Information about Head Lice

Head lice, the most common type of lice, are tiny parasitic insects that survive by feeding on human blood.  Head lice are most commonly found on the scalp, behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the neck.  Head lice are rarely found on the body, in the eyebrows, or eyelashes.  They can lay up to six eggs (nits) a day that attach to strands of hair close to the scalp.  Head lice are wingless, cannot fly or jump, and they do not burrow under the skin.  However, they can crawl, sometimes rapidly.

Lice are spread by direct contact with an infested person’s head or personal belongings such as combs, brushes, and hats.  They can also be spread by unwashed clothing, bedding, or towels.  Head lice are commonly found in more than one person in the same household. Children often spread head lice during close contact while playing. A person can also get head lice by lying on a bed, couch, pillow, carpet, or stuffed animal that has been in direct contact with an infested person.  Pets cannot spread head lice.

Anyone who comes in close contact (especially head-to-head contact) with someone who already has head lice is at greatest risk.  Preschool and elementary school-age children (3-11 years of age) and their families are infested most often. Girls and women get head lice more often than boys and men.  In the United States, African-Americans rarely get head lice. Personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home or school has nothing to do with getting head lice.

The main symptom of head lice is itching.  The scalp may appear red from scratching.  Sometimes an infested person has a tickling feeling of something moving in the hair.  Lice and nits can be seen on the hair; identification is usually made by detecting nits attached to the hair close to the scalp. Nits are tiny, grey-white oval specks that do not come off the hair easily, like a piece of dandruff would.  Nits found within ¼ inch from the scalp are usually alive and treatment is needed.  Using a flashlight, adult lice can be seen by separating hair at the base of the neck or around the ears.

Often, head lice can be treated with over-the-counter medications.  Prescription drugs are also available.  Consult your pharmacist or health care provider is you are unsure about which medication to use.

• The chemicals used to kill head lice and their nits may be toxic and should be used with care.  Be sure to follow the directions completely and carefully.
• Nits should be removed after treatment.
• Re-treatment is often necessary 7-10 days later; in some cases, the nits survive the first treatment.
• Treatment of non-infested persons living in the same household as a person with lice is not recommended.  Household contacts should be checked for lice every 2-3 days and treated only if crawling lice or nits (within ¼ inch of the scalp) are found.

In addition to treatment of the infested person(s), the following actions can assist with control:

• Wash all bed linens, hats, etc., that the infested person has worn during the 2 days before treatment in hot water (130 degrees F) and dry at high heat for at least 20 minutes.  Dry clean items that cannot be washed.
• Boil combs, brushes, and other personal items that come in contact with the hair.  These items can also be soaked in rubbing alcohol or a Lysol-type product (use of a trade name is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the Indiana State Department of Health).
• Thoroughly vacuum rugs, upholstered furniture, and mattresses, especially where the infested person sits or lies.
• Seal any items that cannot be washed or dry cleaned (stuffed animals, comforters, etc.) in a plastic bag for 2 weeks.

Do not use hairbrushes, combs, or hats that belong to other people.
If infested, use treatment medications as directed.  Re-infestation occurs often and can be frustrating for parents, teachers, and children. Treating re-infested and newly infested cases at the same time may help stop the cycle.