Head Lice & Scabies

What is head lice?

Head lice are tiny parasites that live on the body or in clothing and are common in school children. These parasites bite through the skin on the scalp to obtain nourishment in the form of blood.

What is scabies?

Scabies is a condition caused by an infestation of the skin by the human itch mite. Microscopic scabies mites burrow into the upper layer of the skin to live and lay eggs. Scabies mites are usually spread by direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person who has scabies, but may also be spread by sharing towels, bed sheets, and other personal belongings. An infected person can spread scabies even if he or she has no symptoms. Humans are the source of infestation; animals do not spread human scabies. Scabies can affect people of all ages and from all income and social levels.

What are the symptoms of head lice and scabies?

Frequent signs and symptoms of head lice and scabies including itching, redness and soreness, though it may take 2 to 3 weeks or longer after being infected before itching symptoms start. Itching is typically more common at night.

Additional symptoms of head lice also include visible eggs or nits on hair shafts, and the scalp may be red and sore.

Additional symptoms of scabies include a pimple-like itchy rash. Itching and rash may affect a majority of the body or be limited to common sites including between the fingers, wrist, elbow, armpit, penis, nipple, waist, buttocks, and shoulder blades.

What is the treatment for head lice and scabies?

Visit Healthcare Clinic at select Walgreens for an easy diagnosis of head lice or scabies.

Head lice can often be treated with over the counter anti-lice products. Follow label instructions for use and follow-up care. For manual removal, use a special nit comb.

Scabies can be treated with prescription scabicides, which kill scabies mites and mite eggs.* If you have scabies, you and anyone you have close contact with must all be treated at the same time. This keeps the mites from being passed back and forth from person to person.

Be sure to vacuum floors, furniture, car seats, or other items that may have been contaminated by lice or scabies mites. Machine wash clothing and bedding in hot water. Dry in the dryer's hot-air cycle.

To help prevent contracting head lice and scabies, bathe and shampoo hair often. Do not share combs, brushes, hats, towels, bed sheets, or other personal belongings with others and wash combs and brushes carefully.

This treatment is available at Healthcare Clinic locations for patients 18 months and older.