HEAD LICE
Head lice infestations continue to be a problem in all communities. Lice are highly
communicable and difficult to prevent, but if every parent will take the
responsibility to CHECK A HEAD and screen the entire family often, these
parasites can be prevented or detected early and controlled. This is often a
frustrating problem to deal with, but the following information should help you to
identify and treat your child for head lice safely and thoroughly.
Head lice are insects or parasites that make a home in your hair. They do not
ordinarily live on any animal except man. They are about the size of sesame
seeds, are usually light brown in color. They move quickly and shy away from the
light, making them difficult to see. Female lice lay three to four eggs (nits) each
day which will hatch in seven to ten days. They are firmly attached to a shaft of
hair close to the scalp by a cement-like substance. They will not wash off or blow
away. LICE DO NOT JUMP OR FLY. They move from one person to another through
head to head contact, or when people share items such as clothing, hats, combs,
or brushes.
It is important to stress that anyone can get lice - being dirty is not a factor.
Frequent bathing or shampooing will not prevent lice nor eliminate them once
they are established. Household pets do not transmit lice.
Diagnosis is more often made on the basis of finding nits (eggs). Nits are tiny,
yellowish-white oval eggs attached to the hairshafts. Nits may be found
throughout the hair, but are most often located at the nape of the neck, behind
the ears, and at the crown. A magnifying glass and natural light may help when
looking for them.
Symptoms of infestation are usually the itching that occurs when lice bite and
suck blood from the scalp. Although not everyone will experience the itching,
children seen scratching their heads should be examined at once. Often red bite
marks or scratch marks can be seen on the scalp and neck. In severe infestations,
a child may develop swollen glands in the neck or under the arms.
Safety must come first when using treatments. Before one family member is
treated, all should be examined. Only those showing evidence of infestation
should be treated. Treat them at the same time to prevent re-infestation from
one family member to another. Individual treatment involves the use of a
pediculicidal product and the use of a combing tool manufactured for the purpose
of nit removal. Proceed as follows:
• Remove child’s shirt and provide a towel to protect the eyes. Do not treat in the
bathtub or shower, but have the child lean over the sink (this confines the lice
products to the scalp/neck.)
• Use one of several louse remedies available at your pharmacy or store. Some
are available by prescription*; some over the counter. Consult your pharmacist or
physician if you are pregnant, nursing , have allergies, using medication or
discover lice/nits in the eyebrows or eyelashes or the lice removal involves an
infant. No treatment should be used in the eye area. Avoid applying treatments
when there are open wounds on the scalp of the person to be treated or on the
hands of the person who will apply the product.
• Although it can take time and sometimes be difficult, remove all nits to insure
complete treatment. Louse products do not kill all the nits, and survivors will
hatch into crawling lice within 7-10 days, generating a cycle of self re-infestation.
Even dead nits will cling to the hair and cause uncertainty about re-infestation. Nit
removal can be accomplished with a special combing tool or by picking them out
with the fingernails. Nits can also be cut out with small safety scissors. Nit
combing is best accomplished with hair that is slightly damp.
• Following nit removal, have child put on clean clothing and let hair air dry.
• A daily nit check is advisable for at least 10 days following treatment and then
checking should become part of a routine hygiene. You may have to retreat in 710 days if there is evidence of new nits or newly-hatched lice. (Regardless of
precautions taken at home, re-infestation from others can stilltake place.)
Treatment itself can cause itching; do not retreat on the basis of itchiness alone.
• Machine wash all clothing and bed linens which have been in contact with the
infested person during the last three days. Articles should be washed in hot water
and dried in a hot dryer. Non-washable can be vacuumed or dry cleaned.
• “Bagging” is generally not necessary. Rugs, upholstered furniture, mattresses,
and stuffed animals can be carefully vacuumed to pick up living lice or nits
attached to fallen hairs.
• The use of insecticidal sprays is not recommended and strongly discouraged by
the NPA and Centers for Disease Control because they may be harmful to family
members and pets and are of questionable benefit.
• Notify the school nurse if your child is found to have lice. Parental cooperation
will help protect all children including your own.