected

According to the rules, if lice appear in an institution, then the sanitary-epidemiological service should be called immediately. The law requires that the management of any children's team refuse to accept a child suffering from pediculosis. Constant examinations of the scalp, conducted by school and pre-school health workers, will help to quickly identify the problem and begin to solve it. Parents are informed about the detection of lice in the child, who are immediately given instructions on the nature of the treatment and its duration. Until full recovery sick should remain at home. Back to school or kindergarten, it is accepted only on the basis of a certificate from the doctor with permission. All this is done in order to protect other children and prevent mass spread of the disease.

After infection, parents take responsibility for the treatment.

First of all, parents should have a conversation with their children, explain that you can not share with anyone personal things: hats, scarves and other items of clothing, hairbrushes and soft toys. Also, do not use other people's things.

In the process of development, the louse passes through the stages of the egg (nits) and nymph, therefore, when examining the head, it is necessary to pay attention not only to adult individuals.

Personal hygiene and daily laundry

If a louse accidentally gets on the hair, but has not yet had time to lay eggs, then an elementary shampoo will help prevent the development of the disease, during which the parasite will be washed off with water. Therefore, do not neglect hygiene.

You should wash every day, then the risk of falling ill with pediculosis will be lower

You should also refrain from wearing things that were previously worn, and sleep on the "yesterday's" pillowcases, sheets and duvet covers. Lice spread rapidly, and from the moment an opportunity to become infected, bed linen, towels and, of course, clothes fall into the number of “dangerous” items. Therefore, washing for a while should be a regular exercise. All things, especially hats and scarves, as well as bedding should be changed every day, stretching in hot water and after drying, always stroking.

Home prevention

At home, you need to perform the following steps:

Daily comb the hair of the child and himself, using a comb with frequent teeth.
If there is an epidemic in school or kindergarten, the boy can be trimmed baldly, and the girl should be gathered in a “bundle” before going to the institution. If they are dissolved, the risk of infection increases, and if they are removed, insects have nothing to cling to.
To carry out wet cleaning every day, and clean carpets and upholstered furniture every three days.
Regularly view and wash personal items and hats, as well as bedding, pillows and toys.

The decision of parents to leave the child at home during an epidemic of pediculosis, unfortunately, does not always save them from infection. During outbreaks of the disease in any public institution, lice have time to multiply and transfer from one head to another. As a result, some are cured, while others, on the contrary, get sick. And when the child, having stayed at home, comes to his class again, the possibility of lice and nits appearing in his head is still there. However, it is not as high as during the peak of the disease. Therefore, isolation of a healthy child from the diseased is a good measure of prevention. Another thing is that an epidemic can be long and sluggish, and it is impossible not to attend school for weeks or months. Anyway, sooner or later have to go there. Therefore, you need to explain to the child that you should not be too closely in contact with classmates. Lice do not fly through the air, but it is worth while leaning against other people's hair for a while - and the possibility of infection becomes enormous.

A good prophylactic for girls is a headscarf. Since children are less mobile at school than in kindergarten, and spend less time there, it’s quite realistic not to take it off the entire school day. If girls isolate the scalp in this way, the epidemic will end much faster.

Preventing the spread of head lice in school can also help with daily wet cleaning in classrooms and hallways.

In kindergarten

It is easier for schoolchildren to explain why it is impossible to change combs and hats with anyone, for kindergarteners - more difficult. Kids constantly contact with each other, play, sit in the sandbox, take other people's things and give up theirs.

After each wash, you need to iron things with steam: it will kill the lice and nits who accidentally get there.

As a preventive measure is recommended:

Store personal items in separate lockers (so that each child has his own).
To exclude games on a carpet with pile. In it can accidentally get there nits. Alternatively, you can replace the carpets with lint-free carpets or remove them for the time of the proposed epidemic. During the epidemic of pediculosis, nap covers must be cleaned, and the floors are washed every day.
Each time before bedtime, place a clean towel on the pillow. Wash it daily. On a pillow in the group every day you need to put a clean towel.
Observe the sanitary standards prescribed by law for kindergarten (daily wet cleaning, etc.). Wet cleaning required
Every day, view and shake out the pillows. If there is a steamer for clothes, then it will be good to process each of them with steam from two sides. Pillows need to be steamed hot daily.

Parents can not monitor compliance with preventive measures in kindergarten, and even more so to take part in their implementation. Therefore, caregivers and nannies need to be especially serious about this issue.

In the hospital

In addition to daily wet cleaning with the addition of chlorine-containing agents, in the medical institutions, in order to prevent the spread of pediculosis, there is a regular change of linen. The one that has already been used is boiled and ironed. Previously it is placed in a special disinfection chamber. This device is designed to eliminate the infection, and along with insects.The linen placed in it is subjected to automatic treatment with hot steam. This process is carried out not only in children's hospitals, but also in adults.

Similar units can be found also in some sanatoria, baths and laundries.

Folk prophylactic agents

Special treatment with chemist's or folk remedies will help scare away lice. Both are effective, but you need to know their principle of action and the characteristics of the use of a drug. And it should be remembered that, first of all, the prevention of the disease must be safe, especially for children.

Before you use the selected remedy for the prevention of pediculosis, you should make sure that it does not cause allergies in the child: put a drop of the drug on the inside of the elbow. If no reaction is observed during the day, then the medicine can be safely applied. It is important to consider the dosage: everything is good in moderation.

Chemerichna and lavender water

Chemerichna water has a scaring effect, but it can be used only for adults. She in several places moistened skin on the head, neck and behind the ears. It absorbs quickly and has a characteristic odor that the parasites do not like. It is necessary to use this tool immediately before going to crowded places. A similar effect will have a tincture of lavender. Lavender is safe for children, but the hellebore water and the more tincture on the hellebore is very poisonous and can cause serious poisoning, so for children it can not be used as a prophylactic.

It is not recommended to use for the prevention and treatment of lice toxic drugs that are absolutely for other purposes (gasoline, kerosene, dichlorvos, etc.)

Tar soap

A pronounced antiparasitic effect has tar soap or shampoo with birch tar extract. These tools have a pungent odor that will help eliminate infection. Tar soap also scares ticks and mosquitoes. You can wash with it regularly even to children. The only problem is that it dries the hair, so you have to use a balm.

To prevent infection with pediculosis, washed and dried things should be ironed well with steam.

Essential oils

A powerful deterrent effect has some essential oils: anise, clove, lemon, eucalyptus, peppermint, ylang-ylang, rosemary. A few drops are added to the shampoo, conditioner or rinse water. It's okay if they do not dissolve, because their fragrances are frightening - insects just bypass them. Lavender oil and tea tree oil are used most often. It is allowed to use esters diluted according to instructions and for the prevention of pediculosis in children. The main thing that the smell was not too sharp.

A strong odor is the main enemy of lice, so as a preventive measure for pediculosis, you can apply a few drops of essential oil, such as lavender

It is not recommended to prevent lice and nits with vinegar, and especially essence. It can cause burns to the skin and mucous membranes even in adults.

Juices and decoctions

There are other folk remedies that will help protect children and adults from the disease pediculosis. For example, cranberry and lemon juice. Both of them can be diluted in half with water and applied according to the same principle as the chemerict tincture: applied to the scalp, neck and behind the ears before going out.

Good deters lice decoction of hypericum. To prepare it for a glass of water you need to take 2 tablespoons of chopped herbs (you can dry), bring to a boil, then remove from heat and let stand for two hours. Apply similar to cranberry and lemon juice.

These tools are well suited for children.

Pharmaceutical preparations for the prevention of pediculosis

For the prevention of pediculosis pharmacies offer products in various forms of release.

Special sprays will help to prevent pediculosis and treat its initial stage. Their advantage is ease of use. It is important to carefully read the instructions for the drug and use it properly, as some products contain hazardous substances. The most popular anti-parasitic sprays are:

Avalanche. A mild preventive spray suitable for treating delicate baby scalp. The composition of the drug contains only natural ingredients: ylang-ylang oil, cloves, lavender, lemon. The tool comes with a special metal comb and cap. Spray applied to the scalp should be kept under the cap for 30 minutes. After this time, the hair should be washed well and combed with a comb to ensure that there are no lice and nits.
LiceGuard is the safest repellent spray that is suitable for daily use. Does not contain harmful components. The tool does not need to be washed off, it is valid for 24 hours.

There are shampoos specifically designed for lice and nits that are suitable even for the youngest children and can be used as a prophylactic agent. These include:

The principle of their use is similar: they soap their heads, wrap them in plastic and a towel, and then they endure the period provided for by the instruction (from 20 minutes to 1 hour).

For prophylaxis, it is sufficient to apply sprays and shampoos no more than twice a month.

The easiest and most effective way to prevent pediculosis is regular examination of the scalp that will allow you to start treatment without delay.

Relapse prevention

Sometimes it seems to us that pediculosis is already cured, and we stop using pediculicides. And after some time, lice appear again. This means that the hair left nits, which then, turning into adult individuals, continued to multiply. Therefore, even if it seems that the disease is over, you should not abruptly interrupt the treatment. At least 1-2 months it is necessary to carry out prevention: use natural remedies for lice, for example, those mentioned above: LiceGuard and Lavinal.

Video: How to detect head lice and prevent the development of pediculosis

Any prevention is effective in the complex, so that measures to protect against lice include the use of traditional means of scaring, pharmaceutical preparations - shampoos and sprays, as well as the observance of precautionary measures that exclude the possibility of infection, including limiting contact with people suffering from pediculosis. And, of course, if any drug is used, then before using it is necessary to read the instructions.

How pediculosis is transmitted (how can lice get infected)

Infection of people head and body lice can occur in close contact with a person suffering from pediculosis - in a crowded vehicle, in crowded places, in swimming pools, as well as when using common objects - comb, headwear, clothing, bedding, etc. Head lice is more common in the warm season, pubic - in the cold.

Scalp pediculosis is more common in children and adolescents, who are in easy contact with each other and attend kindergartens, rest camps, and occasionally pediculosis occurs as an intraschool epidemic. Head lice is most common in girls and women with long hair.

With pubic lice head lice crawl from person to person through intimate contact, less often lice can get onto a person when wearing someone else’s clothes, visiting public baths, using someone else’s towels, in cheap hotels through bed linen.

A big mistake is the opinion that head lice is the result of uncleanliness only. Studies conducted in recent years in Europe have shown that louse likes clean hair, when the skin on the head is clean, it is easier for lice to suck blood.The louse is not afraid of water, it floats perfectly, maintaining its viability for 2 days, and runs fast (movement speed is 20-30 cm per minute), but, fortunately, it does not jump and does not fly, otherwise lashing would be universal.

Since lingerie and pubic lice are currently much less common than head lice, in the future we will talk about it.

Head lice and nits and their incubation period

The cause of head lice is a head louse. The head louse lives and breeds on the scalp, mainly on the temples, behind the ears, on the back of the head and crown, where it lays its eggs.

In their development, lice go through three stages: egg (nit), larva (nymph) and mature louse (imago).

Nit - This egg is a pale yellow color, has an elongated oval shape with a length of up to 1 mm. Nits are usually glued to one hair due to a substance that the female releases near the scalp itself. This substance is so firmly attached to the nits of the hair that even after the release of the larva, the empty shell continues to remain on the hair for a long time.

The maturation of the eggs depends on the warmth of the human body, so the louse attaches nits on the hair no higher than 3-4 mm above the skin surface. Fetal development of a short - up to 9 days. The nits cannot develop at temperatures below 22 ° C, but in the external environment on clothes and objects, the nits remain viable for a year. When the larva came out of the shell nits - this is a nymph.

The larva (nymph) differs from an adult louse in size, lack of external genital organs, body proportions, color. Nymphs, due to their low activity, almost never move from one person to another. The development time of nymphs is 11-13 days, after which the louse looks like an adult and the ability to fertilize appears.

Mature louse (imago). After about 20-22 days, a mature louse comes out of the nits. Females reach 4 mm, and males 2 mm. A single mating of the male and the female provides laying of the egg by the female for 10-15 days. Laying eggs occurs every day up to 4 nits. Egg-laying with additional pairing lasts for the whole life and stops a day before the death of the female. The average life span of a female is 28-35 days. One louse in its entire life can lay up to 140 eggs. This means that just a few nits in the hair will be enough to create a new lice population on the head after 4-6 weeks.

The incubation period from the moment of infection to the onset of symptoms of pediculosis can last up to 30 days or more.

Pediculosis: home treatment

For the treatment of pediculosis, two methods are used - mechanical and chemical. Mechanical way It is advisable to use with a slight lesion of head lice. This method consists of the following measures: cutting long hair, combing lice and nits with a frequent comb.

Frequent combing of wet hair with a special comb is a good alternative to the treatment of pediculosis without the use of chemicals in children under 2 years of age, pregnant and lactating women, as well as in people with various diseases of the scalp or allergies.

The result depends on the thoroughness of removing all nits and lice. The procedure of combing will have to be repeated for two to three weeks, that is, during the time when the nits turn into lice.

Pediculosis Treatments

The main method of dealing with lice remains, as before, chemical method, based on the use of special means - pediculicides, designed to kill lice.

Pediculicides (lice products) currently used in Russia. presented in the form of lotions, sprays, emulsions, shampoos:

Pedikulen Ultra (conditioner spray, lotion, spray, shampoo),
Paranit, Paranit sensitive (lotion, spray complete with comb, shampoo),
Medyfox (5% concentrate, gel),
Here (spray),
Parasidosis (shampoo),
Pair plus (spray can),
Nix (1% cream with comb),
Hygia (shampoo),
A-Par (spray can),
Chemerichnaya water (solution for external use),

Conducting treatment, it is necessary to pay close attention to the pattern of use of each drug, which is detailed in the instructions attached to it. The consumption rate of drugs depends on the thickness and length of the hair, the degree of infection.

Doustovo soap for lice

Dustov soap is an insecticide, that is, a drug for the destruction of harmful insects, including lice. Dustov soap is considered a popular folk remedy for lice. However, due to the toxicity of DDT for humans, it is not recommended to use it for the treatment of pediculosis. Today, there are more modern insecticidal agents that are highly effective and less toxic to humans.

Can I go to school or kindergarten with pediculosis?

When identifying children affected by head lice, they are sent for rehabilitation. with suspension from attending preschool educational organization. Admission of children to pre-school educational organizations after rehabilitation is allowed in the presence of a medical certificate of the absence of pediculosis.

When detecting pediculosis students at the time of treatment, they are suspended from visiting the organization. They can be admitted to general education organizations only after the completion of a complex of medical and preventive measures. with confirmation from doctor.

For persons who have been in contact with a patient with head lice, medical monitoring is established for a period of 1 month with examinations 1 time in 10 days.

(Resolution of the Main state sanitary doctor of the Russian Federation of 08.22.2014 N 50)