Common Signs and Symptoms of Lice

Head lice are a huge issue today, especially in elementary schools and summer camps. In America, roughly 20 million people between the ages of 2 and 17 catch head lice every year. Lice are just a few millimeters long, making them difficult to spot, and not everyone experiences the same symptoms. Most people are alerted to their lice by the intense itching that is caused by a reaction to the saliva of the lice, but not everybody starts itching immediately. To prevent a case of lice before the problem can worsen, it is best to educate yourself on all of the signs of lice.  

Dandruff

Lice are tiny, typically between 1 and 3 millimeters long, and appear gray or off-white. With that in mind, it’s not hard to see how they could be mistaken for dry skin and dandruff. As the case of head lice progresses, the lice can fall out of your hair and onto the surfaces around you. If you have been noticing more dandruff than normal, you may want to ensure that it’s not lice. Real dandruff is flaky and easy to remove, but nits and lice will hold on tight.

Irritated Skin

Perhaps the most common and well-known lice symptoms are scalp irritation and itchiness. Just the thought of head lice can be enough to have some scratching their heads, but the itch caused by lice is an insatiable, intense itch that does not go away when you scratch. Scratching can make it much worse. Scratching can cause micro-tears that allow the lice saliva to make its way into the bloodstream. If left unchecked, this could cause rashes and bacterial infections with potentially serious repercussions. The best places to check for lice-caused irritation are behind the ears, around the crown of the head, and the nape of your neck.

A Tickling Sensation

Even though lice are almost too small to see, that doesn’t mean you cannot feel them. If you pay close attention, it is possible to feel them crawling around on your scalp. Even if you do not pay it much mind at first, this sensation can make it hard to fall asleep and keep you on edge. If you’ve been having trouble relaxing or falling to sleep, there is a chance that it could be due to lice.

Lice Removal You Can Count On

If you are noticing signs of lice, you must do a self-check to prevent spreading the issue to others. If you do find yourself facing a case of head lice, don’t worry! Lice Clinics in Charlotte offers a same-day lice treatment. The AirTral is the latest in lice removal technology, and it removes all the lice in one go so you can get back to your life as soon as possible. If you have more questions or want to learn more about our lice removal services, click here!