Chatbug Karen

School is back in session in most areas. That means that they are more suseptible to getting lice from a school chum. Lice are tiny insects that live on humans and survive by feeding on blood. When a large number of lice live and reproduce on a person, it is called an infestation.

Lice and their eggs must be destroyed to get rid of an infestation. The most common treatment is a topical (applied to the skin or scalp) nonprescription or prescription cream, lotion, or shampoo to kill the lice and eggs. Sometimes a second dose is needed to make sure that all the eggs are dead. When two or more topical treatments don’t work, your doctor may prescribe the pill called ivermectin.

Washing affected clothing and bedding in hot water can also help get rid of lice.

Some people have a lingering allergic reaction to lice bites that causes itching for 7 to 10 days after the lice and eggs have been destroyed. Corticosteroid creams or calamine lotion may be used to relieve the itching. In the case of severe itching, oral antihistamines may be used.

Frequent scratching can cause a skin infection. In the most severe cases of head lice, hair may fall out, and the skin may darken in the areas infested with lice.