Head Lice: What Parents Should Know

Head lice are a common concern, especially for children in elementary school. While head lice can affect people of any age, they are more often found in young children. This is because kids are more likely to have head-to-head contact (sharing brushes and hats) where lice can spread. Lice can cause discomfort, itchiness, and anxiety, but they are not a health risk. Understanding what to look for, how to treat lice effectively, and what myths to ignore can help reduce stress and get things under control quickly.

What Are Head Lice and Nits

Head lice are small insects about the size of a sesame seed. Their color can vary, but they are usually gray or brown. They feed on small amounts of blood from the scalp and cannot survive more than a day without blood. Nits are the eggs that lice will lay and attach to the hair close to the scalp. The nits are typically oval-shaped and usually yellow or white. Head lice typically live for about 28 days, and their eggs will hatch in 7 to 12 days. They spread through head-to-head contact and the sharing of items that have come into contact with the hair, such as brushes, combs, hats, and helmets. Head lice do not fly or jump. They are crawling insects only. 

Spotting Head Lice: Signs and Checking

The first clue that your child might have lice is persistent itching on the scalp. This itch is usually caused by an allergic reaction to the lice's saliva. The scalp behind the ears and at the back of the neck are common areas to feel itchy. Keep in mind that itchiness may not begin until 4-6 weeks after lice first appear. To check for lice, make sure to do it in good light, as lice can be hard to see. Part the hair in sections and check the various areas of your child's scalp. As lice can move very quickly, especially in the light, you'll also want to check for nits. Something to be aware of is that nits can sometimes be mistaken for dandruff or hair buildup. The difference, however, is that nits firmly stick to the hair while dandruff is flaky and will move if you brush it off. 

Treatment for Head Lice

Once lice are confirmed, you can begin treatment. The most effective approach combines medicine with combing out lice and nits. You might hear about natural remedies such as olive oil, mayonnaise, butter, or margarine. These methods do not have evidence that they actually work to effectively eliminate lice. Some over-the-counter treatments may not work as lice have become resistant to certain active ingredients found in those options. It's best to talk to your pediatrician about a prescription for medicine. Once you get the medicine, make sure to apply it to your child's hair instead of letting them do it on their own. Follow the directions as instructed on the prescription. When you're ready to wash out the medicine, rinse it off over the sink to avoid the medicine running into other areas of the skin. Use warm water instead of hot. Before using the medicine again, check with your pediatrician first. Once you have finished giving your child the medicine, use a fine-tooth comb to comb out the nits and any remaining lice. This should be done every couple of days for 2-3 weeks, or for as long as the product label says it's required.

It's also important to wash your child's pillow cases, sheets, clothes, towels, and hats in hot water if they were used within 2 days before head lice were found and treated. Items that cannot be washed should be sealed in a plastic bag for 2 weeks or dry-cleaned. It's recommended that the entire household get checked for lice too. 

For any questions or concerns about head lice, please call our office.