- How will I know if my child has head lice?
Children may barely notice head lice, or have only a mild scalp
irritation. The most common symptoms include:
- Itching
- Small red bumps on scalp, neck and shoulders (lice bites)
- Infection, accompanied by swollen glands (less common)
Scratching the itch could lead to sores on the scalp or around
the neck and ears. Severe cases may cause swollen lymph glands.
Other signs may include eggs and, in some cases, live lice in the
hair, frequent head scratching, loss of sleep, shortened attention
span and depression.
back to top
- Will my whole family get lice too?
Not necessarily. If members of your family don't share personal
items, and if proper cleanup measures are taken, the infestation
shouldn't spread. But, it has been known to happen!
back to top
- Is there anything I can do to keep my family free of lice?
Even after an infested family member has been treated, for the
next 10 days, check them daily for eggs. If there is evidence of
new eggs or newly hatched lice, repeat the treatment.
Head checking should then become part of routine hygiene. A
family head lice check once a week is a great idea. You'll need an
egg removal comb, a magnifying glass and lots of light. Working
through a small section at a time, comb through each person's hair,
from the root down. If any live lice or eggs are found, begin
treatment immediately.
back to top
- How do I treat head lice?
If your child becomes infested, choose a safe and proven
pediculicide. Follow all the directions carefully.
In the past, treatment for
lice has been messy, uncomfortable or potentially harmful
pesticides. LiceFreee!® head lice treatments are changing all that.
Made from the naturally occurring mineral, sodium chloride, USP
(Latin: Natrum muriaticum).
Nits, or lice eggs, must be removed manually after the lice
treatment. Thoroughly combing out the hair until all lice and eggs
are gone will help prevent reinfestation. The female louse lays the
eggs at the base of the hair close to the scalp. They are very hard
to remove, so a special nit comb is recommended and should be used
after each application. A good comb-out conditioner is also a great
way to help ease egg removal. (Licefreee! includes a patented
stainless steel comb for effective removal of dead lice and their
nits.)
A follow up treatment should be done within 7-10 days to kill
any newly hatched lice that may have been missed in the initial
treatment.
back to top
- What is a "No-Nits" Policy?
A "No-Nits" Policy in schools helps control an infestation and
keeps children at home until all nits are removed. This policy is
just to make sure that a child has been treated, that all lice have
been killed, that all of their eggs or nits have been removed and
that there is no sign of a reinfestation.
back to top
- What about allergic reactions?
Treatments that are pyrethrum or permethrin based may trigger
reactions in those who are allergic to ragweed. Be sure to check
the ingredients or talk to a doctor or pharmacist before choosing a
treatment.
back to top
- I’ve used a pediculicide and we still have lice. Help!
There are several reasons lice may remain unaffected after
treatment. With any pediculicide, all lice and eggs must come in
full contact with the product. Lice can move quickly to avoid
contact with the lotion or gel. Reinfestation from environmental
contact (i.e. infested hats, pillows, stuffed animals, etc.) can
occur. Missing any eggs after combing out can trigger a
reinfestation.
back to top
- Aren’t there home remedies that will kill lice?
There are many home remedies out there that, for the most part,
simply don't work and can be dangerous. Gasoline or kerosene is
dangerous because of the possibility of ignition and inhalation of
fumes. Methods using tea tree oil, olive oil, petroleum jelly,
margarine or mayonnaise are messy, time-consuming and inconvenient.
Head shaving is unnecessary and would probably upset your child. As
for garden insecticide sprays, they are very dangerous for your
family, including your family pets.
back to top
- What should I do to avoid lice reinfestation?
Sources of possible infestation (bedding, furniture, hats,
clothing, combs and brushes) must be disinfected by laundering/dry
cleaning, or sometimes discarding entirely. Items that cannot be
run through the dryer (i.e stuffed animals and toys) can be placed
in a sealed plastic bag for 10-14 days, and hair care items should
be soaked in hot water for 15 minutes. A thorough vacuuming will
get rid of lice or egg shells that are left behind.
Teach your child to avoid sharing combs, hair accessories and
hats. If your child has been infested with head lice, report it to
their school immediately so other children attending will be less
likely to have an infestation themselves.
back to top
- Did you know these facts about head lice?
- Head lice are small and wingless, varying in size from 1/16" to
1/8" (about the size of a sesame seed).
- Eggs look like very small grains of rice and hatch in 7-10
days.
- Lice feed on blood every 3-6 hours. The primary symptom of
infestation is itching.
- Eggs are firmly attached to the hair shaft.
- Females can lay up to 10 eggs a day, over 100 in their
lifetime.
- If dislodged from the hair shaft and host, eggs die within 2
weeks.
- Off the scalp, adult head lice rarely survive beyond 36
hours.
- Head lice can infest anyone and prefer clean hair.
- Head lice are more of a nuisance than a health hazard.
- Head lice do not fly or jump. They are passed through direct
contact.
- You cannot give head lice to your pets or get it from your
pets.
- The National Pediculosis Association estimates that as many as
12 million cases of lice occur each year.
- Lice move quickly and shy away from light (such as during a
head check).
back to top