Your Family & Head Lice Improving your management skills through education.

Lice and Nits Away from the host, adult head lice can survive only about 2 days (48 hours). Home or schools don’t get head lice – People do. Head lice are human parasites and require human blood to survive. Nits will remain alive away from the host for upto 10 days; However they will not hatch at or below room temperature (20 degrees Celsius). Nits off the head will be attached to a hair, unless they were manually removed from the hair during a comb through check.

Away from the host, adult head lice can survive only about 2 days (48 hours).

Home or schools don’t get head lice – People do. Head lice are human parasites and require human blood to survive.

Nits will remain alive away from the host for upto 10 days; However they will not hatch at or below room temperature (20 degrees Celsius).

Nits off the head will be attached to a hair, unless they were manually removed from the hair during a comb through check.

Steps To Staying Ahead of Lice Watch for signs of head lice, such as frequent head scratching. Understand that anyone can get head lice. Check all family members for lice and nits (lice eggs) at least once a week.

Watch for signs of head lice, such as frequent head scratching.

Understand that anyone can get head lice.

Check all family members for lice and nits (lice eggs) at least once a week.

What Am I Looking For? Lice are reddish-brown wingless insects, the size of a sesame seed. Nits are grayish-white, always oval-shaped, and are glued at an angle to the side of the hair shaft, and are about the size of a poppy seed. They cannot be washed out or flicked away.

Lice are reddish-brown wingless insects, the size of a sesame seed.

Nits are grayish-white, always oval-shaped, and are glued at an angle to the side of the hair shaft, and are about the size of a poppy seed. They cannot be washed out or flicked away.

Performing a Thorough Head Check Be sure to check the hair in a well-lit area (bright, natural light is best). For longer or thicker hair it is important to separate the hair into sections and secure with hair clips while working on small areas at a time. Part the hair and closely examine the scalp, especially the nape of the neck and behind the ears. Newly laid eggs are almost transparent. It is helpful to examine the head from different angles. This is easily achieved by moving around the child while examining. You may also see lice quickly moving away from the sunlight.

Be sure to check the hair in a well-lit area (bright, natural light is best).

For longer or thicker hair it is important to separate the hair into sections and secure with hair clips while working on small areas at a time.

Part the hair and closely examine the scalp, especially the nape of the neck and behind the ears.

Newly laid eggs are almost transparent. It is helpful to examine the head from different angles. This is easily achieved by moving around the child while examining. You may also see lice quickly moving away from the sunlight.

We Have Lice!!! What Do I Do? Stay calm - you will be okay! Provide treatment only for the person(s) who have live lice present. Clean your environment. Notify your child’s school, camp, childcare provider, neighborhood parents and coaches.

Stay calm - you will be okay!

Provide treatment only for the person(s) who have live lice present.

Clean your environment.

Notify your child’s school, camp, childcare provider, neighborhood parents and coaches.

Treatment Options Consult your pharmacist before applying or using lice treatment pesticides. Some options are: Nix Cream rinse, Kwellada P, R & C Shampoo, Resultz, Robicomb, wet comb through with manual removal. Remember, most traditional lice-killing products are pesticides. Follow package directions carefully. Use the product over the sink, not in the tub or shower. Always keep the eyes covered.

Consult your pharmacist before applying or using lice treatment pesticides.

Some options are: Nix Cream rinse, Kwellada P, R & C Shampoo, Resultz, Robicomb, wet comb through with manual removal.

Remember, most traditional lice-killing products are pesticides.

Follow package directions carefully. Use the product over the sink, not in the tub or shower. Always keep the eyes covered.

Treatment Options The medicated shampoos and conditioners available should kill all of the lice, however, they do not necessarily kill all of the nits (eggs). This is why nit removal and re-treatment in 7 to 10 days in critical. After the first treatment is done, continue to do a thorough comb through each day to remove nits. REMOVE ALL NITS. This assures total lice treatment. Separate hair in sections and remove all attached nits with a nit comb or your fingernails.

The medicated shampoos and conditioners available should kill all of the lice, however, they do not necessarily kill all of the nits (eggs). This is why nit removal and re-treatment in 7 to 10 days in critical.

After the first treatment is done, continue to do a thorough comb through each day to remove nits.

REMOVE ALL NITS. This assures total lice treatment. Separate hair in sections and remove all attached nits with a nit comb or your fingernails.

Treatment Options To remove lice and nits by hand, use a fine-tooth comb on your child’s wet, conditioned hair. Have a spray bottle handy to re-wet the hair as needed. All nits removed from the hair should be placed in a plastic bag and carefully disposed of. Lice should be squished before placing in the bags to be sure they are dead .

To remove lice and nits by hand, use a fine-tooth comb on your child’s wet, conditioned hair. Have a spray bottle handy to re-wet the hair as needed.

All nits removed from the hair should be placed in a plastic bag and carefully disposed of. Lice should be squished before placing in the bags to be sure they are dead .

The Life Cycle The life cycle of the head louse has three stages: nit, nymph, and adult. The life cycle of a single louse from egg to death is about 1 month. Nits: Head lice eggs are called nits. Nits are laid by the adult female louse and are attached to the base of the hair shaft by strong cement. They are located close to the scalp because they require body heat for incubation. Nymphs: When an egg hatches, it releases a nymph. The nit shell stays attached to the hair and turns a dull yellow color. The nymph looks like an adult louse but is smaller, and cannot yet lay eggs (nits). Adult: The adult louse feeds about 5 times a day. After a feeding their color changes to a rust color. Head lice hold onto the hair with hook-like claws found at the end of each of their 6 legs. Adult lice are active and can travel quickly. Egg laid on hair shaft Louse hatches after 7 days (called a nymph) The nymph stage lasts about 8-9 days (smaller versions of the adult - CANNOT lay eggs) Female (slightly larger) and Male lice begin to reproduce Female lays first eggs 2 days after mating. 6 to 8 eggs are laid for the next 16 days. Adult louse dies 33 - 35 days after being laid as an egg THIS IS WHY RETREATING IN 7 to 10 DAYS IS CRITICAL!

The life cycle of the head louse has three stages: nit, nymph, and adult. The life cycle of a single louse from egg to death is about 1 month.

Nits: Head lice eggs are called nits. Nits are laid by the adult female louse and are attached to the base of the hair shaft by strong cement. They are located close to the scalp because they require body heat for incubation.

Nymphs: When an egg hatches, it releases a nymph. The nit shell stays attached to the hair and turns a dull yellow color. The nymph looks like an adult louse but is smaller, and cannot yet lay eggs (nits).

Adult: The adult louse feeds about 5 times a day. After a feeding their color changes to a rust color. Head lice hold onto the hair with hook-like claws found at the end of each of their 6 legs. Adult lice are active and can travel quickly.

Egg laid on hair shaft

Louse hatches after 7 days (called a nymph)

The nymph stage lasts about 8-9 days (smaller versions of the adult - CANNOT lay eggs)

Female (slightly larger) and Male lice begin to reproduce

Female lays first eggs 2 days after mating. 6 to 8 eggs are laid for the next 16 days.

Adult louse dies 33 - 35 days after being laid as an egg

THIS IS WHY RETREATING IN 7 to 10 DAYS IS CRITICAL!

Cleaning Your Home Wash bedding and recently worn clothing in hot water and dry in a hot dryer. Combs, brushes and hair care items may be soaked in hot water (66 degrees Celsius) for 10 minutes.

Wash bedding and recently worn clothing in hot water and dry in a hot dryer.

Combs, brushes and hair care items may be soaked in hot water (66 degrees Celsius) for 10 minutes.

Cleaning Your Home THOROUGH VACUUMING is the safest and best way to remove lice and fallen hairs with attached nits from upholstered furniture, mattresses, rugs, stuffed animals or car seats

THOROUGH VACUUMING is the safest and best way to remove lice and fallen hairs with attached nits from upholstered furniture, mattresses, rugs, stuffed animals or car seats

Cleaning Your Home AVOID HOUSEHOLD LICE SPRAYS! They are ineffective and dangerous. Vacuuming is the safest and best way to remove lice or fallen hairs with attached nits from upholstered furniture, rugs, stuffed animals, car seats and mattresses.

AVOID HOUSEHOLD LICE SPRAYS! They are ineffective and dangerous.

Vacuuming is the safest and best way to remove lice or fallen hairs with attached nits from upholstered furniture, rugs, stuffed animals, car seats and mattresses.

Cleaning Your Home Non-washable personal articles of clothing or bedding may be: placed in the dryer on high heat for at least 20 to 30 minutes dry-cleaned sealed in plastic bags for a minimum of 10 to 14 days.

Non-washable personal articles of clothing or bedding may be:

placed in the dryer on high heat for at least 20 to 30 minutes

dry-cleaned

sealed in plastic bags for a minimum of 10 to 14 days.

Myths Some parents claim mayonnaise, white vinegar, or tea tree oil are effective natural remedies for head lice. Mayonnaise is said to smother lice if it’s applied thickly and kept on overnight under a shower cap. Vinegar is rumored to dissolve the glue that keeps nits stuck to the hair. While there is no scientific evidence to support these home remedies, pediatricians say there’s no harm in trying them.

Some parents claim mayonnaise, white vinegar, or tea tree oil are effective natural remedies for head lice. Mayonnaise is said to smother lice if it’s applied thickly and kept on overnight under a shower cap. Vinegar is rumored to dissolve the glue that keeps nits stuck to the hair. While there is no scientific evidence to support these home remedies, pediatricians say there’s no harm in trying them.

Myths Head lice are not a curse of the lower classes, nor a sign of poor hygiene. They affect children across all levels of income, social class, and cleanliness. The bugs can survive underwater for up to six hours, so kids who bathe regularly are just as vulnerable. The good news is lice are not carriers of any disease. Be sure that your children know that lice prefer clean hair. If you happen to get them, be reassuring to your child, and never make them feel that it is their fault. If your child is upset, remind them that having lice is nothing to be embarrassed about and that anyone can get them.

Head lice are not a curse of the lower classes, nor a sign of poor hygiene. They affect children across all levels of income, social class, and cleanliness. The bugs can survive underwater for up to six hours, so kids who bathe regularly are just as vulnerable. The good news is lice are not carriers of any disease.

Be sure that your children know that lice prefer clean hair. If you happen to get them, be reassuring to your child, and never make them feel that it is their fault. If your child is upset, remind them that having lice is nothing to be embarrassed about and that anyone can get them.

School Head Checks If lice are discovered on your child at school, he or she may be sent home for prompt treatment. After treatment, dead eggs may remain in a child’s hair until they are removed. Some schools have a “no nits” policy, meaning the eggs must be removed before the child returns to class. The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages this policy. Most health care providers recommend children return to school after their first treatment.

If lice are discovered on your child at school, he or she may be sent home for prompt treatment. After treatment, dead eggs may remain in a child’s hair until they are removed. Some schools have a “no nits” policy, meaning the eggs must be removed before the child returns to class. The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages this policy. Most health care providers recommend children return to school after their first treatment.

Treatment Failure What Went Wrong!?! If the product fails, do not switch to other over-the-counter treatment or use any prescription products as a “last resort”. This can be potentially harmful. MANUAL REMOVAL IS THE SAFEST ALTERNATIVE and a necessary component to any head lice treatment regimen.

If the product fails, do not switch to other over-the-counter treatment or use any prescription products as a “last resort”. This can be potentially harmful.

MANUAL REMOVAL IS THE SAFEST ALTERNATIVE and a necessary component to any head lice treatment regimen.

Look For Help When Needed As many parents know firsthand, lice can be a persistent nuisance, especially in group settings. If you feel like you’re following every recommendation and your child still has lice, it may be because: there are still some nits left behind that survived the treatment used. your child is still being exposed to someone with lice the treatment you’re using isn’t effective

As many parents know firsthand, lice can be a persistent nuisance, especially in group settings. If you feel like you’re following every recommendation and your child still has lice, it may be because:

there are still some nits left behind that survived the treatment used.

your child is still being exposed to someone with lice

the treatment you’re using isn’t effective

Summing It Up Only treat active cases! Be persistent with NIT REMOVAL. Hot launder bedding, etc. Sanitize personal hair care items. VACUUM, VACUUM, VACUUM!!!

Only treat active cases!

Be persistent with NIT REMOVAL.

Hot launder bedding, etc.

Sanitize personal hair care items.

VACUUM, VACUUM, VACUUM!!!

Stephanie Hofer Pharmacist

Stephanie Hofer

Pharmacist