Catherine P. Webster Simpson Co. Extension Agent 4-H Youth Development Head Lice Catherine P. Webster Simpson Co. Extension Agent 4-H Youth Development

What Are Head Lice “Head Lice are tiny six-legged, blood-sucking parasites. Each leg is equipped with a claw, enabling the louse to grasp onto the shaft of the hair. They are approximately the size of a sesame seed.” Shepherd, Katie. “Lice Advice – The Shepherd Method of Strand by Strand Nit Removal.” Star Group International, 2009.

The Facts 12,000,000 people in the United States will experience head lice this year. Lice are most commonly found on children ages 3-16, however adults can get them. 98% of lice are spread through head to head contact. Only 2% are spread by sharing hats, brushes, etc. Lice cannot jump or fly – they don’t have legs or wings – they simply move really fast!

More Facts Lice attach to strands of hair with their claws. They prefer round hair shafts like that of Caucasians because it is easier to grasp. African American strands of hair are oval so lice are less likely to attach to it however no one is immune. With an increase in bi-racial children, hair textures are changing resulting in more cases of head lice among all racial groups than ever before.

Your Blood Plays a Factor Many factors attract head lice to one person over another. Research has shown that lice avoid incompatible blood types. “Think of it like a blood transfusion – if you receive new blood it must be compatible with yours.” The same is true of lice. If a louse feasts on a new blood type it can die. When a female louse goes from one host to another she will lay her eggs on the new host before she feeds, so the newly hatched nymphs can feed on their hosts blood type and survive.

Lice Eggs (Nits) The female louse lays eggs/nits by gluing them to the hair shaft. Nits can only be attached to hair by the glue from its mother hence there is little chance you will pick up nits up from a public place like a movie theater, etc. The louse lays eggs 2x a day and can lay up to five eggs at a time. This can equal up to 200 eggs in her 30 day lifetime. It takes 7-10 days for a nit to hatch. Once hatched, the nit becomes a nymph and the nymph takes 7-10 days to reach adulthood and start laying eggs.

The Life Cycle www.licesolutions.org/

Survival of Lice and Nits Lice have to have human blood to survive. They can survive 12-24 hours off the head then will die. Nits have to have the warmth of the body to incubate (i.e. like a chicken has to sit on an egg) or they will not be viable. It often takes 7-10 days before the symptoms of head lice are evident after an infestation.

Anyone Can Get Lice Lice are not a sign of being dirty - they actually like clean hair! Remember the louse glues her eggs to the hair shaft. The eggs attach to a clean strand of hair vs. an oily strand much easier. Nits cannot be washed or brushed out – remember they are glued to the hair and they can live underwater for up to two hours.

How Do I Know If “It” Is A Nit? The #1 sign of head lice is itching. The itching is an allergic reaction from the louse biting the scalp. Nits will not flick out of your hair – they are glued. The only way to remove a nit is to pull it out, or to comb it out with a lice comb. Dandruff and dry scalp will flick out. Check the hot spots: bottom of the neck (then move upward along the scalp), behind the ears, and bangs.

Nits are oval with a tail; the tail is actually the glue Nits are oval with a tail; the tail is actually the glue. They resemble a tadpole in appearance. www.licesolutions.org/

What If I Find Nits or Lice Take care of them right away – do not wait! If lice or nits are found a lice treatment should be used first. Treatments will kill lice but not nits. Next comb the lice and nits out with an approved comb. Proper combing can get 85% of the nits. Check the head and “Nit Pick” by manually removing any nits missed from combing. As you remove lice put them in water; nits can be thrown away. Remember it is unlikely that a nit will hatch once removed from the head because they need body warmth to incubate. Re-treat seven days after initial discovery of lice. Hence where the term “nit picking” came from. Strand by strand nit removal is suggested – section the hair then come the hair in paper thin layers with a Nit Free Terminator Comb.

Cleaning the Environment – Use Common Sense What has the infected person been in contact with in the last 24 hours? Has the infected person been in bed? Wash bedding in hot water. Items such as stuffed animals and pillows should be dried for 30 minutes on a hot. Use a vacuum or lint roller on furniture. Hair brushes, combs, hair clips should be boiled for 15 minutes or soaked for 2 hours in alcohol or dish soap. Remember lice don’t live in your home – they live on your head! Focus on 100% nit removal to prevent a re-infestation! 1. Remember lice can only live up to 24 hours off the head and nits need the warmth of the body to incubate.

Lice Treatment Let’s look at some lice treatment products, combs, and prevention! My personal experience is to use a Nit Free Terminator Comb and to use a Nit Free Mint Spray! Lice and nits can be put on white paper under clear tape to preserve for “show & tell”. Mention Katie Shepherd and The Lice Solutions Resource Network

Ensuring You Stay Nit Free If you have had head lice re-check daily for three weeks. Lice leave a scent behind that only lice can smell; once you have been deemed nit free you are susceptible for 90 days. Be an advocate for head lice prevention – tell others you have been around to determine the source of your lice, to prevent others from getting lice, and to prevent spreading it. Getting a 2nd person to double check you is a good idea. An infected person cannot treat and comb themselves; they will need help! Be A Friend and tell others about your lice. Remember anyone can get them!

Other Myths vs. Facts You cannot get head lice from animals. Head lice only attack the human head and not other areas of the body. Mayonnaise, hair gel, hair spray, etc. will not prevent you from getting lice. “The only way to ensure that you never get head lice is to drain all of the blood out of your body!” Katie Shepherd, Founder and CEO of Lice Solutions

No Nit Policy Schools have a No Nit policy and understandably so! A middle school nurse called Lice Solutions about a student who was battling head lice. The school had been aware of the problem but since the child had missed so much school they allowed her to continue coming to school. A technician from Lice Solutions checked the student. It took two technicians four hours each to treat the child and they were not able to remove all the lice and nits. Because her head was neglected it was hard to work on the student. Her head was tender, her hair was matted, and she had sores on her head. The students hair had to be washed 3 times before the removal process could start. The student’s mom said the child was 12 years old and was old enough to take care of her own head – this is considered neglect! As the school started to do a check of this student’s entire grade 86 students were sent home in one day with lice. See how quickly a neglected case of lice can spread and become a problem!

In Conclusion Lice are such a problem today because treatment is hard work and most people think they got rid of them but didn’t. Checking and re-checking is the key and the best defense is a good nit comb! Make checking for nits a weekly task. Get in the habit of combing your child’s hair once a week with a lice comb for the rest of their life! I spent $300 and a period of 3 weeks treating before the lice and nits were gone!

References Shepherd, Katie. “Lice Advice – The Shepherd Method of Strand by Strand Nit Removal.” Star Group International, 2009. Lice Solutions Resource Network, Inc. 604 Gallatin Avenue, Suite 105 Nashville, TN 37206 (615)227-3919 www.licesolutions.org/Nashville.html