How to Get Rid of Head Lice

Learn how to get rid of head lice to ensure that your child does not unintentionally spread the lice to others. Over 10 million Americans get pediculosis, or head lice, each year. On average, a case of head lice results in three missed school days per infected child, according to the National Pediculosis Association (NPA).

Head lice are spread through direct contact or the sharing of combs, hats, pillows, headphones, etc. They may also be transmitted on towels and bed sheets. Lice cannot hop, jump or fly, but they escape detection by moving swiftly on their six strong legs. Infection is not a result of a child's or family's personal cleanliness or living conditions.

Detection
How can you tell if your child has head lice? Scratching is virtually the only symptom, although not everyone with head lice experiences itching. By the time your child is noticeably scratching, the lice may have been there for four to six weeks, because it takes the immune system that long to develop the sensitivity that causes the itching. Otherwise, nits (lice eggs) are hard to find unless you know what to look for; and adult lice, which are the size of a sesame seed, are quick-moving and nearly impossible to spot.

• In natural light, part the hair and look carefully at the scalp and the bottom of the hair strands, especially behind the ears and at the back of the neck. Use a magnifying glass if necessary.
• Nits look like tiny tear drops glued to the hairs and are difficult to dislodge.
• Examine all family members and treat everyone at the same time. Head lice can live only on people, so don't worry about the family pet.

Treatment
Health professionals and parents are increasingly concerned about the toxicity of pesticide shampoos, especially products containing Lindane. And recent research indicates that lice are becoming resistant to permethrin (NIX™) or pyrethrin (RID™) shampoos.

One of the more popular non-chemical treatments is to use olive oil, which smothers or slows down lice, making it easier to comb them out.

• The manual removal of lice and nits is the most effective method. Part the hair in one-inch sections and remove all the white eggs with a lice comb, baby scissors or your fingernails.
• Consider cutting your child's hair to make the nit-picking easier. However, don't take a child to a barber or hairdresser.
• Wash bedding, towels and recently worn clothing in hot water and dry in a dryer. Vacuum rugs, upholstered furniture, mattresses and car seats. Put anything that can't be washed or dry cleaned into a sealed plastic bag for two weeks. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10-15 minutes.

Finally, notify schools, camps and anyone with whom your child may have come in contact in the last few days. Be sure to perform head checks on all family members every few days for three weeks after the first treatment.

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