If you’ve gotten a note from your child’s school saying they have lice, or if you’ve noticed excessive scratching, you may be wondering what to do next. Where can I treat head lice in Rockville, MD, is likely the first question that pops into your mind.
Then, can your child go back to school and when? Is at-home treatment an option or should you seek professional care?
The good news is that head lice is very common and treatable. All it takes is a quick visit to POP Now for pediatric urgent care.
Do You Really Need to Treat Head Lice?
Yes, treatment is a must. Head lice isn’t something that will go away on its own.
Lice live close to the scalp and feed on small amounts of blood. They can cause persistent itching and irritation.
They can also easily spread to other people through close contact.
This doesn’t mean that you need to panic or deep-clean every surface in your home. They primarily spread through head-to-head contact.
If you aren’t sure that what your child has is head lice, getting a professional opinion at POP Now can save a lot of stress and worry.
What Does Head Lice Look Like?
Head lice can be difficult to identify, especially without proper lighting. Adult lice move through the hair.
Their eggs, known as nits, can look like little specks attached to individual hairs. They’re easily confused with dandruff or other debris.
One telltale sign of telling nits apart from dandruff is that they stick to the hair shaft. Dandruff tends to flake away much more easily.
If your child is constantly itching or has intense itching, or if something looks off, it’s worth scheduling a visit with a medical professional.
When to Visit a Pediatric Urgent Care
Head lice isn’t usually an emergency. But, it’s often worth seeking care sooner rather than later.
If you’re unsure if your child actually has life, or if their scalp is super irritated because of excessive scratching, a trip to POP Now can be very helpful.
Instead of just guessing, our team can assess, diagnose, and provide treatment for your child so that they can stop itching.
How Is Lice Diagnosed and What Treatments Are Available?
The first step is confirming the presence of lice. A pediatric healthcare provider will examine your child’s scalp and hair closely to check for lice and/or nits.
Once lice are confirmed, treatment focuses on getting rid of the live insects and removing any remaining nits. There are many treatment options that are safe and effective for children, including:
- Permethrin lotion
- Pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide
- Ivermectin lotion
- Spinosad
One of our providers will determine which treatment is best for your child.
How to Minimize the Risk of Lice in the Future
Even after successful treatment, there’s no guarantee that your child won’t get head lice again. There’s always a risk, especially if your kid is around others at school, daycare, or camp.
But, there are some simple things you can do to lower the risk. This includes:
- Teaching your kid to avoid head-to-head contact as much as possible
- Not sharing items that touch the hair, such as brushes, combs, hats, headphones, helmets, or hair accessories
- Checking their scalp carefully for signs of lice
Most importantly, if anyone is diagnosed with head lice, start treatment as soon as possible to reduce the risk of spreading to other family members or friends.
Itchy Scalp? Treat Head Lice in Rockville, MD, at POP NOW
When your child needs to treat head lice in Rockville, MD, come to POP Now. We have an experienced team of nurses and doctors who can provide the care your little one needs.
For same-day care, schedule an appointment online or give our office a call at (240) 922-0001 and visit our Rockville clinic any day of the week!