Medicine      24.01.2020

Can lice get on nerves. Can lice appear on nervous grounds and from stress. Lice from nerves myth or reality

What do lice and nits look like?

A person can be subjected to "attacks" of three types of lice:

Under laboratory conditions, these species interbreed, give fertile offspring, but in the natural environment, insects exist in isolation from each other.

What is the difference

The louse is a gray-brown bug with a size of 0.4-6 mm, with six legs. A nit is a louse egg covered with a special shell. The "cocoon" has a spindle shape and a "lid" through which the mature larva exits the capsule. Below is a belt that wraps around the egg and the hair to which it is attached. The length of the nit is 0.7-0.8 mm, the diameter of the capsule is about 0.4 mm.

Outside the head of a person, lice live no more than two days - this is how long they can last without food. If the temperature environment decreases to 10-12 ° C, pests can "stretch" longer - about ten days.

Life cycle of insects

The life cycle of the head louse that lives in human hair consists of four stages.

Fertilization and oviposition

A louse is capable of producing offspring, the age of which is about two weeks. After fertilization by the male and the "meal", the female lays eggs. It happens like this.

  • Egg maturation. While the louse moves up the hair, an egg descends through the oviduct in the body of the insect, passing through the glands that cover it with a special composition.
  • Egg exit. Through the secret, the egg, leaving through the anus, is attached to the hair at a distance of 2-3 cm from the root.
  • Hair attachment. After a few minutes, the shell becomes so strong that it is not possible to remove the nits from the curl even with nails.

The louse chooses free hair for laying eggs. There can be more than one nit on one curl, only if there are a lot of insects.

Larval development

In a cocoon, the larva develops in five to eight days. Maturing time depends on environmental conditions. For nits, the most favorable temperature is 33 ° C. When the indicator drops to 22 ° C or rises to 40 ° C, the development of the insect stops.

At a temperature of more than 45 ° C, the larva dies; at 0 ° C, it can survive for two to three months. However, even in winter, the temperature of the human scalp rarely drops below 25 ° C, so lice can successfully develop all year round.

Exit from the capsule

The mature larva squeezes the cover of the "cocoon" and begins to breathe. Inhaled air passes through the esophagus of the insect and, leaving through the anus, accumulates in the lower part of the shell. Under the action of pressure, the larva is pushed out of the cocoon. The process of "birth" takes only a few minutes.

Transformation into an adult

The larva emerging from the egg resembles an adult, but is smaller in size and is not capable of producing offspring. Within 14-16 days the insect grows, during this period there are three molts. After the latter, the pest is able to reproduce, which it does, mating almost immediately with an individual of the opposite sex.

Lice multiply on a person's head very quickly. Each female, under favorable conditions, lays about ten eggs per day.

What is dangerous pediculosis for humans

  1. The risk of contracting dangerous diseases. Pests are carriers of typhus, trench fever, but in modern conditions this rarely happens.
  2. The likelihood of wound infection. Lice leave bite marks on the skin, through which infection can enter the bloodstream.
  3. Dermatological lesions. Bite marks provoke the appearance of bluish spots, allergic reactions, sometimes - pustular formations and pyoderma.
  4. Discomfort. Finding lice on the head is associated with constant itching and burning.
  5. Difficulty in social contacts. When communicating with other people, a person who has lice in his hair feels awkward. In addition, it is dangerous to others, since the risk of infection is high.

How can you "catch"

How do people get lice and how do you know if there are lice on your head? Doctors have found out where lice come from in a person, and how they crawl from a “sick” head to a “healthy” one. Two ways of infection with pediculosis have been identified.

  1. From person to person. Most often, insects are transmitted in this way. This happens if people share the same bed, sit close to each other.
  2. Through personal hygiene items and clothing. When sharing towels, combs, hairpins and rubber bands, pests also "travel" from head to head. You can become infected by wearing a hat, hooded jacket, or other clothing worn by a person with lice.

Nits, unlike lice, can be transmitted from person to person in exceptional cases, as they are firmly attached to the hair.

"Risk" public places

You can pick up lice anywhere by close contact with an infected person or by using his personal belongings. Most often this happens in:

  • schools;
  • kindergartens;
  • public transport;
  • cinemas.

Pediculosis can be contracted even in public bathing places, such as a swimming pool. In poor areas of India, infection often occurs while swimming in the river.

Common myths

Some word of mouth information about lice is wrong. Here are five of the most common myths.

There is an opinion that lice can appear on a nervous basis. Oddly enough, this is partly true. There is evidence that insects are more likely to "attack" those who are prone to anxiety and worries. In such people, the blood pulsates strongly, the excessive sweating process, the smell of their body is attractive to insects.

Incubation period

When lice "settle" on the head, they begin to bite immediately, however, with a small number of insects, a person does not attach much importance to unpleasant sensations. Only after three to four weeks, when there are a lot of pests, the signs of their presence become noticeable.

How to detect uninvited "guests" ...

The very first sign of head lice is itchy skin. After a pest bite, a wound is formed into which its saliva enters, causing irritation. When there are few lice, the itching is insignificant, it is rarely associated with the presence of insects. However, the more they become, the more unbearable these sensations are.

The appearance of itching does not mean infection with pediculosis; only the detection of insects and nits can confirm the diagnosis. Adult lice are quite difficult to see: they live on the skin and move quickly. Most often, nits are found first. You can see light capsules with eggs with the naked eye, they are especially noticeable on dark straight hair. Nits are sometimes mistaken for dandruff.

... and distinguish from dandruff

There are four ways to distinguish dandruff from nits.

  1. Quantity. The amount of dandruff is always about the same, while the number of nits is increasing day by day.
  2. Appearance. Dandruff flakes can be of various sizes, reaching 5 mm, the size of nits is approximately the same - no more than 0.8 mm. On closer examination, a dark egg can be seen through the shell of the nit, the empty capsule has a yellow or gray tint. Dandruff is always uniformly white in color.
  3. Sound. If you press on the nits, you can hear a characteristic click.
  4. The quality of the "clutch". Dandruff can be easily brushed off curls, while nits are firmly connected to the hair.

How to do a head exam

Finding lice can be difficult, especially if the hair is light and curly, or there are not so many pests yet. You can look at the photo on the Internet how they look. Pictures and photos will not always be able to show how lice spread. The only sure way is combing with a special comb with frequent teeth. They can be white or black. What a nit looks like can be seen under a microscope. But it is advisable to entrust the examination to the medical staff, but you can carry out the procedure at home.

How to act

  1. Settle in a well-lit area.
  2. Comb your hair with a regular comb, dividing the tangled curls.
  3. Comb one strand with a special comb with frequent teeth.
  4. Immediately after combing, wipe the tool with a white napkin or cotton pad: lice and nits will be noticeable on a light background if they are present on the head.
  5. Comb several strands in this way.

Pediculosis is a fairly common disease, but the nature of its causes has not been fully identified. There are rumors that in a state of human tranquility, nits and lice doze, staying in the head of their owner - the food supplier. And when a person is nervous or depressed, lice begin to become active, causing itching and a bunch of other unpleasant moments. This sounds unconvincing and even stupid, however, it does not prevent the existence of numerous factors about the development of head lice due to nerves. Consider whether lice can appear on nerves.

Where do pests actually come from?

The theory that subcutaneous lice in humans can start on nerves is connected with several points.

  • In a state of calm, they doze and do not manifest themselves;
  • in stressful situations, they react to thoughts and actively feed on the host's resources by biting it.

Evidence that lice from nerves is a myth

So lies or reality are all these beliefs?

Lice from nerves is fiction and nothing more. They can become infected due to dirt and neglect of cleanliness.

In addition to the fact that lice come from nerves, there are several other mythical beliefs. These beliefs are more tenacious than facts that have a scientific evidence base.

Possible diseases

Other skin-type diseases may appear on nervous disorders, but they are not related to pediculosis.

In addition, due to irritated nerves, not only lice can appear, but also other diseases. People suffer from many ailments associated with this problem. Timely treatment of the disease will restore good health.

Even in childhood, one could hear such an opinion from my grandmother that lice appear from nerves. Oddly enough, this theory continues to exist today. Some are skeptical about it and completely deny it. Others are upholding the truth. How is it really? Can lice appear on nerves? You can see in the photo below.

  1. Lice and nits are different insects. Everyone lives their own life. You can find only nits or only lice on the head.
  2. Lice are cancer cells. Appear due to strong excitement. They begin to actively develop and turn into insects.

It is interesting that the theory is supported not only by rural residents, but also by quite educated city dwellers.

Testimonials from eyewitnesses who claim that lice appeared on nerves are presented on various forums for review. Make you think.

Marina, 22 years old

“As a child, my grandmother said: “Be less nervous - lice will appear!” Ran out warnings. I couldn't understand the logic at all. Lice pediculosis - insects. How can they come from nerves? Pushed on senile illiteracy, did not pay attention. After entering the university, a difficult situation arose. Problems with studies, parting with a beloved guy. I was worried, I was very nervous. A week later, I began to feel itching on my head. Decided it was a nerve allergy. When combing, I found a few nits. I asked a friend to look at her head. The answer was stunned - lice. I remembered my grandmother's words - it was not a laughing matter. I had to believe!

Olga 30 years old

Life stories are amazing. Scientists were able to refute the folk theory, brought their facts.

Lice on nerves refutation of scientists

  • Lice from nerves are not able to fly and jump over. They are transmitted from person to person through clothes, things, hats, combs, hairpins and through close contact. For example, kissing. During nervous disorders, stressful situations in a person, the composition of sweat and smell changes. Attracts insects, and they rush to move to the "appetizing" head. In a calm state, a person is less attractive, insects can ignore him.
  • Lice do not live under human skin or anywhere in the body. First, they need oxygen. Secondly, lice exist without food for only two days. Months and years in a hungry state are not able to live physically.
  • Nits are lice larvae. They do not arise on their own. In the future, they will definitely turn into.
  • An insect cannot appear from cancer cells. Cells only provoke the disease, they are not related to the birth of insects.

Theories from the people are considered myths!

IN childhood lice appear more often than in adults. The reasons are clear - the children's team, different families, close contact.

A small child does not know about lice, symptoms of appearance, itching is not alarming. Mom can see the problem.

Nervous lice in a child - truth or myth

Repeated studies by scientists have proven that there are no eggs and nits in the human body. They are not transmitted from animals, they do not start from dirt. Infection occurs only from a person in different places. The child is more likely to be in risky situations. Children change hats, use other people's combs, play with each other for a long time.

Where can a child get lice:

  • At school;
  • In kindergarten;
  • On the mug;
  • Basin;
  • In line to the doctor or in the store;
  • On the playground.

In a word, everywhere. Some parents continue to insist that lice appeared in their child on a nervous basis. An example from life.

Svetlana, 22 years old

“At the age of 8, she experienced the delights of tragedy. Grandma was killed in a car accident. The news came to us at night. The mother was so shocked by the news that she began to scream. Scream to frighten me. In the morning my head started to itch a lot. By evening, they treated their hair with kerosene. Whether there were lice - I do not know. Mom says they were. So I got my first baby lice!”

Karina, 18 years old

“When I was 10 years old, my parents began to divorce. The process was long and unpleasant. Constant screams, quarrels. I was very worried. After a month of hassle, my head began to itch. The mother found lice. Our family is quite clean. I didn't wander anywhere. Friends from normal families. All my friends said - from the nerves. Where did the eggs come from? True, on a nervous basis ?!

Why does my head itch when stressed?

Severe itching on the head may indicate not only the presence of lice. On the basis of nerves, allergies, dermatitis, psoriasis appear. Because of self-hypnosis, it seems that someone is crawling on the head and the hair is moving. In fact, no one is there. To get rid of suggestions, you need to drink a sedative, brew herbal tea. Chamomile, lemon balm, mint, motherwort, valerian, glod are excellent.

Cones that are perceived as the "place of residence" of lice eggs -. A completely different disease, has nothing to do with pediculosis.

Proven by science - lice do not appear on nervous grounds. Itching from other head ailments is mistaken for head lice.

However, during such situations, it is not just people who complain of itching, find real insects. Everything can be explained. For greater persuasiveness, scientists need to work a little more and present new facts. Until then, there will be an opinion among the people that head lice can arise on a nervous basis.

On the one hand, it seems absurd, on the other hand, people bring more and more facts.

Valery, 40 years old

No matter what lice start on the body, the treatment is the same: folk remedies, pharmaceutical preparations, special cosmetics. The sooner you start it, the sooner you will get rid of insects. It is necessary to have a conversation with the child - to tell about the ways of infection.

Speculation that lice appear on nervous grounds is widespread, not only in provincial areas, but also among the urban, well-educated population.

Lice on the scalp

When using the same comb, the spread of nits and adults occurs. The source of infection can be personal hygiene items. Sharing the same towel, pillow, hat increases the risk of lice passing from one person to another.

Can lice get from stress?

Among the less standard options may be swimming in pools of stagnant water.

Lice can exist for a long time without oxygen, they can live in water for several days.

Psychosomatics of lice infestation

Treatment of pediculosis in an adult

Increased nervous tension contributes to the production of sweat, lice are very sensitive to it.

However, if there are no people infected with pediculosis in the immediate environment, then lice will not just start up, even if the person is in deep stress. However, his head may itch, but the cause will be hidden in a psychosomatic reaction.

Theories of the appearance of lice from nerves

Several theories are popular among the people that explain how lice can appear in a person experiencing deep stress. Among the theories available are the following:

It has been suggested that the predisposition to the appearance of lice is inherited. In fact, genetics does not affect this factor in any way.

Preventive examination for pediculosis

Lice from nerves - myth or reality? The information received suggests that under certain circumstances, lice in a person under the influence of stress can start.

Nevertheless, scientific explanation and confirmation of any of the versions can not be given.

Therefore, this remains just a theory, or, to be more precise, a delusion in which a lot of people believe, as from major cities, and from the province. This myth is believed by people different levels intellectual development.

Constant stress, deep depression, strong feelings often entail various Negative consequences. Extremely rapid weight loss, profuse hair loss, blurred vision - this is not all that can happen. It is believed that even lice on nerves are possible.

Is pediculosis really caused by stress?

Meanwhile, the prejudices that lice from nerves can appear on their own are very strong. This myth is widespread both in remote villages and in big cities. Even educated people they believe in it, regardless of the essence of this prejudice from the category of remnants and popular beliefs.

Why is the assumption so common? To some extent, this is due to science, as experts do not always dispel people's doubts.

  • games;
  • close communication;
  • sexual intercourse;
  • struggle;
  • kiss;
  • embrace;
  • sleep on one pillow.

This is the reality - lice pass on a clean head through the use of shared hats, accessories, hygiene items or direct contact with the carrier of small insects.

That's why it's so important to avoid using someone else's hair products, including:

  • hairpins;
  • headbands;
  • combs;
  • gum;
  • "invisibles";
  • towels.

The real state of affairs

Another option that is not taken into account is the possibility of transmitting lice through underwear, hats, and clothes. However, the condition “works” here - several people must wear them. Fur hats are especially dangerous in this regard.

It is worth remembering that lice:

  • do not know how to fly;
  • inactive;
  • can end up in the hair of a stressed person only from a different host.

Down with the vestiges of pediculosis!

Nervous pediculosis cannot arise, despite the mass of remnants, myths and conjectures that have existed for many centuries.

Experiences cannot cause pediculosis, but quite easily become the causes of diseases with similar symptoms:

  • dermatitis;
  • psoriasis.