
Head Lice
Lice are ecto-parasites, parasites that live on the outside of the body of the victimized host. There are three types of lice that can be found on the human body, head lice, body lice and pubic lice. Head lice are the most common. Lice cause itching, irritation and annoyance. They also transmit many serious diseases such as typhus and trench fever. Human head lice are very small, usually about 1/8-inch, whitish color with dark markings on its side. There are three stages to a louse’s life cycle, the nit, the nymph and the adult. Nits are lice eggs. The female head lice can lay anywhere between 80 to 140 eggs in its lifetime.
Head Louse (Pediculus humanus capitis)
How do I know if I have head lice?
The most common symptom of head lice is irritation and scratching of the scalp, behind the ears and around the neck. It can happen that the victim would not feel symptomatically “Itchy.” Combing can be a useful tool in looking for lice because they are hard to spot. Nits (louse eggs) are most easily seen through the use of a black light and an infestation of lice can look similar to dandruff. Unlike dandruff, the nits stick to the hair even after shampooing. Irritation and the “itchy” feeling are the most common effects of the lice. Severe itching and constant scratching can lead to lack of sleep. More serious effects from intense scratching include eczema-like skin eruptions.How do you acquire head lice?
There are many ways that you can obtain head lice. The most common ways that head lice are passed is through shared sleeping arrangements or by sharing accessories such as: combs, hats, pullovers. Lice can be found on bedding and upholstered furniture and transfer to the next person who lays on that furniture.What is the treatment for head lice?
First, to prevent head lice, do not share items that go on the head or hair grooming objects, notably combs. Do not come in contact with any furniture or clothing that a person who may have lice has potentially used. Louse or nit combs help remove the infestation but will not be effective unless used in conjunction with other forms of treatment. See your physician before beginning treatment. Half measures may make matters worse. In addition to manual removal of lice and after clear and positive identification, lice are also treated with a variety of insecticides. But this is to only be done after there is a positive identification of the parasite. They can be treated with shampoos labeled for use on people. Other shampoos are available by prescription that contains stronger concentrations. Often one must perform a second treatment about ten days after the initial treatment because most products are not ovicidal (they do not kill the eggs). If there is an infestation, make sure to wash multiple times, all items that have been in contact with the infested person.Locations
City Services for Pest Control in Los Angeles
Agoura Hills | Northridge | |
Alhambra | Pacific Palisades | |
Arcadia | Palos Verdes Estates | |
Beverly Hills | Pasadena | |
Burbank | Pomona | |
Calabasas | Rancho Palos Verdes | |
Cerritos | Redondo Beach | |
City of Industry | Reseda | |
City of Los Angeles | Rolling Hills Estates | |
Claremont | San Marino | |
Culver City | Santa Fe Springs | |
Cypress | Santa Monica | |
Diamond Bar | Sherman Oaks | |
El Monte | Sylmar | |
El Segundo | Tarzana | |
Encino | Temple City | |
Glendale | Toluca Lake | |
Granada Hills | Torrance | |
Hacienda Heights | Venice | |
Hidden Hills | Walnut | |
Hollywood | West Covina | |
La Verne | West Hollywood | |
Long Beach | West Los Angeles | |
Malibu | Westlake Village | |
Manhattan Beach | Whittier | |
Marina Del Rey | Woodland Hills | |
North Hollywood | ||
City Services for Pest Control in San Diego
4S Ranch | Rancho Penasquitos | |
Poway | Scripps Ranch | |
Rancho Bernardo | ||
Descanso | Ramona | |
Julian | Santa Ysabel | |
Pine Valley | ||
Bonsall | Hidden Meadows | |
Escondido | Pauma Valley | |
Fallbrook | Valley Center | |
Carlsbad | Pacific Beach | |
Coronado | Point Loma | |
La Costa | San Ysidro | |
Mira Mesa | The City of San Diego | |
Otay Mesa | ||
Cardiff by the Sea | Oceanside | |
Carmel Valley | Rancho Santa Fe | |
Del Mar | San Marcos | |
Encinitas | Solana Beach | |
La Jolla | Vista | |
Alpine | Imperial Beach | |
Bonita | Jamul | |
Chula Vista | La Mesa | |
East Lake Chula Vista | Lakeside | |
El Cajon | Santee | |
City Services for Pest Control in Riverside
Canyon Lake | Norco | |
Chino Hills | Perris | |
Corona | Sun City | |
Eastvale | Temecula | |
Lake Elsinore | The City of Riverside | |
Menifee | Wildomar | |
Moreno Valley | Winchester | |
Murrieta | ||