| The Facts of Lice |
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Tips to help keep your child lice free.
What to do if my child has nits or lice?
First and foremost, try not to panic. Remember, lice are more of a nuisance than a health issue. You must
remove all the nits so they do not hatch and re-infest. Make sure the child actually has lice. It's very easy to
mistake pieces of dandruff, food, or hair products for louse eggs or nits. If the particle can be removed easily
with your fingers it is not a nit.
Combing is the safest way to remove nits.
Find your child's favorite movie and sit them in front of it. Make sure you are using a bright light as nits/lice
are hard to spot.
Pin up larger sections. Let down small pieces and comb thru. Comb each small section in different directions.
Making sure to wipe down the comb after each pass. Combing can take a couple of hours. Use a creme
conditioner to help make the combing out process easier.
If you choose to use a lice treatment, choose carefully. Studies have shown that lice are becoming resistant
to over the counter treatments- hence the new term "super-bug". In addition, most OTC products contain
harmful pesticides such as lindane. In a recent Welsh study, more than 80% of the lice had genes conferring
resistance to pyrethroid insecticides. Pyrethroids are sold in the US under brand names including Pronto, Rid
and Nix.
Make sure to wash all bedding in hot water each morning. Remember, a louse can live off the human head
for 24-36 hours, so it can rest on the pillow and re-attach that evening.
Vacuuming is the safest and best way to remove lice from furniture, rugs, stuffed animals, and car seats. Do
not waste your money on furniture sprays; they are loaded with environmentally hazardous ingredients and
are unnecessary.
Make sure to check everyone else in the house with a nit removal comb. Keep checking for up to 2 weeks as
per the lice cycle of a nit. Remember, eggs hatch in 7-10 days and take another 7-10 days to mature into an
egg-laying louse.
What about natural products to remove and prevent head lice?
As society becomes more aware of the potential dangers of chemicals and pesticides. Products are currently
being developed that will help eliminate and prevent head lice. Studies have shown that herbs such as
rosemary, citronella, tea tree, lavender and geranium have been shown to help repel head lice. These herbs
have been used as a natural insecticide for centuries. In addition, as lice are becoming resistant to chemicals
that "kill" lice, products are being developed to dissolve the nit "glue" so nits are easily combed and washed
out. Combing is the most effective method but these natural products do make it easier to release the nits
and break down the exoskeleton (bodies) of live lice making the combing process faster and easier for
parents and children.
The Cycle of head lice.
There are three stages in the life of a louse: the egg, the nymph and the adult louse.
What is an egg?
Eggs are laid at the base of hair because it is warmer and humid there. They are usually near the scalp and
are stuck to the hair with a kind of glue. They are usually 1/2-1/4 inch from the top of the head and attached
onto an individual hair shaft at an angle. The shells of these eggs are called nits. A female louse lays 3-5
eggs a day. The egg takes 7-10 days to hatch. Eggs are hard to find, they are nearly colorless. Once they
hatch in 7-10 days, they are easier to see.
What is a nit?
Nits are small, oval shaped eggs that have hatched. They start out a light yellow or whitish-gray color and
turn brown as they develop. A nit is a bit smaller than a pinhead approximately 0.01 inches to 0.03 inches.
The shells are extremely tough and hard to remove.
What is a nymph?
After seven days, newborn lice are now called nymphs. Nymphs start to feed on human blood almost
immediately. The nymph develops into a full grown louse usually in 9-10 days. The main difference between
nymphs and adult head lice are that nymphs are smaller and don't mate or lay eggs.
What is a louse?
An adult louse can live for up to 30 days on the human head. A female louse will lay up to 100 eggs in her
lifetime. A full grown louse is about the size of sesame seed. They are usually grayish brown in color.
More facts of Lice
There are more than 12 million cases of head lice each year in the US.
Lice infest people regardless of social status and personal hygiene - in fact, they like CLEAN hair not dirty -
its easier to attach to a clean hair shaft rather than a dirty one!
Lice are human parasites and need human blood to survive.
Lice cannot jump or fly. They crawl. Head to head contact is the most likely way to spread lice.
Lice infest children more than adults (mostly young, school age girls) because kids have more direct head to
head contact with one another.
Pets do not carry the same type of head lice as children. Lice cannot be "caught" from pets - they are human
parasites only.
A child's head needs to be in contact with someone else's for a while. Lice move slowly and can take 30
seconds to move from head to head.
How are head lice spread? How did my child get head Lice?
Lice are mostly spread thru head to head contact. They can also be transmitted by sharing personal items
such as the following: brushes, combs, hair ties, helmets, headphones, towels, hats, etc. Storing personal
items within close proximity can result in transmission.
Lice cannot survive off the human head for more than 24-36 hours so there is a possibility they can survive
on a pillow, head rest, couch, car seat, or chair. Swimming carries no greater risk of transmission than any
other activity. Lice go into a state of suspend animation when in water an remain firmly attached to the hair
shaft.
 | Keep long hair up in a braid and coated with hair product. Studies have shown that herbs such as | |
| rosemary and citronella can help to repel head lice. | ||
| Do Not wash the hair every day. Lice can attach easier to a squeaky clean hair shaft than a dirty one. | |
| Build up of natural oils and hair products can "coat" the hair shaft making attaching more difficult. | ||
| Store all jackets, backpacks, etc. in separate cubbies and in a sealed bag. | |
| Do weekly head checks. Focus on the hot spots-nape of the neck, behind the ears, part lines. Female | |
| lice lay their eggs at the top of the head- it's warm and humid. Using a metal comb specifically for lice removal is the best way to find and remove small nits. | ||
| Recognize the symptoms of head lice which include itching at the scalp, small, red bumps or sores on | |
| the neck and/or scalp. | ||
| If your child plays sports, do not share helmets- if they must wipe down with a wet cloth, do the same at | |
| "princess" parties. Tiara's boa's and costumes can harbor lice- wipe down or wash properly. |
What to do if my child has nits or lice?
First and foremost, try not to panic. Remember, lice are more of a nuisance than a health issue. You must
remove all the nits so they do not hatch and re-infest. Make sure the child actually has lice. It's very easy to
mistake pieces of dandruff, food, or hair products for louse eggs or nits. If the particle can be removed easily
with your fingers it is not a nit.
Combing is the safest way to remove nits.
Find your child's favorite movie and sit them in front of it. Make sure you are using a bright light as nits/lice
are hard to spot.
Pin up larger sections. Let down small pieces and comb thru. Comb each small section in different directions.
Making sure to wipe down the comb after each pass. Combing can take a couple of hours. Use a creme
conditioner to help make the combing out process easier.
If you choose to use a lice treatment, choose carefully. Studies have shown that lice are becoming resistant
to over the counter treatments- hence the new term "super-bug". In addition, most OTC products contain
harmful pesticides such as lindane. In a recent Welsh study, more than 80% of the lice had genes conferring
resistance to pyrethroid insecticides. Pyrethroids are sold in the US under brand names including Pronto, Rid
and Nix.
Make sure to wash all bedding in hot water each morning. Remember, a louse can live off the human head
for 24-36 hours, so it can rest on the pillow and re-attach that evening.
Vacuuming is the safest and best way to remove lice from furniture, rugs, stuffed animals, and car seats. Do
not waste your money on furniture sprays; they are loaded with environmentally hazardous ingredients and
are unnecessary.
Make sure to check everyone else in the house with a nit removal comb. Keep checking for up to 2 weeks as
per the lice cycle of a nit. Remember, eggs hatch in 7-10 days and take another 7-10 days to mature into an
egg-laying louse.
What about natural products to remove and prevent head lice?
As society becomes more aware of the potential dangers of chemicals and pesticides. Products are currently
being developed that will help eliminate and prevent head lice. Studies have shown that herbs such as
rosemary, citronella, tea tree, lavender and geranium have been shown to help repel head lice. These herbs
have been used as a natural insecticide for centuries. In addition, as lice are becoming resistant to chemicals
that "kill" lice, products are being developed to dissolve the nit "glue" so nits are easily combed and washed
out. Combing is the most effective method but these natural products do make it easier to release the nits
and break down the exoskeleton (bodies) of live lice making the combing process faster and easier for
parents and children.
The Cycle of head lice.
There are three stages in the life of a louse: the egg, the nymph and the adult louse.
What is an egg?
Eggs are laid at the base of hair because it is warmer and humid there. They are usually near the scalp and
are stuck to the hair with a kind of glue. They are usually 1/2-1/4 inch from the top of the head and attached
onto an individual hair shaft at an angle. The shells of these eggs are called nits. A female louse lays 3-5
eggs a day. The egg takes 7-10 days to hatch. Eggs are hard to find, they are nearly colorless. Once they
hatch in 7-10 days, they are easier to see.
What is a nit?
Nits are small, oval shaped eggs that have hatched. They start out a light yellow or whitish-gray color and
turn brown as they develop. A nit is a bit smaller than a pinhead approximately 0.01 inches to 0.03 inches.
The shells are extremely tough and hard to remove.
What is a nymph?
After seven days, newborn lice are now called nymphs. Nymphs start to feed on human blood almost
immediately. The nymph develops into a full grown louse usually in 9-10 days. The main difference between
nymphs and adult head lice are that nymphs are smaller and don't mate or lay eggs.
What is a louse?
An adult louse can live for up to 30 days on the human head. A female louse will lay up to 100 eggs in her
lifetime. A full grown louse is about the size of sesame seed. They are usually grayish brown in color.
More facts of Lice
There are more than 12 million cases of head lice each year in the US.
Lice infest people regardless of social status and personal hygiene - in fact, they like CLEAN hair not dirty -
its easier to attach to a clean hair shaft rather than a dirty one!
Lice are human parasites and need human blood to survive.
Lice cannot jump or fly. They crawl. Head to head contact is the most likely way to spread lice.
Lice infest children more than adults (mostly young, school age girls) because kids have more direct head to
head contact with one another.
Pets do not carry the same type of head lice as children. Lice cannot be "caught" from pets - they are human
parasites only.
A child's head needs to be in contact with someone else's for a while. Lice move slowly and can take 30
seconds to move from head to head.
How are head lice spread? How did my child get head Lice?
Lice are mostly spread thru head to head contact. They can also be transmitted by sharing personal items
such as the following: brushes, combs, hair ties, helmets, headphones, towels, hats, etc. Storing personal
items within close proximity can result in transmission.
Lice cannot survive off the human head for more than 24-36 hours so there is a possibility they can survive
on a pillow, head rest, couch, car seat, or chair. Swimming carries no greater risk of transmission than any
other activity. Lice go into a state of suspend animation when in water an remain firmly attached to the hair
shaft.
Nits (the eggs of
the head louse)
are small
yellowish-white,
oval shaped
eggs that are
glued to the side
of a hair shaft at
an angle.
the head louse)
are small
yellowish-white,
oval shaped
eggs that are
glued to the side
of a hair shaft at
an angle.
Nits must be laid
by live lice. You
cannot catch nits.
by live lice. You
cannot catch nits.
Once laid, it
takes 7-10 days
for a nit to hatch,
another 7-10
days for the
female to mature
and begin laying
her own eggs.
takes 7-10 days
for a nit to hatch,
another 7-10
days for the
female to mature
and begin laying
her own eggs.
Head lice are
clear in color
when hatched
and then quickly
develop a
reddish-brown
color after
feeding.
clear in color
when hatched
and then quickly
develop a
reddish-brown
color after
feeding.
Head lice are
about the size of
sesame seeds.
about the size of
sesame seeds.
Head lice have
six legs
equipped with
claws to grasp
the hair.
six legs
equipped with
claws to grasp
the hair.
Head lice are
crawling insects.
They cannot,
hop, jump or fly.
crawling insects.
They cannot,
hop, jump or fly.
Head lice do not
thrive on pets.
thrive on pets.
Wingless insects
which feed on
human blood.
They need
human blood in
order to survive.
which feed on
human blood.
They need
human blood in
order to survive.
Head lice live for
approximately 30
days on a host
and a female
louse may lay up
to 100 nits (eggs).
approximately 30
days on a host
and a female
louse may lay up
to 100 nits (eggs).
In most cases, a
head for more
than 24 hours off
of its host.
head for more
than 24 hours off
of its host.
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