Head Lice Awareness

Head lice are commonly spread by direct head-to-head (hair-to-hair) contact. However, they can also be spread by sharing clothing such as hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms, hair ribbons or barrettes, combs, brushes or towels. Head lice survive for less than 1-2 days if they fall off a person. If lice are found on the head they can live for up to 30 days on a person's head. An adult, female lice can lay up to 8 nits (eggs) per day. 

It is important to be mindful and check your child/children's hair at least every 2-3 days. Pick a couple days a week that you take a few minutes to check your child's hair/head. Choose an area with good lighting. If your child has long hair, section off part of the hair to check. If you are having trouble seeing them you can take a white piece of paper and put under your child's hair and comb the hair out over the paper. If live lice are present it will make it easier to see them on the paper. Typically, the lice like to live close to the scalp and behind the ears and nape of the neck. This does not mean they cannot be found elsewhere on the head. Check all of hair. 

Signs and Symptoms that lice may be present:

• Tickling feeling or feeling that something is moving in their hair
• Itching, which is caused by an allergic reaction to the bites of the head lice
• Irritability and difficult sleeping, as head lice are most active in the dark
• Sores on the head caused by itching

Remember:

• Lice cannot jump or fly. They crawl and can fall off the head.
• They do not live longer than 48 hours off the head.
• Head lice are insects that live on human heads only. They do not spread to or from pets.

If you find that your child does have active head lice, here is what you should do:

1. Treat only the child that has active lice with a lice treatment product. DON'T treat everyone in the family. Lice treatments are not 100% effective in killing the live lice. The product will not kill eggs (nits) that are on the hair. It will not prevent/shield hair that does not have active lice. Warning: Do not use a crème rinse, combination shampoo/conditioner or conditioner BEFORE using lice medication. After washing out the lice medication, DO NOT re-wash the hair for 1-2 days after the lice medicine is removed.
2. Removing all the nits (nitpicking) is the MOST IMPORTANT part of the treatment for controlling head lice. The nits are glued onto the hair shaft and require effort to remove. All nits need to be removed. If not, your child may get an active case of head lice again. A lice comb will come with the lice treatment kit but you may want to invest in a better comb such as a LiceMeister comb.
3. Do not lie on beds, couches, pillows, carpets or stuffed animals that have been recently in contact with an infested person.
4. Machine wash and dry clothing, bed linen, and other items that an infested person worked with or used during the 2nd day before treatment using a hot water laundry cycle and the high heat drying cycle. Clothing and items that can't be washed can be sealed in a plastic bag for 2 weeks.
5. Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay. However, spending as much time and money on housecleaning activities is not necessary to avoid reinfestation by lice or nits that may have fallen off the head or crawled onto furniture or clothing.
6. Do not use fumigant sprays or fogs; they are not necessary to control head lice and can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

More Treatment Information

Questions and Answers About Lice

1. What are head lice?
   Head lice are insects that live and feed on the human scalp and lay between 50-90 eggs by attaching them firmly with a glue like substance to the hair shaft. The adult is about the size of a sesame seed and is brown to reddish brown. They move quickly away from light but cannot fly (they have no wings) or jump. Lice die within 24 hours off the head. The eggs hatch in seven days and grow to adulthood in about 2 weeks. They are most commonly found around the ears and along the neckline at the back of the head.
2. Where do lice come from?
   Head lice are insects that date back many centuries. They do not carry disease.
3. How does a person get head lice?
   Lice can be spread during direct hair-to-hair contact with a person who has lice. Sharing pillows, brushes, combs, hats or clothes recently used by someone with head lice can also spread lice. Pets do not spread head lice. It is estimated that 95% of cases are spread through person-to-person contact while only 5% comes from indirect contact.
4. What are the symptoms of head lice?
   Often, the first sign is itching at the back of the head and around the ears. Not everyone will experience itching. If you notice your child repeatedly scratching his or her head, you should examine the head for nits or bugs. Also, irritability and difficulty sleeping can be signs of head lice as they are most active in the dark. Sores on the head caused by scratching can also be a sign and symptom of head lice, which can lead to infections from bacteria on the skin.
5. How long does it take for a person to develop symptoms?
   It can take up to 2-3 weeks for symptoms to appear. Some people may never develop symptoms.
6. Should I treat everyone in the family when my child has lice?
   No. If you are using a lice shampoo, treat only those persons with confirmed live head lice or nits within 1/4 inch of the scalp. All household members should be examined when an infestation has been identified and all affected members should be treated.
7. What is the best way to get rid of lice?
   If your child is identified as having lice, choose a safe and proven lice-killing shampoo. Follow the package directions very carefully. Slowly comb through very small sections of hair with a nit­removing comb. Remove any remaining nits. It is not necessary to cut the child's hair. Follow the Iowa Department of Public Health 14-Day Treatment Plan.
8. Do lice shampoos kill the insects and their eggs?
   These products may kill some of the bugs, but do not kill nits (eggs).
9. Can I use pet shampoo?
   Animal treatments are not safe or effective.
10. Do mayonnaise, oil, lotions, creams, vinegar, kerosene, gasoline, or electronic combs really work in treating this problem?
    Some people think these methods are effective in removing nits or bugs, but there is no current scientific evidence to support these practices.
11. What will prevent my child from getting lice?
    You cannot completely prevent your child from being affected by lice. You CAN instruct your child to avoid sharing personal items with others. Check your child's head periodically for signs of lice.
12. Should I disinfect/clean the inside of my home?
    It is not necessary to spend a lot of time or money on cleaning your home. A simple cleaning of the home including vacuuming the floor and furniture and machine washing clothing and bed linens is generally all that is needed. For items that are not machine washable or able to be dry-cleaned, placing them in a sealed plastic bag for 2 weeks is sufficient. Items such as combs and brushes should be soaked in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. Caution is advised when using lice killing sprays as they can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin. 

IDPH Head Lice Brochure

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