What exactly causes head lice?

kaylofgorons

Um, lice. They're tiny parasites that just like to eat the human scalp. They are spread by direct contact, and don't care if you are clean or grimy. Some sources say they actually like cleaner hair better. You can get rid of them by using shampoo meant to kill them and special combs to remove the nits. Strangely enough, lice are the origin of our favorite term "nit-picking"... [Apr 25 05 3:39 PM] kaylofgorons writes: Treatments includ Lindane, natural pyrethrum, and Permathrin. You have to nearly everything you own as well. I also have noted that they suck blood, not eat scalp, so replace that in my first answer. Apr 24 05, 9:10 PM

peasypod

Pediculosis Capitus is very contagious. By using an infected persons' combs, brushes etc or very close physical contact are ways of contracting the animals. They are transmitted from one person to another and let me tell you, they like clean environments. Most people are under the assumption that they go for dirty, matted greasy hair but this is untrue. The female louse lays her eggs (usually in the hair behind your ears) which are whitish capsules. They are attached to the hair by a glutinous substance which is also secreted by the louse upon egg laying. This causes tangles in the hair and specialized fine-toothed combs are designed to remove the eggs and animals from the hair. Treatment is available but is always done by the individual as it is a highly contagious disorder it won't be treated in a salon ---it is against Health Regulations to do so. Apr 24 05, 9:16 PM

lanfranco

Actually, peasy, here in the U.S., we now have some specialized salons that will undertake to remove lice from children's hair. This problem has become more and more common as children are being enrolled in day-care centers and nursery schools, and as busy parents find themselves taxed by the hours of special shampooing and fine-combing necessary to get rid of the little pests. Apr 24 05, 9:29 PM

peasypod

That's very interesting to hear. In Australia if a client were to be found to have signs of head lice, they are given an information sheet and regardless of whether the haircut is complete or not, they have to leave the salon and directed to the nearest pharmacy to purchase treatment. The salon is now formally closed for the rest of the day and all clients within the salon are finished up and on their way. The salon must be fully disinfected and sterilized as does the person who was performing the service on the infected client. Any salons found not to abide by these regulations are formally fined and may be forced to cease functioning. This is also re-enforced in all Hairdressing Schools across the country. Apr 24 05, 9:47 PM

mibmob

This was a lice question. Apr 25 05, 1:54 AM

MrsAce

Peas, a similar procedure happens in the US. If the salon is not the type that takes care of the problem, the station who identifies that a client has head lice must shut down their station. They must sanitize their entire area prior to reopening. The whole salon does not shut down. Apr 25 05, 7:49 AM

robboy

Right you are, mib, but now we all know that our salon is capable of scaring the bejeezus out of us by creating a stampede out the door. The following site explains 'What exactly causes head lice'. http://www.chclibrary.org/micromed/00054760.html Apr 25 05, 7:59 AM

Baloo55th

Actually, what causes head lice is other head lice laying eggs.... First aiders should take care when examining heads that aren't bleeding - it's very easy to think you're safe checking out a bump and don't need the gloves on. But what's crawling around on the bump? Apr 25 05, 4:08 PM

gmackematix

I suppose I could say here, without causing offence, that this was a lousy question. It was still a head-scratcher though. If you don't like creepy crawlies I seriously advise you not to click on this close-up of one of the little devils: http://www.utah.edu/unews/news_images_2004/oct/humanus_capitis.jpg Apr 25 05, 6:57 PM