What Are Head Lice?

The head louse is a parasite which needs a host (person) for nourishment. It is a small wingless insect that feeds at the scalp. This causes persistent itching.

Adult head lice attach their eggs, called nits, to the hair shaft, often close to the scalp. Nits are small grayish-white, oval-shaped eggs. Eggs hatch within 7 - 10 days and the new lice reach adulthood in about 2 weeks. Head lice survive away from the body for about 48 hours; nits survive about 10 days. Both early and late appointments are available.

How do they spread?

Head lice are very contagious. Anyone can get head lice. Head lice do not jump from person to person. They are mainly spread through head to head contact but are also spread through the sharing of combs, brushes, hats, scarves, clothing and even stuffed animals.

Every member of the family should be checked. Be sure not to confuse nits with hair spray and dandruff. Hair spray and dandruff come off the hair easily. Nits are glued securely to one side of the hair shaft.

Children under two years of age should be treated by manual removal of lice and their eggs.

What To Do

1. Purchase an over-the-counter product for head lice. Consult your doctor IF YOU ARE PREGNANT, nursing, or have allergies, asthma, epilepsy or lice in you eyebrows or eyelashes.
2. FOLLOW PACKAGE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY. Remember that these products are pesticides, not hair products. Never use a pesticide on or near the eyes.
3. Remove all nits. Nits are not automatically loosened by the lice shampoo; you must remove them. In bright light or near a window, separate hair into sections and work on one section at a time. Hold strand of hair between the thumb and forefinger. With the other hand, use the thumb and forefinger to strip the egg downward and off each hair. This takes time but is the best way to remove all the nits.
   
   Head lice shampoos do not kill 100% of the nits. CHILDREN MUST BE NIT FREE BEFORE RETURNING TO SCHOOL.
4. Wash bedding and recently worn clothing in hot water and dry in hot dryer. Combs and brushes may be soaked in hot water for 10 minutes.
5. Vacuuming is much safer than lice sprays and just as effective. Vacuum beds and couches, rugs, and your car's interior. Dispose of vacuum bag.
6. Non-washable items such as stuffed animals, dolls or clothing that cannot be washed should be sealed in a plastic bag and stored for 2 weeks.
7. Notify your child's school, child care provider and neighborhood parents. Check for lice on a regular basis.
8. Children are expected to return to school the following day with a parent or other responsible adult escorting them to be checked by the Health Office staff. A follow-up check may be done by the Health Office staff in approximately one week. For more information, call your school's Health Office.