Dealing with Head Lice and Nits

Head lice, also known as pediculus humanus capitis, are very common, particularly in elementary-aged children. Head lice are small parasitic insects that are found on people's heads and that feed on human blood. Both lice and nits, the eggs of head lice, are difficult to see and can be mistaken for dandruff or droplets of hair spray or other hair products.

Head lice are spread through contact with the head or hair of an infested person. Using the infected person's hairbrush, comb, helmet, hat or pillow can also spread head lice.

The Life Cycle of Head Lice
Nits are laid by live lice and are usually glued to a single strand of hair. After approximately seven to 10 days, the nits hatch into nymphs and start feeding. The nymphs take another seven to 10 days to develop into adult lice. After maturity, they will spend the rest of their lives feeding and, in the case of female lice, laying eggs.

On average, head lice live for about 30 days. During that time, each female louse can lay approximately 100 nits.

Symptoms of Head Lice and Nits

Some people can be infested with head lice for months without noticing any symptoms, so be sure to check your child if he has been exposed to someone who has head lice. Some physical symptoms your child might exhibit are:
  • itchy head and neck
  • rash behind the ears
  • rash on the back of the neck
  • sores on the head from scratching
  • tickling feeling of something moving.
You might also visually notice nits stuck to your child's hairs or see louse droppings. The louse droppings look like a fine black powder. You should also look for them on your child's pillows and sheets.

Treatment for Lice and Nits

Although various medications to kill lice are available, the National Pediculosis Association recommends against using them. The chemicals in the medications are pesticides and can be harmful to your children.

The National Pediculosis Association suggests manually removing the lice and nits. The best way to do this is frequently combing the hair with a fine-toothed comb. You should remove all that you can find with a comb and then check back often to remove any that might remain.

Louse Anatomy
These are the basic features of the head louse:
  • Each louse has a pair of antennae.
  • Each louse has six legs, with claws adapted to grasping hairs at the end of each leg.
  • Like all insects, head lice have three distinct regions: the head, the thorax and the abdomen.
  • The only way for a louse to move is by crawling: Head lice can't jump or fly.

To treat the environment of persons infested with head lice, the safest method is to vacuum any surfaces their heads might have touched. Be sure to check:

  • brushes
  • car seats
  • clothing
  • combs
  • furniture
  • hair bows
  • hats
  • pillows
  • rugs
  • sheets
  • stuffed animals
  • towels.

Preventing Head Lice

Here are some simple steps you and your child can take to prevent head lice:
  • If any member of your family has been in contact with someone who has lice, examine the scalp of each member of your family every three to four days in order to spot lice early.
  • Tell your child not to share combs, brushes, hats, etc., with others.
  • Tell your child to avoid head-to-head contact with other children.

Resources

Homeier, Barbara P. (2005). Lice. Retrieved Sept, 6, 2007, from the Kids Health Web site: http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/common/lice.html.

The National Pediculosis Association, Inc. (2007). Head Lice: Treatments. Retrieved Sept. 6, 2007, from the HeadLice.org Web site: http://www.headlice.org/faq/treatments/index.htm.