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***DO NOT treat your child or another individual for head lice unless you see live lice or nits (eggs) close to the head (1/4 inch from the scalp). **Unnecessary treatment has been led to medication resistant lice and unnecessary pesticide exposure.
Information:
Lice enjoy a habitat of thick, clean hair. Lice can be found on all hair textures.
Anyone can get lice-they are not a result of poor hygiene nor are tied to things like a person's socio-economic status, race, or lifestyle.
Lice only feed on human blood and are not caused by exposure to pets and wild animals.
Adult lice are small and gray, or reddish in color and can hold on tightly to hair shafts. They move by crawling often behind the ears, along the neckline to the back of the head, and at the crown/top of the head.
Nits (eggs) are found firmly ‘cemented’ to the hair about a ¼ inch away from the scalp. It is highly unlikely to have loose eggs contaminating fabrics and furniture.
They cannot hop, fly, or chase; they do not travel in “packs” or in a “herd”.
The number of lice found on a child’s hair will typically be no more than 15-20.
Symptoms are itchy scalp, crawling sensation in the hair, and small pricks of bleeding where the louse has fed.
Lice do not live away from the head for more than 2 days; they do not live on surfaces.
***If your child has head lice, it is important to treat your child before s/he returns to school. Exclude your child from attendance for at least one day after their first treatment with a medicated head lice product.
Lice Treatment:
Follow all the directions carefully and properly on the lice treatment medication.
Do NOT use lice medication unless there is an infestation-active live lice or nits seen close (1/4 inch) to the scalp.
Be cautious - not to use more than one head lice medication at time.
8-12 hours after treatment, examine your child’s head again. If you see a few lice still around, but they are moving more slowly than before, DO NOT re-treat. Comb the dead lice and any remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed nit/lice comb. Check your child’s hair again after 7 days, or as directed by product packaging guidelines.
*Specially designed, fine-toothed lice combs are very effective in live lice and nit removal.
Treatment of clothing and other items:
A clothes dryer set at high heat or use of a hot pressing iron will kill lice on pillowcases, sheets, nightclothes, towels and similar items your child has been in contact with during the previous two days. Lice and eggs on objects (such as stuffed toys) may be killed by freezing temperatures.
Vacuuming is sufficient for furniture and vehicles. Insecticide treatments for the home, vehicles, or carpets and furniture are not needed and unnecessarily expose family members to the insecticides.
Preventative measures:
Wear long hair in a protective styling such as a braid or a bun.
Check your child for signs of infestation after possible exposure from a close contact.
Have a stigma free conversation with other your child, family members, and other parents about head lice.
Professional Lice Treatment Clinics (*varying $$$/services)
CDC head lice information & treatment
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