Treatment and Prevention of Head Lice
Dear Parents,
A case of head lice was reported at school. Therefore, we thought this would be a good time to send you advice on how to identify and treat this common problem.
Head lice are not serious but do need immediate attention, as they do give discomfort and are easily spread. It is recommended that you examine your child’s head so that, if necessary, immediate treatment can be started.
If your child has head lice, all household members should be checked and treated, if necessary. You do not need to go extraordinarily extensive with housecleaning because head lice will not survive long if they fall off a person and cannot feed. To prevent reinfestation, concentrate on cleaning the things that your child’s head came into direct contact with in the past few days.
Outbreaks of head lice are common in schools, especially when the weather gets warmer.
How to Identify Head Lice
Head lice, or pediculus capitis, are very small insects that live on the human scalp. They are whitish-grey in colour, but they turn reddish brown after feeding on blood from the scalp. They regularly lay clusters of eggs, called nits, on the roots of hair, which appear yellowish-white in colour. The young ones are almost translucent until they have had their first meal, when they turn red. These small insects are fast-moving but cannot jump or fly.
The most common symptom is an itchy head. Tiny red bite marks may also be visible around the hair line, and head lice may be visible behind the child’s ear, or on the nape of their neck.
Treatment and Prevention
Wash or dry clothing and bed linens at temperatures above 130°F (54.4°C). This will kill stray lice and nits. Seal clothing or other items that are not washable in a plastic bag for two weeks, or put them in the dryer. Soak combs and brushes in very hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. Remind your children not to share combs, hair ornaments, or hats, and ask them to stuff their jackets into their backpacks at school, rather than hang them on a communal hook.
Try a Simpler Approach Instead
The experts say that the best approach is also the easiest: using a wet comb.
Coat your child’s hair and scalp with conditioner or a safe lubricant such as olive oil. Use a wide-tooth comb to separate hair into sections. Follow with a metal nit or flea comb, concentrating on the area close to the scalp. After each comb-through, wipe the comb on a paper tower and inspect for lice. Continue combing until no lice are found. A single session can take 15 to 60 minutes depending on the length and thickness of hair.
Repeat every three to four days for several weeks, and continue regular combings for two weeks after any session where an adult louse is found.
Jeanette Hui
School Health Professional
6 September 2019
