For most parents, the thought of head lice is disturbing.  More than six million
Americans, mostly 3- to 11-year-old children, are affected with Pediculus humanus
capitis each year. That’s a lot of kids, a lot of head lice and a LOT of
upset parents.¹



Maybe your child’s school nurse called with the unpleasant news. Or perhaps your pediatrician found them. No matter how you learned that your child has head lice, you probably want them gone…NOW!
 

You’re not alone. 


A few years ago head lice treatment was as easy as running to the nearest drugstore and buying a head lice treatment shampoo or cream rinse. But recently, more and more research shows that head lice are becoming resistant to many of these treatments.²


If the thought of living with head lice for another minute distresses you, don’t worry. With a common sense approach, you can eliminate this problem quickly and safely.

What Are Head Lice?

Head lice are wingless insects about the size of a sesame seed. Because of their color and speed, they aren’t easy to find. 
 

During their 30-day adult life, female head lice lay an average of 125 eggs (or nits), which are silvery-white, about the size of a poppy seed and shaped like tiny teardrops. These nits are typically found along the nape of the neck or behind the ears, approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the scalp. During the summer or in tropical climates, they can be found six inches or more from the scalp. 

  
Contrary to old wives’ tales, head lice don’t jump or fly. Direct head-to-head contact is the most common cause of  head lice moving from one child to another. Therefore, children are more likely to get head lice from family members or sleepovers rather than at school. 


Head lice are also transferred through the sharing of hairbrushes, pillows, towels or hats. For these reasons, it’s helpful to remind your child not to share personal items. 
 

The good news is that head lice aren’t known to spread disease. Nor do they result from "being dirty." In fact, lice prefer clean, healthy heads.

Head Lice Symptom

Your child may not have any symptoms. Most children with head lice
don’t. Others have intensely itchy scalps. Also, if your child has sensitive skin, a slight rash may develop. But before you run to the store for an over-the-counter (OTC) treatment, first get an accurate diagnosis from a health care professional.


Diagnosis of head lice can be tricky because there are many things that may look like nits (or a louse) that are actually something else, such as dried hair gel, dandruff, dust particles or an aphid (a small insect) that the wind blew into your child’s hair.



Louse infestations occur frequently among family members and close friends. So if your child is diagnosed with a louse infestation, it’s a good idea to also check family members for head lice and nits and treat appropriately.

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