Lice on Adults
According to Medicine Net in 2010, Americans spend around $1 billion a year in lice treatment. Although lice is most common in children, adults also can be afflicted. Lice are small parasites that feed on human blood. There are several types of lice, and all can cause severe symptoms. Lice is usually spread by close contact, so it is important to know who infected you. Physicians can usually examine your body and clothing and know whether you have lice.
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Types of Lice
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There are three unique types of lice: head, body and pubic. All types attach to hair on your body. Lice feed on human blood, and females lay eggs that attach to the hair on the head, body or pubic areas. All types of lice are commonly spread by close contact of someone who is infected. However, body lice can occur if you have poor hygiene, and pubic lice can be spread by sexual contact.
Your Risk Factors
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Because children are the most common lice carriers, people who have children in the household are more likely to get lice according to MayoClinic.com. Elementary children, ages 5 to 11, are more likely to get lice and transfer it to adults in the household. If you share items such as towels, brushes, hats, helmets, scarfs and clothing with other household members, you are more likely to get lice. It is best to avoid sharing personal items with household members so that you can reduce your risk of getting lice.
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Signs and Symptoms
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Any type of lice is usually accompanied by severe itching. With head lice, you can feel a tickling when you have lice that has hatched because these parasites are moving throughout your hair. Because of the itching, your head can develop sores from you scratching. If you have body lice, you will have red bumps on the skin that accompany the itching. Depending on how long you have lice, your body and pubic areas can become discolored as the parasites feed off your blood in these areas.
Treatment
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There are several over-the-counter creams and shampoos such as LiceMD, Licenex and Nix that can treat hair and body lice. To prevent lice from reoccurring, wash your clothes in hot water of at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Also vacuum the house thoroughly, especially common areas such as the living room and bathroom. Spray the house with products made to kill lice.
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References
- Photo Credit brushing hair image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
