Lice can be passed from one child to another, so if you
think your child has lice, check their scalps thoroughly. Lice are not
dangerous, but can be very difficult to get rid of. Lice cannot jump or fly, so
contact with lice is spread from hats, brushes, pillows, or other things that
come in contact with the head. Nits are eggs that female lice lay around the
hair follicle and can be difficult to see. Lice don’t live more than a few
days, but can live for up to 6 hours under water, so showering will not wash
them away.
-If you notice that
your child is scratching their head a lot, you may want to check for lice.
-If you see that your child does have lice, check all of
your other children for lice. Developing
eggs are somewhat dark in color but after hatching the egg cases are white.
Check the scalp in a lighted area.
-Treat all infected with lice at the same time. It may be
difficult to see nits, so if you know that one child has lice, it may be best
to treat all of them.
-Experts advise treating lice with
over-the-counter medicated shampoos called pediculicides (derived from
chrysanthemums). If
you want to avoid insecticides entirely, you could try using soap shampoos that
contain coconut or olive oils. Most soaps kill all stages of the louse except
the egg. Four shampoos, each about 3 days apart, should kill most of the lice
as each successive shampoo kills newly hatched nits. Always combine shampooing
with daily combing and a cleaning of the environment (UCIMP, 2001).
-UC IMP
Online states the following when trying to remove lice:
Starting at the crown of the head, separate
out a section of hair that is about 1 inch by 1/2 inch; hold it out from the
head. Insert the louse comb at the base of the hair section as close as
possible to the scalp, and pull the comb slowly through the hair. Be sure to
slant the comb so that the curved side of the teeth is towards the head. If you
aren't using a comb, go through each small section of hair and use your
fingernails to pull the eggs off the hair, or cut the individual hairs off. Use
the tissues to clean any lice or debris from the comb following each combing or
to collect nits and hair that are removed, and put the tissue in the plastic
bag. Continue to comb the section of hair until you feel sure it is free of
nits or lice, then pin it out of the way with a hair clip and start on the next
section of hair. If the hair dries during the combing process, wet it again
with water to reduce pulling and hair loss. When all the hair has been combed,
rinse it thoroughly with water and then dry. After the hair is completely dry,
check the entire head for stray nits and remove them individually (UCIMP, 2001).
-Gather items from around your home that may have transferred
lice from one person to another such as combs, hats, brushes, pillow cases, and
pillows and wash them in hot water. Wash bedding and clothing that was used in
the last 48 hours. If there are things like stuffed animals that can’t be
washed, but may be infested, put in the dryer for 20 minutes or longer to kill
the bugs.
-Make sure to treat a second time for lice after
about 10 days to ensure that all lice are killed. Nits that are not hatched
during the first treatment will hatch after the first treatment.
For very detailed information on how to treat lice on
your child and in your home, visit:
Reference:
UCIMP Online. (2001, August). Headlice management guildlines.
Retrieved from http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7446.html
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