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If you think your child may have been exposed to head lice, it is recommended that you check your child's head each night for two weeks. Head lice, otherwise known as Pediculus humanus capitis, pose no significant health concerns and are not known to spread disease. Millions of infestations occur in children 3-11 years old. Having an infestation is not a reflection on personal hygiene.
For more information, please visit www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/gen_info/faqs.html.
COMMON QUESTIONS
How did my child get head lice?
Head-to-head contact
Sharing clothing or hair items
Lying on a shared surface (i.e., couch or carpet)
What am I looking for?
Itching or tickling sensation on the scalp
Sores on the head from scratching
White or yellowish-brown nits (or eggs) adhering firmly to the hair shaft
Tan to grayish-brown lice with 6 legs that are the size of a sesame seed
Lice have a 30-day life cycle. They crawl. They cannot jump or fly.
What do I do if I find them?
Please, treat your child’s scalp prior to returning to school.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to appropriately use lice products.
Remember to check other family members and notify close contacts.
Comb hair with nit combs to help remove nits.
Machine wash and dry bedding and clothing items in hot water (130 degrees).
Items that cannot be washed may be sealed in a plastic bag for 2 weeks.
Soak hair brushes and combs for 5-10 min in hot water (130 degrees).
Vacuum floors and furniture.
Lice die 1-2 days after falling off a host, and nits die within a week of not being kept at the same temperature as the scalp.
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