What are Lice?
Lice are tiny, wingless parasites that feed on blood. There are three main types of lice that infest humans:
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Head lice – These lice attach themselves to hair shafts on the head and feed on blood from the scalp. Head lice are the most common type of lice infestation.
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Body lice – These lice attach to clothing and bedding and only go onto the skin to feed. They are less common than head lice.
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Pubic lice – These lice, also known as crabs, infest the pubic hair and other coarse hair on the body. They are spread through sexual contact.
Lice cannot fly or jump – they crawl from host to host. They spread quickly through close personal contact and by sharing personal items like hats, helmets, hairbrushes, towels, and bedding. Anyone can get lice, but children ages 3-11 are most commonly infested.
Signs of a Lice Infestation
Watch for these common signs that may indicate the presence of lice:
- Itching on the head, neck, or pubic region
- Small red bumps on scalp, neck, shoulders, or thighs
- Tickling feeling that something is moving in the hair
- Irritability and difficulty sleeping
- Lice or eggs (nits) visible on the hair shafts
- Scratch marks or sores on the head or neck caused by itching
Head lice often first appear behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the head. Pubic lice may be noticed in the pubic area, eyelashes, armpits, mustache, beard, chest, or thighs.
Finding a live louse on the head or in clothing is a sure sign of infestation. Nits (lice eggs) may appear as tiny yellow, tan, or brown dots glued to hair shafts.
Treating Lice at Home
With vigilance and proper treatment, lice can be eradicated from the home. Follow these tips:
Use an Over-The-Counter Medicated Shampoo
- Products like Nix and Rid contain chemicals like permethrin or pyrethrins that kill live lice.
- Apply the product to dry hair until fully saturated. Leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing out.
- Comb out dead lice and eggs with a nit comb. Repeat if needed in 7-10 days.
Comb and Pick Out Nits
- Use a fine-toothed nit comb to mechanically remove nits. Comb small sections at a time.
- Wipe the comb on a paper towel to check for lice and nits. Dip comb in hot water to remove debris.
- Pinpoint and pull out remaining nits using fingernails or tweezers.
Clean Personal Items and Bedding
- Machine wash all clothing, bed linens, and towels in hot water. Items may also be dry cleaned or sealed in a plastic bag for 2 weeks.
- Combs, brushes, hair ties and accessories should be soaked in rubbing alcohol or Lysol solution for 1 hour, then washed in hot soapy water.
- Vacuum carpets, furniture, mattresses, and car seats thoroughly. Discard the vacuum bag.
Use Essential Oils
- Oils like tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus may help repel and kill lice when applied to dry hair. Leave on overnight and comb out nits in the morning.
- Take care not to overuse oils on young children. Test skin for sensitivity first.
Preventing Lice at School
Lice outbreaks often start among schoolchildren. Schools should take measures to prevent lice spread:
Enforce No-Nit Policies
- Students should be sent home at the first sign of nits or lice. They can return after treatment and removal of all nits.
- No-nit policies prevent re-infestation of other children. Exceptions may be made case-by-case.
Educate Families
- Provide parents with educational resources on treating and preventing lice at home.
- Maintain sensitivity – lice infestations do not mean a family is unclean. Anyone can get lice.
Limit Head-to-Head Contact
- Advise children not to share hats, helmets, hair accessories, combs, towels, etc.
- Discourage activities like hugging or leaning heads together.
Check Classrooms
- Periodic lice checks by school nurses can identify cases early. Obtain parental consent first.
- Bag belongings of infested children to take home for cleaning.
Disinfect Shared Spaces
- Focus cleaning on high touch areas like play areas, restrooms, water fountains, and libraries.
- Use disinfectant wipes on toys, play equipment, furniture, and electronics.
Staying vigilant both at home and school is the best way to prevent lice outbreaks and keep children lice-free!
