Head lice,

are crawling insects about 3mm in size that feed on blood.

They have been native to Europe since time immemorial. If you want to see something positive about this insect, even if we start to itch at the mere mention of it, they can NOT transmit diseases.

However, they spread very easily, which is not a matter of personal hygiene.

Supposedly, they even prefer freshly washed hair.

The nimble crawlers are transmitted through direct contact. For example, when "putting heads together", cuddling, smooching, etc.

The transmission route from an object is rather rare, because the louse dries out quickly without regular blood meals. By itself it would never leave the head.

How can you tell if you have head lice?

It is important to regularly check all heads in the family when you learn of an infestation in the immediate vicinity. For example, at the daycare center.

Often the itching occurs much later, because not everyone reacts to the saliva of the louse with itching.

For examination, they can apply a commercial conditioner to wet hair (do not rinse) and comb it out strand by strand with a lice comb. The conditioner should make it easier to comb through with the fine comb.

In between, wipe the comb on a kitchen towel, so you can best see if there is an infestation.

If there are still few lice on the head, they can hide well. It is easier to find the eggs. They are drop-shaped about 0.8mm small and stick firmly to the hair. They cannot be shaken out or washed out.

If the lice eggs are brownish-greyish, lice can still hatch from them.

If they are whitish shimmering eggs so they are empty. Empty egg cases may remain on the hair long after a successfully controlled head lice infestation, because they are relatively difficult to remove.

How do you get rid of head lice?

The optimal treatment, according to current opinion, is a combination of the application of an approved lice remedy and careful combing out with hair care conditioner and a lice comb. If they use both methods together, they can expect to get rid of the lice with a very high probability.

With a doctor's prescription or even without a prescription, they can get a lice treatment product at their pharmacy. If the child is younger than 12 years old, the health insurance will cover the cost of the remedy if they have a doctor's prescription.

What else can be done?

If they have found lice, nymphs or developing eggs on the head of a family member, they should carefully examine all family members right away.

Also inform friends and acquaintances, daycare center, school, etc. Only by acting as a group now can you prevent further spread.

Shameful concealment favors the spread of head lice and can lead to a vicious circle of reinfection.

This harms everyone.

What cleaning measures are necessary?

- Thoroughly clean combs and brushes in hot soap solution

- Change towel, body and bed linen and pajamas of the person affected by the head lice infestation.

- Place hats, scarves, blankets, pillows, stuffed animals and other items that have come into contact with the affected person's head hair in a sealed plastic bag for three days. Lice will not survive longer without food.     

- Also think of the child seat in the car.

Source: BZgA Federal Center for Health Education

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)