Nixon PTO Health Care Page

Head lice has re-appeared at Nixon! Please be sure to take time while at home to check your child's head for the presence of nits (eggs). (If you do discover a case of head lice, please let the Health Office know so the rest of the class can be monitored.)

Parents finding lice in its early stage is the only way to reduce and eliminate the spread. Lice are communicable and difficult to prevent, but if every parent/guardian takes the responsibility to check the entire family’s hair and scalp often, these parasites can be controlled. This is not a simple problem to deal with, but the following information should help you identify and treat lice.

HOW DO YOU GET LICE?

Many people associate lice with unclean people or homes. This is not true in the case of head lice. Frequent bathing or shampooing will not prevent lice nor eliminate them once they are established. Lice cannot jump or fly, and are only transmitted by contact with an infested person, wearing infested clothing, or using an infested comb or brush. Children should be instructed not to share hats, headbands, clothing, brushes and combs with others.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Lice are small insects about the size of a sesame seed. They are usually light brown but can vary in color. They move quickly and shy away from light, making it difficult to see them.

Diagnosis is more often made on the basis of finding nits (eggs). These are tiny, yellowish-white oval-shaped specks attached to the hair shafts near the scalp. They resemble a tiny grain of rice attached to the side of the hair shaft.

Newly-laid nits are usually found 1/2” from the scalp, however, they can be found anywhere along the hair shaft. As she deposits her eggs, the female louse cements them to the hairs and unlike lint or dandruff, they will not wash off or blow away.

Nits may be found throughout the hair, but are most often located at the nape of the neck, behind the ears, and frequently on the crown of the head. It may help to use a magnifying glass or reading glasses and natural light when searching for them. The purchase of nonprescription magnifying reading glasses can be very helpful when trying to locate nits.

Adult female louse - highly magnified

SYMPTOMS OF INFESTATION

The itching which occurs when lice bite and suck blood from the scalp is a primary symptom of infestation, although not everyone will experience the itching. Children seen scratching their heads frequently should be examined at once. Often red bite marks can be seen on the scalp and nape of the neck. In severe infestations, a child may develop swollen glands in the neck or under the arms.

TREATMENT

Treatment is directed both toward the individual, their personal articles and environment. Before one family member is treated, all should be examined. Those showing evidence of infestation should all be treated at the same time. Individual treatment is a two-step process involving the use of a pediculicidal shampoo/rinse and nit removal. Proceed as follows:

Use one of the several louse remedies available at your pharmacy. All these products must be used carefully, observing all safety guidelines. All lice-killing products are pesticides and must be used with caution. Consider (a) consulting your obstetrician if you are pregnant or nursing (whether treating yourself or others) and (b) consulting your physician before treating anyone, especially those with extensive cuts or scratches on the head or neck, or anyone using other medications. DO NOT USE THESE PRODUCT ON INFANTS. DO READ ALL PACKAGE INFORMATION BEFORE USING THESE PRODUCTS.
The main focus of treatment is nit removal. Although it will take time and be difficult, remove all nits to insure complete treatment. Louse treatments rarely kill all the nits, and survivors will hatch into crawling lice within 7-10 days, generating a cycle of self-reinfestation. Even dead nits will cling to the hair and cause uncertainty about reinfestation. Nit and louse removal can be accomplished with a special combing tool manufactured for this purpose (a metal comb available at drug stores), by picking them out with the fingernails, or by using baby safety scissors to snip off individual hair shafts. If you are able to see live lice, wrap scotch tape around your finger, sticky side out, adhere the lice to the tape and flush the tape.
Daily nit checks are necessary for one month following a treatment. You may have to retreat in 7-10 days if there is evidence of new nits or newly-hatched lice.

TREATMENT OF PERSONAL ARTICLES AND ENVIRONMENT

Machine wash all washable clothing and bed linens which have been in contact with the infested person during the last three days. Articles should be washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer. Non-washables can be put in a hot dryer for 20 minutes if heat will not harm them. Articles which cannot be washed or dried, (ie: stuffed animal), can be sealed in a plastic bag for 2-3 weeks.
Combs, brushes, etc. can be soaked in louse shampoo for one hour, or in 150 degree water for 10 minutes. (Only do this if you believe this will not damage these items.)
Rugs, upholstered furniture, car seats, and mattresses should be carefully vacuumed to pick up any living lice or nits attached to fallen hairs. Use of insecticidal sprays is not recommended and strongly discouraged as it may be harmful to family members and pets.

**Lice survive only on humans and cannot infect or be transmitted to pets.

It is important to clean the environment, however, it is more important to spend your energy and time removing the nits from the hair. After the initial cleaning of bedding, clothes, etc. nit removal on the head is where you should be focusing your time.

Enlarged photo of hair debris, nits and head lice
The nit is always oval-shaped and glued at an angle to the side of the hair shaft.
Note the difference between hair debris and actual nits.

*****REPORTING CASES*****

Don’t be embarrassed to notify the health office at school so that other parents can be alerted to a possible lice outbreak. Also notify your child’s playmates’ parents. Parental cooperation will help protect all children, including your own.