Head Lice

Scientifically known as Pediculus humanus capitus, just the sound makes you itch. They are sneaky and you probably won’t know you have them until a few weeks after they arrive. They are prolific breeders but almost never transmit disease. Social bounds do not exist, rich and poor alike can have this chronic problem. Having lice doesn’t mean you or your house is unclean.

Students in close quarters at school provide plenty of opportunity for head lice infestation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 6 to 12 million people worldwide contract head lice annually. Head lice are parasitic insects about the size of sesame seeds. They do not jump or fly, but crawl from host to host, often transmitted when combs, brushes, hats and other items are shared. Pre-school and elementary school children from ages 3 to 10 and their families get them most often with girls getting them more than boys.

Female lice lay eggs, called nits, on hair shafts. The nits are tightly cemented to the hair shafts and will not be removed by shampooing, they must be removed with a special comb called a nit comb.

Over the counter medications, such as Rid, Nix or Clear, contain pesticides which clear up most infestations. These products range in cost from $8.00 to $16.00. Recent reports have indicated that lice have some resistance to the insecticides in over the counter remedies. Resistant cases must be treated by a physician who can prescribe a stronger treatment.

Parents should follow package directions carefully and re-treat 5 to 10 days later to kill any lice that may have hatched since the original treatment. The first rule is safety. A report by the Harvard School of Public Health states " the greatest harm associated with head lice results from well-intentioned but misguided use of caustic or toxic substances to eliminate the lice,". Flammable and toxic substances should never be used and other home remedies have not proven to be effective.

Below are some questions and answers about head lice taken from the Centers for Disease Control, Division of Parasitic Diseases Fact Sheet

Where are head lice most commonly found?
On the scalp behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the neck.
Head lice hold on to hair with hook-like claws at the end of each of their six legs.
They are rarely found on the body, eyelashes or eyebrows.
What are the sign and symptoms of infestation?

Tickling, feeling of something moving in the hair.
Itching, caused by an allergic reaction to the bites.
Irritability.
Sores on the head caused by scratching. Sores sometimes become infected.

How are lice transmitted?

By contact with an infested person. Contact is common during play at school and at home (slumber parties, sports activities, at camp, on playgrounds).
By wearing infested clothing, such as hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms or hair ribbons.
By using infested combs, brushes or towels.
By lying on a bed, couch, pillow, carpet or stuffed animal that has recently been in contact with an infested person.

How should they be treated?

Use an over the counter or prescription medication and follow these steps:

Before applying, remove all clothes.
Apply according to label instructions. If your child has extra long hair, you may need to use a second bottle.
Do not use a cream rinse or combination shampoo/conditioner before using lice medicine. Do not rewash hair for one to two days after treatment.
Put on clean clothes after treatment.
If a few live lice are found 8 to 12 hours after the treatment but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining lice out of the hair. The medicine may take longer to kill some lice.
If, 8 to 12 hours after treatment, no dead lice are found and lice seem as active as before, the medicine may not be working. See your health care provider for a different medication; follow treatment directions.
Use a nit comb to comb nits and lice from hair shafts. Check hair and comb every 2 to 3 days. Continue to check for 2 to 3 weeks.
If using over the counter medication, re-treat in 7 to 10 days.

How should the rest of the household be treated?

Machine wash all washable clothing and bed linens that the infested person touched during the 2 days before treatment. Use hot water cycle (130 degrees). Dry using high heat for at least 20 minutes.
Dry-clean clothing that is not washable.
Store clothing, stuffed animals, comforters, etc., that cannot be washed or dry-cleaned in plastic bags; keep sealed for 2 weeks.
Soak combs and brushes for 1 hour in rubbing alcohol or Lysol, or wash with soap and hot water.
Vacuum the floor and furniture.
Do not use fumigant sprays. They can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

Should pets be treated?

No. Head lice do not live on pets.

For more information check out the website for the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov.