HEAD LICE - Fact Sheet
What are head lice?
Head lice are parasites - very small bugs. They live on the head and the hair of the head. Sometimes you find them in eyebrows, eyelashes, and beard.
Head lice are most commonly found in young, school age children. But anyone can get head lice - it does not matter whether a person is young or old, dirty or clean, rich or poor.
Adult head lice are hard to see. They are gray or brown in color and about 1/8 inch long. But their eggs, called nits, are easier to find. Nits are off-white in color and about the size and shape of the head of a straight pin. The nits may at first look to you like dandruff, but you will find that the nits are very firmly stuck to the strands of hair. Nits will not flake off or wash off like dandruff.
Head lice live for about 1 month. They multiply very quickly. Adult female lice lay up to 6 nits a day. These nits will hatch in 7 to 10 days. And about 8 to 14 days later they will be mature and laying more eggs. Head lice can live away from the human body and on other things for a time - lice up to 2 days and nits up to 10 days.
How do you get head lice?
You can get head lice by -
 | direct contact with a person with head lice - head touching head |
| sharing things with a person who has head lice - things like combs, brushes, hats, head bands, scarfs, barrettes, hair ribbons. Children should be warned not to share these things. |
| using things a person with head lice |
- has used; like upholstered furniture, car seats, bus seats, theater seats, pillows, towels, coats, sweaters, wigs. Head lice can also be spread in shared lockers and coat racks if you put your clothes onto those of someone who has head lice.
- has lain on; like rugs, bed, cot, sleeping bag, gym mat
- has played with; like stuffed toys, art smocks, "dress up" clothes
Head lice do not jump or fly.
Head lice do not come from or live on animals. Your pets do not need to be treated during a head lice outbreak.
How do you know if you have head lice?
These are some things to look for -
| itching of the head |
| scratches, bite marks, or rash on the head or neck. Sometimes these scratches get infected. |
| nits on the hair strands. It may help you see the nits if you have good lighting and use a magnifying glass. Nits may be found throughout the hair but are more often at the back of the head and behind the ears. |
| sometimes swollen glands in the neck and under the arms |
How do you get rid of head lice?
As soon as you find head lice, you should treat them because they spread so quickly. If one person in a family, school, or group has head lice, there is a good chance that others will have it too. So everyone should be checked, and all those who have head lice should be treated at the same time. Treatment means -
| shampooing |
| and removing all nits |
| and cleaning things the person with head lice has used or worn |
Shampooing
There are a number of medicated shampoos that can be used to get rid of head lice. Permethrin-based shampoos are best. Some of these shampoos you can get over the counter (just tell the pharmacist what you need), and some must be ordered by a doctor. You must use one of these special head lice shampoos. Washing with regular shampoo will not get rid of head lice. Before using any of these head lice shampoos, read all the directions and follow them exactly.
Removing all nits
This will take time but you must do it if you want to get rid of the head lice. Just shampooing is not enough, as it will not kill or remove all the nits. You can do nit removal with a special nit comb - the metal combs are best - or with your fingers. Nit combing is easier if the hair is dry or slightly damp. Work in a well lit area and work through a small section of hair at a time so you don't miss any nits.
After the shampooing and nit removal, check the person's head every day for at least 10 days. If there are more signs of head lice or nits, you will have to treat again. Shampooing itself may cause itching, so do not treat again for itchiness alone - treat only if you see nits.
Cleaning
Clean everything that has been in contact with the head and neck of the person with head lice. These things may have lice or nits on them. If you don't clean them well, you will just get head lice again.
| combs, brushes, barrettes. Clean with any remaining medicated shampoo or wash them in a strong disinfectant. Follow directions on the containers. |
| washable things like clothes, jackets, sweaters, scarves, hats, headbands, sheets, pillows, pillow cases, towels, wash cloths. Wash in hot water and dry in a hot dryer. |
| clothes and other materials that cannot be washed. Bag them up and take them to the dry cleaners. |
| upholstered furniture, car and bus seats, pillows, mattresses, box springs, rugs, floors, stuffed animals. Vacuum well. With furniture, vacuum cushions then take them off the chair and vacuum in all the corners and folds. Dispose of vacuum bags after use. |
| smaller, non-washable things - like stuffed toys and pillows. Store in a tightly sealed plastic bag for 10 days. |
| metal, plastic, and other washable surfaces - like lockers, desks, gym mats, bed and cot frames. Wash with a bleach and water solution. Mix 1 tablespoon of chlorine bleach with 1 gallon of water. |
There is no need to have your home or school fumigated for head lice. In fact, spraying or fumigating has been found in some cases to be harmful to small children and pets. Head lice do not infest an area like fleas do. Careful cleaning and vacuuming of the area is all that is needed.
Head lice and school or day care
If you find head lice or nits on your child, tell the school or day care right away. Don't be embarrassed. Remember, head lice can happen to anyone. The important thing is to tell the right people so steps can be taken to stop the spread of head lice. Other children in the school or day care may also have head lice. And everyone who has head lice will have to be treated, or the children will just keep reinfesting each other.
Also tell the parents of the children your child plays with. These playmates should also be checked for head lice.
The child with head lice and nits is kept out of school until properly treated for head lice. This is done because head lice can spread so quickly. When your child has been treated and you are ready to bring the child back to school, call your school nurse. The school nurse will check your child's head before putting the child back in the classroom. Clinton County Public Schools have a no-nit policy - meaning your child cannot come back to school until all nits are gone from the hair.
Have questions?
Call the Clinton County Health Department at 937-382-7221