Smart Woman: Head Lice
By: Maxine Ridling
Updated: October 12, 2012
Lice are tiny little brown bugs that live on human scalps. They are nuisances, but are otherwise not harmful to children. They can cause itching, but they don't carry disease.
If your child is scratching his or her head a lot, it's time for a scalp check. First look at the hairline, then near the ears and the nape of the neck. If you find lice or eggs called gnits, which look either white or clear, it's time to get treated.
Over the counter medications are best to try first before going to a prescription strength topical medication. Home remedies, as long as they are safe, and not flammable .
Lice don't fly or jump and they are usually transmitted by head to head contact.
Remember getting lice is not a sign of poor hygiene or a reflection of socio-economic status.
It's a case of bad luck. The child's head was in the wrong place at the wrong time and they happened to get lice from somebody else.







