Prescription lice treatment online: same-day medication

Head lice are highly contagious, and you can quickly develop a lice infestation if the insects crawl onto your head. Lice can spread through:

• Close contact (head-to-head contact) with someone who has lice

• Sharing personal items, such as hairbrushes, with someone who has lice

• Using fabric items, such as hats or clothing, after someone with head lice

Head lice move by crawling, and they cannot hop or fly. Anyone who comes into head-to-head contact with another person who already has lice is at the greatest risk. Poor personal hygiene and uncleanliness do not increase a person's risk of getting head lice.

The most common symptom of lice is itching, especially around the back of your head and neck—areas where lice are more likely to live. You might also experience:

• A tickling feeling or sensation that something is moving in your hair

• Irritability and difficulty sleeping since head lice are most active in the dark

• Small red bumps on your head, neck, ears, and shoulders

• Sores on your head due to excessive itching

Sometimes, head sores can become infected due to the bacteria found on your skin. Avoid scratching as much as possible and keep an eye on your symptoms. Swollen lymph nodes, tender skin, and crusting may indicate a skin infection.

The primary symptom of lice is an itchy scalp. You may also experience:

• A tickling sensation or the feeling of something moving through your hair

• Irritability or difficulty sleeping

• Small red bumps on your head, ears, neck, and shoulders

• Head sores from excessive itching

You might also notice lice or lice eggs (nits) on your hair shaft. Although lice can resemble dandruff, they aren't easily brushed out of the hair.

Eliminating lice involves three steps:

1. Kill the lice using an over-the-counter or prescription treatment.

2. Clean your home to lower your risk of another infestation. Make sure to wash bed sheets in hot water, vacuum any carpets, and seal objects you can't easily wash (like knit hats) in a plastic bag for two weeks.

3. A week after your first treatment, apply a second lice treatment to get rid of any eggs.

If you still notice lice symptoms after applying an over-the-counter treatment, contact your doctor. If needed, your doctor can prescribe prescription-strength lice treatment online in the form of medicated shampoos or lotions.

The best way to avoid lice is by avoiding direct contact with other people who have lice.

Lice are common in school-age children, and it's not always possible to prevent lice. However, you can teach your kids to practice the following preventive measures:

• Don't share personal belongings, such as clothes or hats.

• When possible, hang clothes, hats, and scarves on separate hooks.

• Avoid head-to-head contact with other people (in gym class, on the playground, or during sports).

The best prescription lice treatments include the following shampoos and lotions:

• Lindane (Kwell)

• Spinosad (Natroba)

• Malathion (Ovide)

• Ivermectin (Sklice)

• Benzyl alcohol (Ulesfia)

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