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Head Lice

FIRST THINGS FIRST, KNOW THE FACTS:

  • If your child has head lice, please reassure them that they did nothing wrong. ANYONE can get head lice.

  • A head lice infestation is NOT a sign of poor personal hygiene or an unclean living environment.

  • Do not get frustrated if it takes more than 1-2 treatments to rid of head lice. This is very common as lice are very resilient.

  • Lice is a nuisance but NOT a health hazard. They do not carry or spread any type of diseases. 

  • Lice require blood to live, therefore once off the scalp, head lice rarely survive beyond 2 days.

  • Lice do NOT jump, fly or hop. 

  • Lice is spread through direct contact, mainly head to head contact. Also, sharing combs, brushes, hats can spread lice.

  • Pets CANNOT get or spread human head lice.

LICE VS. NITS:

Nits

Nits are lice eggs that are very tiny and difficult to see. They can be yellowish-brown to a pearly white. They are tear drop shaped.

Nits are firmly attached to the hair shaft and are usually close to the scalp.

Nits in HairThey attach to the hair shaft with a glue-like substance. This makes it so that the nits CANNOT be washed away or flicked off with a fingernail.

Nits hatch in 7-10 days and will become full adult lice in 9-12 days.

As long as nits remain alive, head lice will continue to spread. That is why it is important to check and remove nits DAILY.

LICE

Lice

Lice is a tiny wingless insect that live on the head and scalp of people. Approximately the size of a sesame seed as an adult.

Adult lice can live for about 3-4 weeks.

Adult louce lay approximately 4-8 eggs per day.

LIFE CYCLE OF LICE :

Life Cycle of Lice

SYMPTOMS:

  • Itching

  • Tickling feeling of something crawling in your hair.

  • Scratch marks ore red bite marks around the hair line or on scalp.

  • Increased itching and sleeplessness due to more activity of lice during the night.

TREATMENT:

  • Check every member of the family for live lice and nits.

  • Treat all family members who have head lice with a lice-killing product. Lice-killing products can be purchased over-the-counter at most pharmacies and retail stores that sell hair care products.

  • Follow label directions on the product you are using EXACTLY as the label states.

  • Remove all lice and nits with a lice comb (most lice-killing kits come with a lice comb) or pick them out with fingers. If you are using your fingers, be sure you are completely removing them from the hair. Remember, eggs use a glue to stay attached and need a little more force to remove them. 

  • Repeat treatment in approximately 7-10 days. Most lice-killing products recommend this time frame. Check to see what your product recommends.

  • Wash ALL pillows, bed sheets, stuffed animals and clothing that have been in contact with the individual with lice in hot water. Water should be at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Place all washed items in the dyer on the hottest setting for at least 20 minutes.

  • Place items that can not be washed or dried in a sealed plastic bag for 10-14 days.

  • Wash all hair care products such as brushes, combs, hair clips, etc. in hot water. Water should be at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit. 

  • Vacuum the entire house including rugs, furniture, floors, mattresses. Also, vacuum the car and car seats.

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