Lice are human parasites that live off of human blood. They usually don't transmit disease. But just thinking about them can drive the calmest parent into a frenzy. Read on for more information about lice.
Lice are small insects that only live on humans and are found on the scalp and hair. The lice are grey, white, or black wingless insects about the size of a sesame seed. The eggs (nits) are usually attached to the shaft of the hair and look like dandruff, but are difficult to remove because of a gluey substance
that causes them to stick to the hair.
Each female louse produces up to a dozen nits daily. Nits hatch into lice within one to two weeks. Lice cannot live for more than 72 hours off of the human body. They are spread from one person to another by hats, combs, brushes, or simply by close contact with an infected person. ANYONE can get lice, even with perfect hygiene.
If your child does get lice, there are a variety of treatments available. Equally important is the mechanical removal of any left-over nits to prevent a reinfection from occurring. There are a few over-the-counter preparations, such as Nix, Clear 123, Rid, and A-200. Some lice may be resistant to these preparations. There is also treatment available by prescription called Elimite. It has more anti-lice medication than some of the over-the-counter medicines. Another successful technique is to smother the lice with Vaseline, olive oil, or mineral oil. These must be left on from 8 to 14 hours, along with wearing a shower cap to effectively destroy any nits or lice.
CHILDREN UNDER TWO MONTHS SHOULD NOT USE ELIMITE.
With all therapies, we encourage parents to follow the following steps in order to have the greatest likelihood of success. We also encourage families to treat all members of the family.
STEPS TO TREAT LICE
- Wash hair first with antigrease dishwashing liquid (such as Dawn) to remove excess oils and shampoo residue from the hair shaft.
- Rinse, do not use conditioner, and dry hair (Wet hair can cause the lice to grab onto the hair tighter and allow less medication to get to the lice and nits).
- If using Elimite or topical preparation such as Vaseline or oils, be sure to leave on head and hair for 8 to 14 hours. Wearing a shower cap over the preparation may increase effectiveness.
- Be sure to protect your child's eyes, nose, and mouth from the medication.
- After 8 to 14 hours, wash hair with antigrease dishwashing liquid again to remove preparations.
- *An additional medication to purchase is an over-the-counter nit removal creme rinse such as Clear
or Step Two. You may apply that preparation after the dishwashing liquid shampooing. - Remove lice and nits with a nit comb. *The key to the best success, whatever the treatment, is careful and thorough removal of the nits.
- Remove the tangles first.
- Divide the hair into four sections and clip back extra sections of the hair.
- Comb the hair backwards toward the scalp to loosen nits.
- The meticulously comb from scalp to end of hair, removing each louse and nit.
- Wipe the comb with a paper towel and water between sections.
We recommend that all therapies/medications be repeated in one week, including the nit comb process,
in order to kill any remaining hatching nits.One you've taken care of your children's hair, you need to take some environmental precautions:
- Wash bedding, towels, clothing, coats, pillows, and hats in hot water. Dry items on high heat for 20 minutes.
- **For those items that aren't machine washable such as stuffed animals, you may dry clean or
place in plastic bags for two weeks. - Don't forget to treat items that come into contact with the head and hair such as bike helmets,
car seats, head phones, hair clips, etc. - Wash brushes and combs in hot water.
The best treatment of all is PREVENTION. Teach kids not to share hats, combs, brushes, etc. with other kids. Teach kids to place hats and mittens in the sleeves of their coats away from others.
