ANYONE can become infested with head lice, rich or poor, dirty or clean.

Lice are small, grayish-white, wingless bugs (about the size of tiny ants). They cannot fly, and they do not jump, but they do move very quickly. They lay oval, whitish-silvery eggs called nits.

Nits are whitish eggs that are attached to a hair shaft with a cement-like substance located close to the scalp. They are not to be confused with dandruff, hair casts (debris) or hair spray droplets which are flaky. Nits are attached to a single shaft of hair and will not come off like dandruff. Nits are the most common sign of lice found during screening.

Intense itching caused by feeding of the lice is the other major symptom of lice infestation.

Lice and their nits are usually found in the hairy surface of the scalp, behind the ears and at the back (nape) of the neck, though they may be found on other areas of the scalp.

Once lice infestation starts, it can spread quickly. Prompt action requires ridding yourself of this tormenting pest. Be sure to check all family members, especially those who sleep with the infested child.

Lice and their nits can survive, for a time, off the human host. It is very important that infested persons and their personal articles that may be infested are treated promptly.

TREATMENT

1.  Several shampoos and a prescription cream rinse to kill lice are on the market.  Some can be bought over-the-counter at your local drugstore, (ask the pharmacist for name brands) but others require a prescription.

3.  Shampoo hair and scalp with lice treatment product according to doctor's instructions, label instructions or use the lice treatment cream rinse according to the directions.

4.  Put on freshly cleaned clothes.  Use clean towels and bed linens.

5.  Comb hair well with fine toothcomb.  Rinse the comb after each area of hair is combed.  Nit combs usually are supplied with the shampoo or rinse.  Removing nits manually (pulling them out with fingernails) is the best option for removal, especially when treatment products have failed.  Be sure to wash under fingernails after nit removal.

6.  The U.S. Government's Public Health Service recommends a second shampoo (with the medicated shampoo) in 7-10 days to kill any (live) nits that were not killed with the first treatment.  Do not treat more than twice in one week.  Do not shampoo or put other products on hair between treatments, and do not use regular shampoos containing conditioners.

7.  Machine-wash all washable clothing, hats, coats, etc. and bed linens, towels that were in contact with anyone infested in the last 3 days. Wash using very hot soapy water, dry and/or hot setting.  You may also dry articles for at least 20 minutes on high setting of clothes dryer for those articles that cannot be washed.

8.  Personal articles of clothing or bedding, including stuffed animals, that cannot be washed or dried may be dry-cleaned or left in a plastic bag and sealed for 7-14 days.

10.  Mattresses, blankets, pillows, rugs, upholstered furniture and car seats need to be treated.  Vacuuming these articles will work.  Lysol, Clorox or other such cleaners do not affect the head lice or nits.

To prevent the spread of head lice, persons should not share articles that come in contact with the head, neck or shoulders such as combs, brushes, hats, coats, towels, scarves, etc.

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