Head lice commonly affect young children, but we’re all susceptible to infestation. Here are some important thinks to know when trying to avoid and treat head lice.
Head lice are common and have been around for thousands of years. There are several million new cases of head lice in the United States every year. They are not dangerous, they don’t spread disease and they are not an indicator of poor hygiene. A person gets head lice by direct contact with an already infested person.
Head lice are more common in children from ages 3 to 11, but with the growth of technology, it is becoming more common in adolescents and young adults — selfies, for instance, are a source of a lot of head-to-head contact for adolescents that could result in spreading head lice. Once head lice come into a household, the chances of another family member becoming infested are high.
Parents should be mindful when treating head lice with traditional over-the-counter topical products to avoid the formulations that contain pesticides. Lice have developed a resistance to these pesticides. Parents should also be aware there are newer technologies that use heated air to dehydrate and kill lice and their eggs in a single, fast and safe treatment.
