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Head
lice can be a persistent and frustrating problem. New research,
however, shows that head lice management can be straightforward
and less time-consuming. It is essential to:
- give 2
treatments 7-10 days apart, and
- inform
all close contacts so that cases can be identified and treated
at the same time.
Head
lice do not spread disease. Anyone can get them. They crawl from
person to person by direct head-to-head contact. They are more common
in children, as their heads frequently touch when they work and
play together. Symptoms of head lice are mild; itching is the main
complaint. Parents should check their children's hair weekly
for head lice - more often if there is an outbreak.
What
to Look For
Lice
are small, flat insects that live on the human scalp. They have
no wings and cannot jump or fly. They are about the size of a sesame
seed, greyish brown in colour and hard to see. It is easier to find
their eggs (nits) since they are glued to the hair shafts and do
not move.
Nits
are very tiny - the size of a grain of sand - and oval in shape.
Live nits, which are laid right next to the scalp, are tan to brown
in colour, and are very difficult to see. White nits more than 1
cm from the scalp have likely hatched or died. They may look like
dandruff but they cannot be flicked off.
Check
carefully for nits by looking close to the scalp behind the ears
and at the base of the neck. Use a bright light and a magnifying
glass, if available. Act quickly if you find them. Children with
head lice should not attend a school or child-care facility until
their head lice have been treated.
How
to Get Rid of Head Lice
Once
discovered, head lice can be treated easily by following these steps:
- Check
all close contacts: If one person in the family has head
lice, it is possible that other family members will also have
them. Tell the school, day care and children's groups (ie. sports
clubs, Cubs, etc) so parents can be notified to check their
children's hair. An untreated source among close contacts is
a common reason for getting head lice again. It is important
that all individuals who have head lice be treated at the same
time.
- Talk
to Your Pharmacist: Your pharmacist can help you choose
a product that will kill head lice. It is important to read
the list of ingredients and the directions very carefully. Consult
your doctor if the person being treated is allergic to any of
the ingredients, is pregnant or breastfeeding, is under 2 years
of age or has open sores on the scalp. The following products
have been proven to be safe and effective when used as directed:
Nix, R&C, Kwellada, and PMS-Lindane. There are currently
no published research studies showing the success or safety
of alternative head lice treatments such as tea tree oil or
Vaseline. The use of these and other alternative treatments
is not recommended.
- Give
2 Treatments 7-10 Days Apart: Research has shown that the
first treatment will kill head lice but not all of the eggs.
These eggs can continue to hatch over the next week. All products
must be used again in 7-10 days. This will kill the newly hatched
lice before they are able to move from head to head and reproduce.
If you find head lice moving in the hair 24-48 hours after the
first treatment, use a different head lice product immediately.
Repeat this treatment 7-10 days later.
Important
Points About Using Head Lice Products
Use
only when lice or nits are present. These products do not prevent
lice.
Timing
is important; if you rinse the product off too soon, lice and nits
may not be killed. If left too long, there is unnecessary exposure
to chemicals.
Limit
skin exposure. Wear rubber gloves. Rinse the hair under a tap instead
of the shower. Cover the face with a towel during treatment. Store
head lice products away from children.
Nit
Removal
Nit
removal is not necessary when using two treatments 7-10 days apart.
Students may return to school or child care facility after the first
treatment, even if nits still remain in the hair. However, removing
the nits after treatment may avoid confusion at a later head lice
check and will prevent over-treatment. It is also important for
appearance sake.
Short
sessions of nit removal over several days may be easier than one
long session. Work with small sections of the hair using a bright
light. With a fine-toothed nit comb or your fingernails, pull the
nits from the hair strands starting from the roots right down to
the tips. Wipe the nits onto a tissue, and place in a bag for disposal.
Cleaning
Personal Items
Head
lice and their nits do not survive away from the warmth and humidity
of the scalp. As a result, extra housecleaning and use of insecticide
sprays are not needed. You will probably want to wash combs and
brushes, headgear, bed linen and towels in hot water. The sharing
of hats, scarves, hair accessories and combs should be discouraged.
Head
lice information and workshops are available by calling the Ottawa-Carleton
Health Department Child and Adolescent Health Division at 722-2281.
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