Head Lice are tiny wingless egg laying insects and only people get them. They live in human hair on the head. Nits are the eggs of head lice, Brown black nits are eggs, white nits are eggs that have already hatched.

Myths

• They can make you feel sick -In fact they are harmless and do not spread like diseases.
• All children scratch when they have headlice -– In fact, only half do.
• Headlice can jump from one head to another –In fact, they spread only when people are in close contact. Live head lice can move very fast and are hard to see.
• Headlice prefer dirty hair –In fact, they like all hair clean/dirty/long and short.

The eggs, called nits, hatch after 7 days. The lice will feed on blood near the hair root.

Symptoms include Itching and scratching around back of the neck and behind their ears. When you look closely you might see oval shaped brown-black or white nits attach to the root of the hair near the scalp.

How to treat head lice

Wet combing treatment

If your child has head lice you should treat all family members at the same time.

Combing wet hair with a special fine toothed metal lice comb (available at pharmacies) and any type of conditioner.

1. Apply lots of conditioner to wet hair, rub it into the scalp and hair to the very ends.
2. Leave for 15mins, put a shower cap on, it helps suffocate the head lice and they release from the hair shafts.
3. Use the metal comb to remove conditioner from the scalp, firmly comb out from the scalp, clean the comb between strokes, with tissue and /or water.
4. Comb your child’s head thoroughly at least twice.

Repeated wet combing is a very good lice treatment comb every 2-3 days for 2 weeks.

It can take time, often 30min, so a book, a device or tv is a good distraction.

Anti lice products

Available from pharmacies without a prescription, lotions liquids and creams are more effective than shampoos. Follow instructions carefully as some can irritate the skin on the scalp, and they often have a strong smell. It is important to check that the lice are dead, if not a different product may be required. Discuss this with your pharmacist. Treatment required again 1 week after to kill any eggs that have hatched.

It can be hard to get rid of head lice treatment doesn’t always work.

Some Children will get repeated head lice a few times a year which can be upsetting for your child. If repeated treatments have not worked and your child is getting them more than 3-4 times a year, it’s a good idea to talk to you GP.

Prevention of head lice

• Do not share brushes or hats.
•  Wash any bedding or clothes the child has used in the last 48hrs.

And remember. 

it’s very common for children to get head lice, so effective treatment and prevention can help. Notify the school if your child has head lice. As long as you have begun treatment your child can return to school the next day.

Lisa Hutchin, School health Nurse