Knowra Head lice infestation Head lice infestation Head lice infestation is the presence of living head lice on the scalp and hair. The lice feed on blood, while their eggs, called nits, attach to hair shafts.
Pediculus humanus capitis : A wingless human louse that lives on the scalp and feeds on blood. This species causes the infestation and spends its life close to the scalp.
Head lice diagnosis : The identification of active head-louse infestation through examination of the scalp and hair. Finding a live louse is the clearest evidence of current infestation.
Dandruff : A common scalp condition involving flakes of dead skin, often with itching. Dandruff flakes detach easily, unlike eggs cemented to hair shafts.
Pruritus : The medical term for itching, an unpleasant sensation that prompts scratching. Saliva from feeding lice can trigger scalp itching, though itching may be absent early.
Head louse life cycle : The progression of head lice through egg, nymph, and adult stages. Eggs hatch and immature lice mature on the scalp, sustaining infestation.
Wet combing : A method of detecting or removing head lice by systematically combing wet, conditioned hair with a fine-toothed comb. Repeated combing can reveal live lice and remove them from hair.
Seborrheic dermatitis : An inflammatory skin condition that causes greasy or flaky scales, often on the scalp. Its scalp scaling can be mistaken for nits or irritation from lice.
Excoriation : A superficial skin injury caused by scratching or rubbing. Persistent scratching can break the scalp skin and invite secondary infection.
Nit : A head-louse egg attached to a hair shaft, usually near the scalp. Nits are the visible eggs that remain attached as hair grows.
Permethrin : A synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used in some topical treatments for head lice. It is a common treatment, though local lice resistance can reduce its effectiveness.
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