
Properly called Pediculus humanus capitis, head lice
are parasitic insects that are small, wingless, and
grayish-tan.

Head lice only live in humans, and anyone can get
them, even with good health habits and hair washing.

Head lice is very common.
 Nits
are head lice eggs. They are
very small, about the size of a
knot in thread, hard to see, and
are often confused for dandruff
or hair spray droplets.
 Nits are laid by the adult female
at the base of the hair shaft 1/4th
inch from the scalp.
 They are oval and usually yellow
to white.
 Nits take about 1 week to hatch.
 The
nit hatches into a baby
louse called a nymph.
 It
looks like an adult head
louse, but is smaller.
 Nymphs
mature into adults
about 7 days after hatching.
 To
live, the nymph must feed on
blood.
 They
are about the size of a sesame seed,
has six legs, and is tan to grayish-white.
 Adult lice can vary in color depending on the
person’s hair color.
 Females, which are usually larger than
males, lay eggs.
 Adult lice can live up to 30 days.
 If the louse falls off a person, it dies within 2
days.
 Gray
bugs in hair
 Nits
(white eggs) attached to
hair follicles
 Itchy
scalp
 Scalp
rash
 ANYONE
who comes close contact (especially
head to head contact) with someone who
already has head lice is at greatest risk.
 You might also be at risk if you share clothing
(such as hats, scarves, coats) or other
personal items (brushes or towels) that belong
to an infested person.
 Preschool, elementary-age children, girls, and
women have higher risks.
 Personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home or
school has nothing to do with getting head
lice.
 Start
with over the counter
treatment as directed on
dry hair. Ask a pharmacist
questions if necessary.
This is the most important step in getting rid of head
lice.
 No lice treatment kills 100% of nits, so all nits must be
removed to prevent them from hatching. If one nit is
left, the head lice problem could continue.
 Mixture of half vinegar and half rubbing alcohol applied
to the hair can help to loosen the nits prior to combing.
As you remove the nits, put them in alcohol.
 Good light is necessity! Sunlight or fluorescent lights
are best. Nits will be missed in regular light.
 Metal nit combs work better than plastic ones. Combing
out nits is not the same as combing hair with a regular
comb. Divide hair into small sections to comb through
carefully.


Lice may live up to 3 days and nits up to 3 weeks. To
prevent infection, vacuum child’s mattress daily,
soak combs and brushes for 1hr in a solution made
from anti lice shampoo, and wash all bed linens and
clothes in hot water and place in dryer.

Vacuum carpet, cloth furniture, and seats of cars.
Throw bag away.

Place all stuffed animals or items with cloth in an
airtight bag for 2 weeks.

If lice or nits are seen on the eyelashes, apply
Vaseline to the eyelashes twice a day for one week.
NO anti lice shampoo should be used near the eyes
or eyelashes.
Cover head and hair with mineral oil for 30mins.
 Wash hair with Dawn dish soap until mineral oil
is removed.
 Apply white vinegar to cover all scalp and hair
for another 30mins. Protect eyes.
 Rinse vinegar with warm water thoroughly and
remove all nits under bright light.
 Treatment can be repeated as needed.


Your child may return to school when ALL nits are
removed.

Have your child checked by a school nurse to
make sure.

Retreatment is recommended in 7 to 10 days to
remove any remaining nits or lice.

Check the heads of other family members.

If anyone has scalp sores, rashes or itching, they
should be treated with the shampoo also.
 Call
your doctor if:
- Itching prevents sleep
- The scalp rash clears, then returns
- The scalp rash lasts more than one week.
- Living lice or eggs appear in the hair after
treatment.
- The sores spread or look infected.
- Your child displays signs of infection such as
increased swelling, redness, pain, drainage,
bad smell from sores, and fever.

Hair spray or any other medicated sprays will NOT
prevent head lice.

Head lice are mainly spread by head to head contact.

Head lice can also be spread indirectly…

Teach your child not to share combs, brushes, coats or
hats!
 If
you have any questions, contact your school
nurse.
 You can also contact the following if you need
help treating head lice or if you have
questions:
- Lice Ladies of Atlanta (1-888-924-5423)
- Family Lice Removal (1-877-488-8401)
- Natural Head Lice Removal (1-866-355-5423)
 http://www.lice911.com/page.php?page=pre
vention
 http://www.headlice.org/
 http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/par
asitic/lice.html
 http://www.cdc.gov/lice/head/factsheet.ht
ml