Treatment and prevention of pediculosis in children
Pediculosis is a disease that is directly related to the appearance on the scalp of a child of small insects - lice that feed on blood. Since lice belong to parasites, pediculosis is also classified as a parasitic skin disease. Treatment of pediculosis, as well as its prevention, are most likely the responsibilities of parents, since this disease does not require hospitalization.
Causes of infection with pediculosis
Until recently, it was believed that lice could only be on the head of a child from a dysfunctional family, and some mothers sincerely wonder where these parasites suddenly appeared in their clean and tidy baby. In fact, the causes of pediculosis are banal - close contact with an already infected child and use of common household items (towel, hat, comb, etc.). During close contact, lice simply crawl from one head to another and begin to lead an active life already on a "fresh" child. Such close contact is possible in large groups of children (kindergarten, sanatorium, school), as well as on playgrounds, on visits and at children's holidays.
Symptoms of pediculosis
The first and probably the most famous sign of pediculosis is severe itching of the head. The child constantly scratches the back of his head and temples, his sleep is disturbed, his mood deteriorates, the child becomes irritable and tearful.
Inspection for pediculosis in kindergarten and school is carried out regularly, no less than once a week, but parents themselves should periodically carry out the same procedure. It's easy to do: the child is placed on a chair under a bright light and begins to part the hair with a comb. Head lice, despite popular belief, cannot jump/fly - they only crawl and lay eggs (larvae), which will soon hatch into new insects. Such eggs are attached to the hair, look like dandruff, are very difficult to remove and are called nits.
After detecting lice, the child should be isolated from the public, and the children's institution should be informed about the situation so that medical workers can take measures to rehabilitate him.
More detailed information about what symptoms indicate pediculosis and how to remove lice and nits from a child can be found on our website https://dobrobut.com/.
How to treat pediculosis in a child
Parents should remember that after detecting lice, treatment should be started as soon as possible. The modern pharmaceutical industry offers a fairly wide range of anti-pediculosis products, so the question "how to treat pediculosis in children" does not cause any difficulties.
The most popular anti-pediculosis drugs:
- Pedilin - is produced on the basis of the chemical compound malathion;
- Itax shampoo - produced on the basis of fenotrin;
- Medifox gel/Hygia shampoo - made on the basis of permethrin;
- Foxylon lotion - its basis is benzyl benzoate.
All remedies for pediculosis are available without a prescription, so most often, children do not consult a doctor about pediculosis.
In order for the treatment of the disease under consideration to be successful, it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions that are included in the package with any anti-pediculosis agent. As a rule, any drug is applied to the child's hair twice with a break in a week - this is necessary to destroy not only adult lice, but also nits. After applying the drug and rinsing the head, it is necessary to comb the hair with a thick comb - this will help to remove dead insects from the head.
Folk medicine also knows how to get rid of lice in a child, but doctors categorically do not recommend experimenting. The fact is that some modern anti-pediculosis agents are not able to destroy these parasites, because there is insensitivity of lice to a specific substance. And folk remedies and emergency measures will be in vain, but they can lead to a complication of the situation.
Please note: no anti-pediculosis product prevents re-infestation with lice, so parents should follow preventive measures.
Preventive measures
The prevention of pediculosis in children consists in observing the rules of personal hygiene, and this depends 100% on the parents.
What is needed:
- Teach the child hygienic rules, explain what personal items are, and do not allow him to give his comb, towel or hat to other children.
- Regularly inspect the child's head to detect pediculosis in time. It is especially important to carry out such an examination if pediculosis was detected in the team where the child is.
- Girls should wear neat and tidy hairstyles - lice feel very comfortable in tangled hair, and it will not be possible to detect them quickly.
Pediculosis is an unpleasant, but absolutely not dangerous disease. It is impossible to take any measures that would 100% protect a child from lice infection. But getting rid of these insects has now become much easier.
Related services:
Pediatrician consultation
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