Head Lice

Head lice are small wingless insects that live on a person’s head.  The adult louse is about the size of a sesame seed tan/gray in color.  The female lives 3-4 weeks and can lay up to 10 eggs per day.  The tiny eggs (nits) are attached ¼ from the base of the hair shaft usually at the back of the head and behind the ears.  It takes 7-12 days for the nits to hatch.  The nits may be camouflaged the color of the hair or white once the louse has hatched. 

• Lice are not a health hazard or a sign of poor hygiene.  Nor do they transmit disease.  
• Lice only crawl, they do not fly or jump.  
• Lice are most often shared by head to head contact, rarely through combs, hats or headbands. 

Treatment

• Wash hair with a lice shampoo, like Nix.  Repeat 7-10 days later if live lice are seen.  The shampoo only kills live lice.  They do not harm the eggs.  May repeat in 7 days if live lice are seen.  Do not use more often than every 7-10 days. 
• Comb hair daily for 14 days with metal nit comb.  Start with a very small section of hair and starting at the scalp. (THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP)
• Remove every egg (nit) and louse that you see, dispose of them in the garbage or flush in drain/toilet.  

Cleaning

• Wash bedding, hats, coats, towels in hot water and or put in drier on high heat. 
• Clean brushes and combs in hot soapy water, soak for 10 minutes

Other Things to Consider

• Be sure to check everyone else living in the household and treat if lice/nits are found
• Notify the parents of your child’s friends that your child has lice
• Your child will not be excluded from school
• Check your child’s hair weekly for any signs of lice 
• If your child has hair long enough consider putting it up in a ponytail or a braid