With the return to school, parents' concern is not only with school supplies and preparing lunch boxes, but with the risk of children catching lice. Infestation occurs more frequently at the beginning of the school year because high temperatures accelerate the development of these insects inside the egg, increasing their incidence.
According to experts, lice are more common in young children because they are in close physical proximity, creating the ideal environment for proliferation.
The main symptom of pediculosis – the scientific name of the disease – is intense itching on the scalp, especially behind the ears and the back of the neck. You need to be careful not to cause wounds when scratching your head.
It is worth mentioning that, as long as there are live lice on the infected person, transmission occurs, as does the presence of nits (the louse eggs). Lice can survive for up to ten days on objects, such as combs and brushes, which is why it is recommended to wash such items in hot water, as well as clothes and sheets.
Because of the ease of transmission, it is very important that the school is informed in case of symptoms characteristic of pediculosis and checks for lice and nits in the hair of family members who have contact with the child, including parents and siblings. The Einstein Agency listened to dermatologists to answer the most common questions on the subject. Check out:
1. Do lice fly from one head to the other?
They don't have wings and therefore can't fly or jump. “They pass from one to another through close contact between one person's head and another or through the sharing of objects”, explains Rita Cortez, dermatologist at the Hair Department of the Brazilian Society of Dermatologists (SBD).
2. Can they be transmitted through the pillow? By the comb?
Yes! Transmission also occurs through the exchange of personal objects. This applies to combs, brushes, pillows, clothes, hats, hair clips and even headphones, among others.
3. Can lice survive outside the host? For how long?
In the environment, lice remain alive for a maximum of 24 hours. “Eggs can survive outside the host for up to ten days, in conditions of high humidity and temperatures above 28 ℃”, says Selma Hélène, pediatric dermatologist at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein.
4. Do adults get lice?
The insect does not differentiate between age, race or socioeconomic status. In other words, everyone can get lice at some point. School-age children, however, are more prone because of closer contact. Girls also have more chances, as they often change brushes, combs and hair accessories.
5. Do people with dye in their hair have a lower risk of getting lice?
There is no difference between people who have ink or not, especially in relation to nits.
6. Those who wash their hair more have less chance of getting contaminated?
No. Lice also like clean hair. However, lack of hygiene can facilitate the spread of the disease.
7. Does applying vinegar to your hair help kill nits?
“Vinegar helps to remove the adhesion of nits to the hair, helping to remove them when using a fine comb”, says Cortez, dermatologist at SBD.
8. Does tying your hair help prevent contamination?
Yes. Stuck-up hair makes it difficult to transmit lice, which is why it's a good idea to send children with their long hair tied up to school.
9. Can pets get infected?
Dogs and cats can have lice, but they are of a different species than the one that infects humans. Therefore, there is no transmission between domestic animals and humans.
10. What is the correct way to treat the infestation?
In addition to using a fine-toothed comb, the ideal is to see a doctor, who will indicate which medications are recommended, including shampoos and oral medications. “It is extremely important that people do not take medication on their own, as these substances are highly absorbed by the scalp, which is richly vascularized, and can cause problems”, warns the Einstein doctor.
Source: CNN Brasil

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