Concept
Pediculosis in children - it is a parasitic skin disease, the causative agent of which is a louse. Signs of lice in a child: the manifestation of the disease is associated with the appearance of severe itching at the sites of lice bites, since these insects feed on blood, and lay their eggs - nits in the child on the hairs.
The most infected group is considered age from 15 to 24 years... This is followed by children under the age of 14.
Prophylaxis
Preventive measures include teaching children personal hygiene. It is necessary to explain to them that it is impossible to let other people use their combs and hats, and also not to take strangers. Conduct regular head examinations to see head lice at the earliest stage when it appears. During periods of epidemics, conduct examinations after each visit to kindergarten or school. Wash clothes and bedding regularly in hot water.
Causes of occurrence
Exists several reasons for the occurrence a similar disease:
- Close head contact.
- Use of other people's hats and personal items.
- Stay in children's camps.
- Public transport and trains.
Lice are unable to fly or jump, but they can move very quickly through the hair. (Read on our website about the types of lice, how they reproduce, and also about the incubation period). Children really like to hug each other, play, while touching their heads. In particular, this happens in kindergarten and elementary grades.
It is impossible to help prevent such contacts, since no parents want to put any restrictions on their child's play. It is enough just to observe whether the child begins to constantly scratch his head, and you should also periodically examine the hair.
In no case should you wear someone else's clothes. Also, parents should provide their child with a personal comb.
Mothers of daughters have to watch so they use their hairpins and elastic bands, and did not take them from friends. If a child goes to the sports section, then he should have his own set of all the necessary things.
In such places, the risk of head lice disease is quite high due to the huge crowd of people and a huge number of close contacts. If parents do not have a constant opportunity to control their child, then it is necessary to conduct an examination upon his return.
Finding yourself on public transport. Especially during rush hours, the child reluctantly comes into close contact with other people. If it is not possible to move aside, you should collect your loose hair, and also be in a headdress. On trains, the bedding set should be carefully inspected before using it.
Prevention measures
Worth noticingthat the prevention of ailment in childhood presents some difficulties. After all, its result depends directly on the child himself, his behavior, adherence to the principles of hygiene.
For the prevention of pathology, do not be lazy to examine your child several times a week.
But the possible risks can be minimized by the following measures:
- Teach the kid to use only their own accessories, and not to give them to anyone.
- Do not make contact with vagrants of the same age.
- Do not walk or stay in potentially dangerous areas.
- Do not allow the child to play with the infected.
Do not be lazy to examine your child several times a week. If you find at least one individual, be sure to visit a doctor. You should not choose the means to combat head lice yourself, because the baby may have an allergic reaction to the drug.
Symptoms of manifestation
So, the symptoms of head lice in children are as follows: with head lice, intense skin itching appears, because of which the child begins to itch constantly. Also, signs of head lice in a child can be attributed if, when examining the skin, damaged skin areas with yellow crusts that have arisen in the area of bites are observed.
Lice live on the head, suck blood and are carriers of dangerous infectious diseases, therefore, you should not hesitate with the treatment of pediculosis in a child.
How to exterminate parasites: step by step
The selected tool is needed apply to the scalp in the appropriate dosage. Then the product must be washed off, the hair must be carefully divided into strands with a comb. If you do not use brushing, then you will need to try again.
Treatment of the child's head with poisonous substances should be avoided. The same applies to head lice in pregnant women. The part of the individuals that remains is removed by combing out with a comb.
Photo
Symptoms of lice in the hair of children: see the photo below.
Treatment methods
Before starting treatment for pediculosis a thorough examination should be carried out everyone living in the house, since it may be necessary to treat not only the child. In addition, bed linen should be changed in all rooms.
Personal items (combs, hairpins, rubber bands) must be treated in a bleach solution. Hats should also be disinfected with insect repellents.
In addition, rid the child of lice the application of the following methods will help:
- Chemical treatment.
- Combing out.
- Using folk remedies:
It consists in applying special anti-lice shampoos, lotions, ointments and sprays for lice and nits on children's hair, for example: Nyuda, Pedikulen ultra, Paranit, Para plus, Benzyl benzoate and Sulfur ointment. The main thing is that the selected products are of high quality and suitable for the child.
Quite an effective method of dealing with lice, which can bring the desired results if the procedure is carried out at least 4 times a day.
- kerosene.
- lemon acid.
- wild rosemary.
Apply a little kerosene to baby hair, carefully wrap the head and leave for 2 hours. After that, wash off all the kerosene and comb through the hair with a comb. This remedy can be used for children over 12 years old;
It is necessary to take 10 g of medicinal comfrey, 5 g of citric acid and pour 250 ml of boiling water. The cooled infusion should be applied to the hair for a week;
Mix 2 tbsp. l. Ledum with 2 tbsp. cheremitsa. Add 30 g of preheated pork fat to the mixture and let it brew for half a day. After that, the mixture must be filtered and lubricated the affected areas 2 times a day.
At the end any procedure should carry out mechanical cleaning children's hair - using a special comb with frequent teeth, comb through all the hair, remove all dead nits and their larvae, then process the comb. These measures are needed to prevent re-emergence of insects.
Of course, it is impossible to completely protect children from infection with this nuisance, but when basic preventive measures are taken, the likelihood of pediculosis is significantly reduced.
On our site you will find a lot of useful articles about pediatric lice:
- what do lice look like on a child's head: a photo with a detailed description;
- reasons for the appearance of lice in children: why do they start on the head of a child?
- algorithm of necessary actions when lice are detected in a child;
- how and how to remove lice and nits in a child with long hair?
- the specificity of removing lice from long hair in girls at home.
Pediculosis in children: problems and concerns of parents
Kerosene, dusty soap, hellebore water, a fine comb or a razor: the older generation will certainly associate these words with lice.
Pediatricians refer to head lice infestations as "head lice." Although this is quite an ordinary parasitic disease caused by small insects that live on the scalp and suck blood, it is this that causes a whole storm of negative emotions in parents - from anger and irritation to burning shame. In addition, most ridiculous and funny myths are associated with this disease.
Lice: from time immemorial
Lice has accompanied people since the beginning of time. These parasitic insects have perfectly adapted to live in the hair or on the body of people.
Many sacred ancestral rituals are really nothing more than a way to get rid of lice and prevent their recurrence.
So, the ancient Egyptian priests and kings, the pharaohs of Babylon and Assyria had their heads shaved baldly so that "not a single louse would cling to the servants of the gods."
Then lice was an indispensable companion of various wars, the life of nomadic peoples and tribes who had serious problems with hot water, soap and basic hygiene. Prisons, hard labor, overcrowding and unsanitary conditions are favorable conditions for the development of lice. When people live in cramped conditions and do not have the opportunity to wash themselves, wet themselves and put their hair in order, the appearance of various parasites is not surprising.
