Back-to-school time could mean a return of head lice

CLEVELAND - Back to school means homework, and for some students, head lice.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lice infects mostly school-aged children. Health experts estimate that six to 12 million U.S. kids, between the ages of three and 11 years old, are infested each year.

Head lice is typically spread by sharing hair brushes, clothing or having close contact with a person infested.

Some common signs of head lice include itching, small, red bumps around the scalp and eggs visible on the hair shaft. Those infested may also have trouble sleeping because lice tend to be more active at night.

There are several options to effectively treat head lice and prevent reinfestation. Many doctors recommend using over-the-counter or prescription lice treatments that contain mild pesticides. Other treatment options include brushing lice out of wet hair, or massaging petroleum jelly into the scalp to "smother" the pests.

While head lice is a nuisance, the pests are generally harmless and are not known to spread disease. It's also a myth that lice are a product of poor hygiene. Health experts say the parasites actually prefer clean and thick hair.