Healthy Living

 

 

 

 

 

Head Lice

 

Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp and feed on human blood. They lay eggs, called nits, which stick to strands of hair very close to the scalp. Live nits are very small, about one-third the size of a sesame seed, and very hard to see. Dead nits are found further down the hair shaft and look like dandruff, but they cannot be flicked off. Head lice are not a health hazard, and do not cause or spread disease.

How are head lice spread?

Head lice are commonly spread among children and adults who spend time close together in one place, such as in child care settings and schools. Head lice can also be spread by people sharing hats, combs, hairbrushes or headphones. Anyone can get head lice and having them doesn’t mean a person isn’t clean.

Symptoms of Head Lice

The most common symptom of head lice is constant scalp itching. Other symptoms include scratch marks or small red lesions like a rash. Sometimes children don’t have any symptoms, so to make sure they don’t, check their scalps thoroughly.
Remember that if one person in the family has head lice, there’s a good chance other family members do as well. For this reason check and treat all family members at the same time. This will ensure that all lice are dead and won’t spread.

How to Check for Head Lice

  • Apply conditioner to hair before checking for lice, it helps you to see them.
  • Have those who might have head lice sit down in a well lighted place.
  • Part the hair into small sections going from side to side with your fingers or a special head lice comb. Check the entire head close to the scalp.
  • Check behind the ears and at the bottom of the hairline just above the neck.
  • If no lice or nits are found, repeat the above procedure again in one week. Repeat again after two weeks if someone else in the family has head lice.

Treating Head Lice

Head lice will not go away without treatment, and treatment should be considered only if head lice or live nits are found. There are many different products and ways to treat head lice. If 1 treatment doesn’t work to get rid of head lice, then try a different treatment. If active, live lice are seen 24 to 48 hours after the 1st treatment, more treatment is recommended using a different product, followed by a 2nd treatment seven days later.


Treatments:


Chemical, non-prescription medications

Shampoos, creams and rinses that contain an ingredient that kills lice are available at most pharmacies without a prescription. Follow exactly the directions for use on the label.

After treatment comb the hair well with your fingers or a special head lice comb to remove all nits or eggs. These combs are often included with the medications, but if they aren’t, you can buy them in the drug store. It’s important to comb through the hair very well. Treatment may need to be repeated in 7 to 10 days and itching may last 7 to 10 days, even it the treatment works.


These medications should be kept out of the reach of young children and cannot be used for infants. Pregnant or nursing mothers should only use head lice medications following advice from their doctor.


Non-Chemical Treatments:


Wet-combing

this method removes live head lice. Wet-combing is cheap and safe but takes time to complete. The combing steps must be followed carefully and completely. Combing treatments are done using generous amounts of hair conditioner and a special lice comb, every 3 to4 days for a 2 week period. Any young lice that hatch from eggs after the first session are removed at the 2nd, 3rd and 4rth sessions. This is why it is important to do the full 4 sessions.

Children may return to school or daycare after their 1rst treatment. Children should receive their 1st treatment at home the 1st day that they are found to have head lice. If children return to class following the 1st treatment, they should be encouraged to avoid head-to-head or close contact with other students. It’s important not to share this information with too many people so that the child who has head lice isn’t embarrassed.

 

Treatment Methods Not Recommended:

Do not use the following because they are either not safe or do not work: insect sprays, motor oil, gasoline, alcohol, flea soap, dyes, bleaches, heat applied to the scalp, garlic, essential oils, and shaving the head.

What should be cleaned?

Head lice do not survive for long once they are off the scalp. Head lice can’t be passed to others through contact with furniture or carpets. There is no evidence that a major cleaning of the house or car is necessary.

Tips for Cleaning

  • Wash all dirty clothes, bedding, towels, brushes and combs in hot water on the day you start the treatment.
  • Place items that cannot be washed, like pillows or stuffed animals, in a plastic bag for ten days or in the freezer for 48 hours.
  • Children’s car seat may be vacuumed as a precaution.

For more information on head lice visit the website below:

BC Health Guide
http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile06.stm#E46E2

 

 

Source:
BC Health Guide
http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile06.stm#E46E2