1. WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW
HEAD LICE
WHAT PARENTS
NEED TO KNOW

2. HEAD LICE
Can be found on the head, eyebrows, and eyelashes of people
Feed on human blood several times a day and live close to the human scalp
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) They Do Not Cause Disease. They are Just a Nuisance!

3. *Head lice are found worldwide
Who can get Head Lice?
*Head lice are found worldwide
*Most common in preschool-elementary
school aged children and their families
*6 million-12 million infestations each year in the United States!

4. How Do Lice Spread? HEAD LICE CRAWL “THEY CAN NOT HOP OR FLY”
Spread by direct head to head contact
with a person who is infected
* Sharing clothing such as hats, scarves,
coats or other personnel items such as
combs, brushes, or towels, used by an
infested person

5. What do Head Lice Look Like
Life Cycle
1. Lice eggs (nits)
2. Nymph
(matures into adult Adult
In 9-12 days after
hatching)

6. Signs and Symptoms of Lice
Tickling feeling of something moving in the hair
Constant itching, caused by allergic reaction to the bites
Sores on the head caused by scratching
Irritability and difficulty sleeping because head lice are most active in the dark. So kids are uncomfortable and itchy

7. Diagnosing Lice Infestation
Finding a live nymph or louse is the best way to diagnosis a lice infestation
Using a magnifying lens and a fine-tooth comb may be helpful in finding a live louse
Nits are usually seen within a 1/4 inch of base of the hair shafts
If no live lice are seen and the nits are more than a ¼ inch from the scalp, the infestation is probably old and no longer active and does not need to be treated

8. Usually What You Will Find
Nits attached to the hair shaft and do not brush away with your hand. They are adhered to it!

9. May Note A Rash On the Back of the Neck

10. Head Lice Treatment Talk to your doctor
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Before treating children under the age of two
If a person has a seizure disorder
If the skin of scalp has an infection

11. Treatments
There are many over-the -counter products to get rid of lice. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist to see what they recommend
“ALWAYS” follow the manufactures instructions for use
Some products need to be repeated in 7-10 days
This helps eliminate any remaining lice that hatched after the first treatment
BE A NIT PICKER! Look and remove all visible nits with your fingernails or nit comb. Check daily they are easy to miss
(picture of nit comb)
Pic (

12. What To Do at Home?
Although lice do not live long off a host (48 hours) it is recommended that sheets and bedding be wash
Clothing worn in the past 48 hours should be washed in hot water and dried on high temperature
Plush toys and other items can be placed in the drier for 30 minutes on medium-high setting

13. Fun Facts About Head Lice
Head lice can survive 6 hours under water so frequent washing will not get rid of or prevent lice infestations.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states a child can remain in school if lice are found until the end of the day avoiding head to head contact.
The AAP states there is no need for lice screenings at school and children do not need to be nit free to return to school after treatment.

14. The BEST DEFENSE AGAINST HEAD LICE
IS YOU
Inspect your child’s hair and scalp regularly so you can catch an infestation early

15. Helpful Resources * The Center for Disease Control and Prevention
* National Pediculosis Association
Headlice.org
* Kidshealth .org