Head lice are small, wingless, blood-sucking insects. They live in the hair on your head and feed off the blood from your scalp. A虱（单个成人）是芝麻籽的大小。达特（Louse鸡蛋）是关于头皮屑的小片的尺寸。
头虱是具有传染性的。You can become infected with head lice when the insects crawl onto your head. Ways you might get head lice include:
- touching your head to the head of someone with head lice
- 分享有头虱的人的个人物品（例如，梳子）
- using a fabric item after a person with head lice
虽然可以通过无生命对象传输虱子，但是发现它非常不可能。其中一些无生命物体可能包括刷子，梳子，管道，头带，耳机和帽子。
It may also be possible for lice to live for a time on upholstered furniture, bedding, towels, or clothing.
Again, it should be stressed that the biggest concern for transmission is close head-to-head contact occurring mainly in children during play. Transmission via objects is a rare exception, according to several sources.
通过无生命对象传播头虱的传输存在一些不同的意见，但科学似乎没有以这种方式支持传输。
学龄前和小学生有最高的虱子风险。他们倾向于在一起进行。
There’s also an increased risk of head lice for family members of school-aged children. People who work in a day care center, preschool, or elementary school share this risk.
您或您的医疗保健提供者可以通过以下方式诊断头虱：
- 检查你的头发，靠近头皮，虱子
- 检查你的头发，靠近头皮，因为nits
- running a fine-toothed lice comb through your hair, starting from the scalp, to catch lice and nits
nits是深色的，孵化虱将是浅色的。
成人虱子迅速移动。如果您在头皮上找到了头虱的任何证据，你很可能会发现nits。
你可以很容易地区分nits and dandruff flakes或头发中的其他碎片。大多数碎片都应轻松消除。尼特似乎是他们粘着你的头发。
头虱是具有传染性的。如果您家中的一个人有他们，其他人也可能。每隔几天检查家庭中的每个人都是一个好主意。
There are several head lice treatments available. Most treatments will need to be used twice. The second treatment, after a week to 9 days, will kill any newly hatched nits.
下面描述了头虱的一些主要处理。
Medications
There are both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription headlice treatments。
Two types of chemicals are commonly used inOTC head lice treatment。
Pyrethrin is a pesticide that’s derived from chrysanthemum flowers. It’s approved for use in people 2 years old and older. Don’t use pyrethrin if you’re allergic to chrysanthemums or ragweed.
Permethrin（nix）是一种合成农药，类似于pyrethrin。它已批准用于2个月大以上的人。
处方虱子处理还可包括其他化学品。
苄醇乳液（Ulesfia）是芳香族醇。它用于治疗6个月龄和老年人的人的头虱。
Malathion (Ovide) is an organophosphate pesticide. It’s used to treat lice in people who are 6 years old or older. It isn’t recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Malathion is flammable. Stay away from open flames and heat sources such as hair dryers when using this product.
林丹是一个organochloride农药。它的效果able in lotion or shampoo forms. Lindane is usually only used as a last resort. It can cause serious side effects, including seizures and death. Lindane shouldn’t be used by premature babies or by people who have a history of seizures.
为了降低副作用的风险：
- 不要使用多种药物。
- Don’t use any medication more often than directed.
Alternative treatment
如果要避免使用杀虫剂，请使用a fine-toothed lice combor a flea comb (sold in pet stores) to remove lice. Apply olive oil to your hair before combing. This will help the lice and nits stick to the comb.
Start combing at the scalp and work through the end of the hair.
您需要每2到3天每一次这样做，直到您没有虱子或虱子的迹象。
对待你的家
没有必要在家里使用杀虫剂。虱子不能脱掉几天的时间。以下方法可用于杀死不同项目的虱子：
- 在热水中洗涤和床上用品 - 130°F（54°C）或更高 - 并在高温下干燥。
- Dry-clean clothes and bedding.
- Soak hair brushes, combs, barrettes, and other hair accessories in hot water — 130°F (54°C) — for 5 to 10 minutes.
- 真空地板和软垫家具。
你可以用适当的治疗摆脱头虱。但是，您可能会重新感染。通过正确清洁您的房屋并主要避免头部与头部虱子的人接触，减少风险，直到他们被治疗。
It may be prudent to not share personal hygiene items with others to reduce your chances of getting head lice, although current evidence doesn’t necessarily support this thought.