Common Signs and Symptoms of Lice

Lice are a huge problem, especially in elementary and middle schools. 21 million kids ages two to seventeen get head lice every year, so if you’re dealing with head lice, you are not alone. The symptoms of head lice can appear differently depending on the person. Everyone knows that head lice cause an itchy scalp, but that is not always the most reliable way to determine if you have lice. The itching can take weeks to start, so it’s important to keep the other signs and symptoms of headlice in mind. 

Signs of head lice

Most people react to head lice the same way, with an itchy scalp. What most people don’t know is that this reaction does not always occur. The itching can take up to two weeks to begin, and by then the parasites will have had lots of time to spread to others which is why it’s important that you know how to spot a case of head lice before It’s too late. Here are some other signs of head lice that will help you identify the issue before it can spread to others.

‘Flakies’

Head lice are small, light brown, or yellowish bugs that are only about 1 to 3 millimeters in length, and the eggs they lay, called nits, are off-white. As the lice reproduce, it is likely that some of them will make their way out of your hair and onto the surfaces around you. Given their size and color, it’s pretty easy to see how these bugs can be mistaken for the white flakes we all know and love, dandruff. You can tell the difference by trying to remove them. Dandruff will flake right off, but lice will hold on tightly to the roots of the hair. 

Bumpy rash

Having an itchy scalp is bad enough but itching from lice can lead to a bacterial infection that can cause bumps and rash. The most common places that this rash appears are behind the ears, around the neck, and on the crown of the head. If the infection persists, it can result in a fever, swollen lymph nodes, and will need a course of antibiotics to cure. 

Lack of sleep

Even if the itching hasn’t started, lice can still cause you to miss out on a good night’s rest. If you pay close attention, you can feel the lice moving around on your scalp. This tiny moving sensation can tickle and prevent you from getting a night of restful sleep. 

Lice treatment near me in Green Bay, WI

If you have been noticing these signs of head lice, or if you want to learn more, contact us today. Here at the Lice Clinic of America in Green Bay, we can guarantee a lice-free scalp without the use of harmful chemicals. If you or someone you know needs help with lice removal, then visit our lice clinic in Green Bay.