Head Lice

A very common problem, especially for school-aged children ages 3-12 years old (girls more often than boys). Head Lice are tiny, wingless parasitic insects that live among human hairs and feed on extremely small amounts of blood drawn from the scalp. Their bites cause extreme itching of the scalp, leading to skin irritation and even infection in some cases. Although they don't spread disease, Lice are very contagious and and just downright annoying. They can quickly spread from person to person, especially in group settings (schools, childcare centers, slumber parties, etc.), through head-to-head contact, sharing clothes, bed linens, combs, brushes and hats (FYI: Lice are not spread through pets). Lice can't jump or fly, they have specially adapted claws that allow them to crawl and cling firmly to hair. They lay eggs (nits) on hair shafts close to the scalp, where the temperature is perfect for keeping them warm until they hatch in 1-2 weeks. Early treatment is extremely important to prevent further spreading. Over-the-counter medications or prescription medications are available to kill Lice. These medications are insecticides and it is crutial to follow the directions as indicated on the product label to ensure a successful treatment and to avoid the risk of causing harm. After treatment, you must comb out the eggs (nits) using a fine-tooth comb (usually comes with the product, but can be bought seperatly at a drug store). Seperate hairs into sections and comb one section at a time (works best on wet hair). Repeat complete treatment in 7-10 days to kill any new hatched nits. If your child is under 2 years of age, you should not use medicated treatments. You will need to remove nits and lice by hand, be patient, this can be very time-consuming. Purchase the fine-tooth comb, wet and condition hair, seperate into sections, comb one section at a time. Repeat every 2-3 days for 2 weeks. In addition, wash all bed linens and clothing that has recently been used by anyone in your home who's infested, in very hot water and dry on high for at least 20 minutes (Anything that can't be washed should be dry cleaned). Vacuum carpets & upholstered furniture in your home & car (Medicated spray is available, but use with caution, especially around small children). Soak hair-care items (comb, brush, hair ties, band, etc... in medicated shampoo or very hot water for at least 30 minutes or just throw them away & purchase new ones. Since Lice are easily passed from person-to-person in the same house, it is highly recommended to treat all family members to prevent re-infestation (Call your doctor is problems persist after treatment). It is also important to talk to your kids about Lice & how they are spread (School nurses can provide information as well). Emphasize that although having Lice can certainly be very embarrassing for them, anyone can get them and that they are not a sign of uncleanliness or poor hygiene. Kids need to understand that they have not done anything wrong and reassure them that as aggravating as getting rid of these annoying insects can be, there is light at the end of the tunnel.