What are the symptoms of head lice?

/Home/Health Conditions/Head Lice - Alternative Remedies/Head Lice - Symptoms

You can have head lice without knowing it, as there are often no symptoms.

This means it can take weeks or even months before you realize that you or someone in your family has head lice.
But you may occasionally notice some of the following symptoms.
Itching
Some people get an itchy scalp when they have head lice. We don't know exactly how many people with head lice get an itchy scalp because there hasn't been much research.

It's the louse's saliva that can cause itching. Head lice inject saliva into your blood as they feed. The saliva contains chemicals that stop your blood from clotting.

Bites
On most scalps, bites from head lice are almost impossible to spot. But if you know what you're looking for, you may be able to see them. They are small and round (about the size of a pinprick) and red from the scab that has formed over the bite. Occasionally, bites can become infected (see below) and the scabs can become crusty and itchy.

Nits
You may notice nits in the hair. These are the shells (also called casings) of the head lice eggs, and they are usually near the scalp, where the eggs are laid for warmth and moisture. Unhatched eggs are colorless and therefore very difficult to spot. But once the baby head lice hatch, the casings that are left behind look white and are easier to see.

As the hair grows, the eggs or their casings move away from the scalp. If you see nits more than a half inch from the scalp, it means either they have hatched already or the eggs are not going to hatch.

Seeing nits is not a sign that you currently have head lice, since they may be empty shells or dead eggs. But they are a sign that you need to check your hair for head lice. You have to find a live head louse on your hair to be sure you have them.

Visible head lice
You might see a head louse crawling through your child's hair or your own hair. If you have not seen head lice before, you will find it difficult to spot one. You're more likely to come across a head louse or its discarded skin when you comb the hair. But unless you know what you're looking for, you might miss these signs. To learn about what head lice look like, see What are head lice?

Infection
Head lice are rarely more than a nuisance. But, occasionally, the bites can become infected. This is more likely to happen if you scratch your head and pull the scabs off bites. If the head lice in your hair are carrying bacteria
Bacteria are tiny organisms. There are lots of different types. Some are harmful and can cause disease. But some bacteria live in your body without causing any harm.

One of the most common infections from head lice is impetigo
Impetigo is a skin rash, usually on the face, that is caused by certain types of common bacteria. The rash typically appears dry and crusty, and has a golden color. It can be cured with antibiotic medications. This is a skin infection that head lice can pick up from one person, carry on their body and transmit to someone else. Impetigo causes crusty and very itchy scabs. Impetigo needs to be treated with antibiotics
These medications are used to help your immune system fight infection. There are a number of different types of antibiotics that work in different ways to get rid of bacteria, parasites and other infectious agents. Antibiotics do not work against viruses.

Impetigo is also easily passed on (highly contagious). If you have crusty or itchy scabs on your scalp, you should see your doctor right away. You should get rid of the head lice at the same time you're taking antibiotics for the infection.

Other symptoms
If head lice go untreated for a long time (say, 12 months to 18 months), they can make you feel generally low and tired. This is because your immune system becomes worn down after this time. Since head lice are usually treated these days, this is now rare.

Some people say that head lice leave a gritty black powder on their pillow. But there is no evidence for this. The head lice do leave tiny bits of blood they've digested, but the amount is very small (unless the infestation is very heavy).

Any waste from the head lice will normally be dissolved in sweat, especially at night. Children sweat more than adults, and this means their pillowcases may become dirty more quickly than usual.