Lice Sores: How Do You Get Them and How To Treat Them

Everyone associates head lice with excessive itching. Another common issue people who may be dealing with head lice may run into is sores in head from lice. If the eggs are laid on the strands of hair, and the bugs live on the scalp and not in the scalp, what causes lice sores? If you have sores that are present with a case of head lice, what is the best way to treat them? Let’s discuss.

Can Lice Cause Sores On Scalp?

Head lice sores are not necessarily present with every case of head lice. The reason can be linked back to what actually causes lice sores when they are present. Head lice feed on the scalp of their host’s head multiple times throughout the day. They do this by biting the scalp and sucking human blood, which is their sole food supply and source of nourishment. When a louse bites a person, the saliva of the louse present. This saliva can cause an allergic reaction, which is what causes the itching people associate with head lice. The scratching that will inevitably result from the bite is what will cause the sore on the host’s head to develop. Much like a reaction to a bite from any other insect like a mosquito, chigger, bed bug, or ant bite, the levels of the reaction, or “itchy-ness”, can and will vary from person to person. Some individuals will have absolutely no reaction, while some will experience mild irritation, and there are some people who will experience a more intense reaction, resulting in itching and causing the infested person to scratch more intensely, which will cause more prominent head lice scalp sores.

How Do Lice Sores Look Like?

Keeping in mind that the itching and scratching from the reaction to the bites is what actually causes these sores to develop, head lice sores on scalp can be discovered anywhere on the infested person’s head. However, the most prominent places that these lice sores can be found are the areas that lice like to spend the most of their time. This would be the parts and areas of the head that provide the most warmth and shelter and where it may prove to be more difficult for them to be found. These areas are found at the back of the head, near the base of the skull or nape of the neck where the hair line starts. Another location on the head that provides this warm, inviting environment for head lice would be behind the infested individual’s ears. With regards to girls, be on the lookout for bites, or sores, in areas of the head where hair may be concentrated in one location, like under the area where a pony tail holder is secured, is also a likely spot where bugs will find comfort.

When you see sores from head lice bites on the head you will likely immediately know exactly what they are as live bugs and nits will probably be present as well. You can see from our picture that this person has several bites at varying degrees of irritation. These sores will be red and inflamed, the skin around these sores may be swollen, and you are likely to find these sores in varying sizes. Smaller sores may indicate they are a more recent bite that has not had an opportunity to be “scratched” as much, while larger sores may have a more prominent reaction from being present longer and due to the scratching that would be associated with them. If the reaction to head lice bites is severe, and the itching is not controlled, you may even see some clear fluid or blood coming from the open sores.

These bites can appear very similar to other insect bites as the reactions are very similar. However, bed bugs, mosquitos, chiggers and other insects that bite do not occupy, or live on the human head the way that head lice do. Reactions can be more or less severe depending on the individual so finding other examples of head lice sores pictures may help you to feel more confident in your discovery and diagnosis of sores on scalp from itching lice bites.

While other insects are likely not the cause for sores on the human head, there are other things that can cause itching and soreness on the scalp. For example, dandruff causes itching, and in severe cases the scratching may cause the skin to break. These will appear different from sores that are a result of head lice bites. You will notice that there are dandruff flakes surrounding the affected area and the broken skin will not be around a concentrated “bite” area, rather, the broken skin will be anywhere the itching has been so severe and uncontrolled so as to break the skin and cause sores.

How To Treat Head Lice Sores On Scalp?

We are LiceDoctors, not medical doctors so we cannot provide medical advice on head lice sores treatment, or treatment of head lice sores. However, there are a few practical things that you can do to help relieve the discomfort associated with or caused by lice sores and encourage healing to make them go away faster.

Step 1: Treat the case of head lice properly. While getting rid of, or killing the live bugs, on the head will prevent additional or new lice bites, you will need to ensure that the eggs are gone as well. Every single lice egg, also referred to as a nit, has to be removed from the hair to ensure the infestation does not come back.

Step 2: Keep the area as clean as possible. As you likely know, wounds need to be kept clean to encourage healing. To that end, and to whatever extent possible, keep the areas surrounding any lice bites as clean and dry as possible to encourage this healing.

Step 3: Stop scratching! We know it is difficult to not scratch any potential itches that come from a head lice infestation. For some, the itching associated with a case of head lice is like none they have ever experienced before and the urge to itch can be overwhelming, but if at all possible, fight that urge. Itching will only exacerbate the condition to cause more itching, resulting in more scratching. And let’s face it, fingernails are dirty. The more you scratch a bite, the more bacteria will be introduced to the wound which can significantly slow down healing times.

While these recommendations may seem simple, they are so important. Head lice infestations do not go away if they are not treated properly. In fact, if you choose to not treat a case of head lice, the population of lice on your head will continue to increase and multiply exponentially. Head lice multiply quickly, and before you know it you could have hundreds of live lice on your head biting you and causing more and more sores. The subsequent scratching may result in bacterial infections and cellulitis.

If the itching from the bites is very severe and you have pain or are having difficulty performing every day tasks, focusing or sleeping because of the pain or itching associated with the lice bites, contact your family doctor for medical advice. It is likely they can recommend an over the counter topical cream or an over the counter pain relief treatment that will help you get a measure of comfort while these lice bite sores heal. If the bites are becoming infected, see a doctor right away treat you for that as well.

Conclusion: LiceDoctors Will Help You Get Rid Of Lice and Their Bites!

If you have just found a lice infestation because of your, a family member’s, or friend’s reaction to lice bites, you are likely not wild about putting a pesticide lice treatment onto the head. These over the counter and pesticide lice treatments can cause some irritation and they are not even guaranteed to work! In fact – they are losing their effectiveness. Because of these reasons, many school nurses, moms and pediatricians prefer and are recommending professional lice treatments that use all natural products to safely and effectively get rid of lice. LiceDoctors technicians are ready and able to provide that service to you. The treatment they provide is safe for everyone and effective. Not only is it all natural, but it also helps to stop the bugs in their tracks as soon as the oil they use to treat the infestation is applied to the head. In addition, the olive oil helps to soothe any itching associated with the bites which will also help to minimize the urgent feeling of the need to scratch. With the oil in the hair, the technician will remove all of the bugs that have been trapped in the oil, and the combing process will get rid of all of the nits that are in the hair. You will be provided with a comprehensive, easy to follow, follow up plan that will help to ensure that the head lice infestation that was being experienced from your family is gone for good!

Call LiceDoctors at 800-224-2537 to speak with a dispatcher who will get you an appointment at a time that is convenient for you with a technician that can help you get rid of lice for good! The entire family will be lice free by the time she leaves and the service will be backed up with a thirty day lice free guarantee. If the lice is not gone, your technician will come back free of charge to take care of any residual lice issues you may experience. However, the treatment is effective in just one visit 99.6% of the time. Appointments are available day or night, 365 days every year, this does include weekends and all holidays – same day appointments are preferred!