Head lice
Head lice are insects that
invade the scalp and cause the child to itch and scratch the scalp. Lice eggs (nits) are firmly attached to the
hair and appear as small white dots.
Treatment
- Wet hair thoroughly with warm water.
- Massage the prescribed treatment (e.g., NIX creme
rinse ) for the appropriate time (usually ten minutes).
- Avoid contact of shampoo with eyes or mouth. A towel
may be held over the eyes for protection from lather and during rinsing.
Should the medication accidentally get into the eyes, the stinging sensation
can be relieved by flushing the eyes with cool water.
- Rinse the hair thoroughly with warm water.
- The medicine will kill live insects and usually the
eggs as well. However, the nits may not be removed from the hair by shampoo
treatment. The hair should be combed with a fine-toothed comb to remove
remaining nits. Eggs are best removed by Aback-combing (combing from the
outside inward toward the scalp). If the nits are not entirely removed by
combing, the hair can be rinsed with diluted vinegar (equal amounts of vinegar
and water) and then combed again. After using the comb, it should be discarded
or cleaned with boiling water.
- Repeat the treatment in one week to make sure that
all the lice eggs are killed.
- The itching and rash may last for a few weeks after
treatment.
- Be sure to store the medicine out of the reach of children at all times,
since it is poisonous if swallowed.
Preventing spread of headlice
Head lice can survive on
objects such as hairbrushes, combs, caps, scarves, coats and towels for only a
few days. All washable clothing,
towels and bed linens which have been in contact with infested persons should be
machine laundered in hot water and machine dried with high heat for 20
minutes
to destroy live nits. Articles which
cannot be washed can be dry-cleaned or stored in plastic bags for two weeks. Hairbrushes and combs can be cleaned with
boiling water.
Family and school contacts
It is possible to catch lice
even if you are very clean. They are
easily spread by sharing of combs, brushes, hats and close contact. All family members should generally be
treated with the prescribed agent. Children in school with the affected
individual should be examined for the possibility of head lice.