Head lice affecting the scalp (Pediculosis capitis) is a very common problem, especially in school children. Head lice are parasitic wingless insects. They live on people's heads and feed on their blood. An adult is called a louse and is about the size of a sesame seed. The eggs, called nits, are even smaller - almost like a dandruff flake. Lice and nits are easiest to detect at the neckline and behind the ears. Head lice infestations occur worldwide. Head lice are spread easily from person to person by direct contact. People can get head lice by close contact with an already infested person. In children, contact is common during play, while riding the school bus, and during classroom activities in which children sit in groups close to each other. Lice do not jump or fly. Lice are not spread to humans from pets or other animals.

Head lice develop in three forms: nits, nymphs, and adults.Nits: Nits are head lice eggs. They are hard to see and are often mistaken for dandruff or droplets of hairspray. Nits are found firmly attached to the hair shaft. They are oval and usually yellow to white. Nits take about 1 week to hatch.Nymphs: Nits hatch into nymphs. Nymphs are immature adult head lice. Nymphs mature into adults about 7 days after hatching. To live, nymphs must feed on blood. Adults: An adult louse is about the size of a sesame seed, has six legs, and is tan to greyish- white. In persons with dark hair, adult lice will look darker. Adult lice can live up to 30 days on a person's head. To live, adult lice need to feed on blood. If a louse falls off a person, it dies within 2 days. Head lice should be suspected when there is intense itching and scratching of the scalp and the back of the neck or when there is a known infestation in the community.

Head lice derive nutrient by blood-feeding once or more often each day, and cannot survive for more than a day or so at room temperature without ready access to a person's blood. A nymphal louse hatches from its egg after about 8 days of development, and begins to feed, grow and develop until it attains the adult stage about 9-12 days after hatching. A female louse may deposit more than 100 eggs at a rate of about six eggs each day. Only those eggs deposited by inseminated female lice will hatch. Generally, an infested person has fewer than a dozen active lice on the scalp at any time, but may have hundreds of viable, dead and hatched eggs.

Home Remedies and Treatment Tips of Head Louse

1.Avoid from harmful chemicals.

2.Mix fresh lemon and coconut oil(equal amounts).Apply gently on your hair. leave at least 2 to 3 hrs.and wash your head.

3 . In 2 teaspoon of limejuice, add 2 teaspoon of garlic paste and apply it all over your scalp. Keep for 45 minutes and then wash.

4. Using vinegar i.e wash you hair. And also Using fresh parsley juice.

5. Applying a Mixture of 50% kerosene and 50% water to hair as a lotion. Leave at least 6 to 4 hrs.( home remedy for head louse)

6. Keep your head surroundings clean to remove head louse(lice).

7. Wash your hair with warm apple cider vinegar. Then cover your head.

8. Neem, olive oil, tea tree oil etc, which can be used for treating head louse.

10.person does not share anything from clothes, coats, hats, towels, and combs.

11.Regular washing of bed linen and brushes and combs in hot soapy water will kill any remaining lice.