Head Lice:

The Facts of Lice:

Head lice are small insects (about the size of a sesame seed when fully grown) that live very close to the scalp.
Nits are not the same as lice. Nits are the empty egg cases which stick to the hair.
You only have a head louse infection if you find an actual living, moving louse (not a nit).
Head lice spread by climbing rapidly from head to head - they do not fly, jump or swim.
Anybody can get head lice - both adults and children.
A lot of head louse infections are caught from close family and friends in the home and community, not always at school.
Head lice don't care if the hair is dirty or clean, short or long.
Regular hair care may help to spot lice early

The best way to stop infection:

Check heads regularly (once a week) by:
Washing the hair and leave wet (but not dripping)
Check in good daylight
Comb hair through first then, using a special detector comb, begin at the top of the head with the comb touching the scalp and slowly draw towards the ends of the hair
Check the teeth of the comb carefully.
Repeat this action all the way around the head (this should take 10-15 minutes).
If there are head lice, you will find one of more in the teeth of the comb.

The best way to stop infection is to do detection combing regularly.

NEVER use insecticides to PREVENT infection, or just in case.

How to treat Head Lice:

Do not start treatment unless a living, moving louse is found and this is confirmed by your nurse, pharmacist or GP (stick it to a piece of paper with sticky tape).
Ask your nurse/pharmacist/GP which treatment to use.
Do NOT use head louse shampoo.
Apply lotions or liquids in accordance with the manufacturer's instruction leaflet
Instructions will vary depending on the product used - some require the hair to be dried naturally, keeping well away from naked flames, cigarettes or sources of heat and a hair dryer should not be used. Also the length of time the lotion or liquid is left on the hair will vary.
You should use at least one small bottle of lotion or liquid per head - more if the hair is thick.
Repeat the treatment 7 DAYS later.
Check the head 2-3 days after the second treatment. If you still find living, moving lice, ask your nurse/pharmacist/GP for advice.

Contact Tracing:

To stop you from being re-infected, it is important to find out where you caught the lice from and also who you may have given them to.
You probably caught them from a family member of close friend who does not know they have lice.

The problem won't go away ?

Did you:

use enough lotion or liquid?
apply it correctly?
let it dry naturally?
leave the lotion/liquid on for 12 hours?
use a second bottle 7 days after the first?
check all close family & friends?
check adults as well as children?
treat all infected contacts at the same time?

Remember:

It doesn't matter how many nits you have, or how itchy your scalp is - if you can't find a living, moving louse, you DON'T have head lice.

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice or substituted for professional advice. Always consult your doctor with your questions and concerns.