head lice
Itchy scalp insects
Head lice are tiny parasitic insects that infest human scalps, feeding on blood and causing intense itching.
They spread through direct head-to-head contact, commonly among schoolchildren.
The plural of head louse, though *lice* alone usually suffices: The school sent home a note about lice.
An infestation requires treatment with special shampoos or combing to remove lice and their eggs (nits).
Lice before hatching
- outbreakSudden eruption of trouble
- spreadTo distribute widely
- infestationPest takeover situation
- transmissionSending of information
contact · schoolchildren · classroom · sharing · combs · hats · pillows · close contact
Infestation of body lice
- ectoparasiteOrganism feeding on host externally
- parasitismOne benefits, one suffers
- life cycleOrganism's full developmental sequence
- hostOne receiving guests
bloodsucker · nymph · egg · molt · feeding · crawling · wingless · six-legged
Tool for removing lice
- permethrinSynthetic bug-killing compound
- pyrethrinPlant-based insect toxin
- ivermectinAntiparasitic medication for worms
- prescriptionMedical dispensing authorization
over-the-counter · rinse · combing · topical · application · resistance · dimethicone · retreatment
Irritating skin sensation
- scratchingRaking with nails
- pruritusMedical term for itching
- irritationMild anger or inflammation
- tinglingSlight stinging sensation
discomfort · sensation · redness · inflammation · sores · tickling · restlessness · sleeplessness
Excessive focus on minutiae
- fine-tooth combClosely-spaced grooming implement
- magnifying glassHandheld lens for enlargement
- napeBack of neck
- hairlineScalp-skin boundary
nits
Lice before hatching
- outbreakSudden eruption of trouble
- spreadTo distribute widely
- infestationPest takeover situation
transmission · contact · schoolchildren · classroom · sharing · combs · hats · pillows · close contact · epidemic
pediculosis
Infestation of body lice
- ectoparasiteOrganism feeding on host externally
- parasitismOne benefits, one suffers
- life cycleOrganism's full developmental sequence
host · bloodsucker · nymph · egg · molt · feeding · crawling · wingless · six-legged · antennae
nit comb
Tool for removing lice
- permethrinSynthetic bug-killing compound
- pyrethrinPlant-based insect toxin
- ivermectinAntiparasitic medication for worms
prescription · over-the-counter · rinse · combing · topical · application · resistance · dimethicone · retreatment · home remedy
itching
Irritating skin sensation
- scratchingRaking with nails
- pruritusMedical term for itching
- irritationMild anger or inflammation
tingling · discomfort · sensation · redness · inflammation · sores · tickling · restlessness · sleeplessness · secondary infection
nit picking
Excessive focus on minutiae
- fine-tooth combClosely-spaced grooming implement
- magnifying glassHandheld lens for enlargement
- napeBack of neck
hairline · white eggs · school nurse · screening · confirmation
- childhood ailmentschickenpox, measles, mumps, croup, ear infection
- childhood illnesseschickenpox, measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough
- licebody louse, crab louse, nit, nits, egg
- Biting Pestsmosquito, mosquitoes, flea, fleas, bedbug
- bloodsuckersmosquito, tick, flea, leech, bedbug
- pestsants, ant, bugs, cockroach, cockroaches