Does Your Child Have An Itchy Scalp

Author: Jennifer King

Do you think your child has head lice? Have you noticed him scratching his head frequently? Or maybe you\'ve heard of an outbreak of head louse at his school? You can probably discover if your son or daughter has head louse by doing an easy evaluation at home.

The easiest way to identify head lice is by noticing their eggs in the hair. Lice eggs are also known as nits. Head lice will lay these eggs on the hair shaft close to the scalp. This is why a head examination depends on scrutinizing the scalp. Before the baby louse hatches, nits look yellow, tan, brown or clear. Once the louse has hatched, the shell will stay gluedStuck to the hair shaft. This is the easiest thing to identify, as it is white in color, looking somewhat like dandruff. The main difference between nits and dandruff is dandruff is easily shaken off of the hair shaft, while nits are stuck to the shaft.

Sometimes you will be able to notice adult head louse in your child\'s hair, particularly if the hair is short. These little beasties are small, the same size as a sesame seed that you get on a hamburger bun, and they tend to have the exact coloring as your child\'s hair. A lot of people understand that their kids are infected the moment they see the adult lice clambering through their child\'s hair.

Head scratching is, without a doubt, another sign of a head lice infestation. But, not all children find head lice to be irritating. Also, scratching their scalp might be an indication of other problems, such as dandruff or eczema. The itching from nits is generally likened to a tickle, or the feeling of something crawling on the scalp.

Children who suffer from sensitive skin, and spend a lot of time scratching due to the head lice will regularly get a rash on the scalp. Head lice rash looks like red lumps at the base of the scalp. It could infrequently develop into a more serious infection that needs antibiotics.

If you suspect your child may have head lice, part his hair and check the base of the hair strands for the nits. Pay particular concern to the areas of hair around the neck and ears. If you have trouble focusing up close, you may want to use a magnifying glass. Be sure to do the lice checking in bright light. If you find nothing, but the itching continues, it is time for a trip to the doctor. On the other hand, if there is persistent scratching, and you\'ve heard of an outbreak at school or day care, you probably can be sure that the reason is head lice.

To treat head lice you can buy a chemical based shampoo that can eliminate the lice. Make sure you follow the application guide to the letter, because incorrect use will not wipe out all of the lice. You will also need to comb through the hair with a fine tooth comb to remove any nits that are not killed by the shampoo.

Once you have treated your child, wash any clothes that are lying around, as lice have the ability to live up to three days out of your child\'s hair if they are on clothing. Also, boil any objects that come in contact with your child\'s head, including combs, brushes and bows. It is particularly important to wash any bedding. Vacuum all floors and furniture. Then watch carefully for signs of re-infestation. If it happens, start the process again. It can be hard work, but it\'s possible to get rid of head lice with the correct steps.

If you want to try a natural cure for head lice visit Home Treatment For Head Lice and keep your children chemical free.