Head Lice In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Head lice infestation, also called Pediculosis (pe-dik-u-LOH-sis) capitis, happens when lice live on a person's scalp (head) and hair. Head lice can be found on anyone regardless of age, race, and social status. Girls between 3 and 12 years of age are most commonly affected. This is caused by tiny parasites (bugs) that crawl, bite, and suck blood to live and grow. Adult lice lay nits (eggs) which are glued on the hair and hatch to become nymphs (baby lice). Head lice are often passed by direct hair-to-hair contact. It can also be spread by sharing items that come in contact with the head of lice-infested people.
  
  
• Your child may have severe itching, scratching, dark specks, red bite marks, or sores (wounds) on the scalp. He may also have a ticklish feeling of something crawling on his head. Head lice infestation is diagnosed by finding live lice or nits stuck to the hair near the scalp. These may be checked by a caregiver using a magnifying glass or microscope. Head lice infestation may be treated with lice medicines (pediculicides) or by removing the lice and nits using fine-toothed combs. With proper treatment and care, your child's head lice and nits may be removed without causing further problems.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• You may need to use lice medicine to treat your child's head lice. Carefully follow the directions on the lice medicine box. Make sure to apply it to the whole scalp. Do not use lice medicine near your child's eyes or on the eyelashes. Do not use hair conditioners before using the medicine.
  
  
• Always use your child's medicine as directed by his caregiver. Call your child's caregiver if you think your child's medicines are not helping. Call if you feel your child is having side effects. Some lice medicines may cause your child to be very sick if the medicine is not used correctly. Lice medicine should never be left on the skin and hair longer than directed. It should never be used more times than directed.
  
  
• Do not use lice medicine on people who do not have lice. Lice medicine does not prevent lice. It only kills lice that are on the head during the treatment.
  
  
• Rinse your child's hair over a sink rather than in shower or bath. Use cool rather than hot water. Wash your child's hair with regular shampoo at the end of the treatment.
  
  
• Throw away all lice medicine that you do not use. Do not use old lice medicine.

Ask for more information about where and when to take your child for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services for your child, ask for information.

Combing out lice and nits:

Lice medicine does not kill or remove all the nits (eggs). Nits that are not killed may hatch in 9 to 12 days if not removed from your child's hair. You may comb out lice and nits by doing the following:

• After the lice treatment, comb or brush wet hair to remove tangles.
  
  
• Insert a fine-toothed comb on the top of the head until it gently touches the scalp and draw it firmly down.
  
  
• Comb the entire head of hair at least twice. The comb should be examined for lice after each stroke.

Cleaning:

• Wash items used by your child in the past 2 days. Put all washable things in a hot, soapy wash and dry them using a hot cycle. This includes bedding sheets, pillowcases, towels, and clothes. Items that cannot be washed should be put in airtight plastic bags for two weeks.
  
  
• Soak combs, brushes, and other hair items in lice medicine or hot water. Wash lice combs and clothing your child wore during each lice treatment and after each combing.
  
  
• Vacuum furniture, rugs, carpets, car seats, and other fabrics carefully.

Do's and do nots:

• Do allow your child to return to school after initial use of lice medicine. Continue the lice treatment until there are no more lice or nits on your child's head.
  
  
• Do check all family members and friends who your child has played closely with. Treat all those who have lice at the same time.
  
  
• Do tell your child's school or daycare center that your child has head lice. They must tell families that their children have been exposed and must be inspected for lice. Ask your child's school or daycare center about their lice policy.
  
  
• Do try to keep your child from scratching his scalp. Trim your child's fingernails or have him wear soft gloves or mittens if scratching is a problem.
  
  
• Do not share personal items, such as combs, brushes, hats, pillows, sheets, and towels.
  
  
• Do not shave your child's hair.
  
  
• Do not use acetone, bleach, kerosene or other flammable products to kill lice. Do not use products intended for your pets or other animals to treat head lice in children.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your child's scalp is itchy, stinging, numb, red, swollen, or has a burning feeling after beginning treatment.
  
  
• You see live lice or new nits more than 2 days after using lice medicine.
  
  
• You have any questions or concerns about your child's head lice infestation, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your child becomes more irritable or fussy than normal.
  
  
• Your child is dizzy, feels sick or vomits (throws up), or has a seizure after lice treatment.
  
  
• Your child's bites become pus-filled or crusty or the hair becomes matted and has a bad smell.

Copyright © 2011. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Head Lice In Children (Aftercare Instructions)