Head Lice Information
Get the Facts about Head Lice:
- FACT: Head lice, known as pediculosis, are wingless parasites that only survive by feeding on the human scalp. They cannot live on pets.
- FACT: Poor hygiene does not promote pediculosis. Head lice prefer clean hair. It is easier for them to move around and smell blood in clean hair.
- FACT: Head lice move around by crawling. Their legs have hooked- like claws that cannot adhere to any smooth surfaces. They do not fly, hop, or jump.
- FACT: Head lice are spread by direct contact with the hair of an infested person in over 90% of cases. Shared brushes, combs, hats, headbands are other modes of transmission.
- FACT: Head lice prefer certain blood types. If you have previously had a case of head lice, you are more prone to getting it again.
- FACT: If you find more head lice 3-4 weeks after treatment, you never got rid of it.
- FACT: Head lice are found in countries all over the world.
- FACT: Head lice have been around since the beginning of time. Scientists have even removed head lice from prehistoric mummies; Cleopatra was buried with her gold nit comb.
- FACT: Head lice are not a medical or public health hazard and are not known to spread disease, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Basically, head lice are a nuisance.
- FACT: Head lice are most commonly found in 2-11 year-olds.
- FACT: Although head lice can be found at any time, generally, there is a rise in cases following summer vacations and school breaks.
- FACT: Itching with head lice is caused by an allergic reaction to the lice bites and not everyone is allergic to them. Generally, it takes a month or more for an infested person to develop itching.
- FACT: Regular shampoo does not have any effect on head lice. In fact, head lice do not drown in swimming pools; blow dryers and flatirons do not kill head lice.
- FACT: Head lice rarely leave a healthy head. Two Australian studies proved this: In 1 study, 118 carpeted classroom floors were examined and found to be free of lice despite more than 14,000 live lice found on the heads of 466 children using these classrooms. In a second study, live lice were found on only 4% of pillowcases used by infested volunteers.” It is a matter of survival; head lice do not readily leave a scalp.
- FACT: Per the American Academy of Pediatrics, “no healthy child should be excluded from or allowed to miss school time because of head lice."
BE PROACTIVE: PREVENT THE SPREAD
Please check your child’s head once a week. We recommend checking on Friday. By checking on Friday, you have the weekend to discuss your concern with your child’s healthcare provider and treat as recommended. Your child does not miss school and you do not miss work. By examining the hair once a week you can note subtle changes in your child’s scalp. This allows for earlier treatment, helping to prevent the spread to other family members and friends. Inspect using a bright light. Pay careful attention to the hair shafts within a ½ inch of the scalp. Since hair lice do not encapsulate the hair, you need to examine all sides of the hair shaft. A rattail comb is helpful in making thin parts in the hair. Since head lice need less than a ½ inch of hair to survive, any child with hair should be checked. So make Fridays family night: order pizza, put on a movie and check your child’s scalp!
Since head lice are spread from head to head contact, wearing long hair in ponytails, braids or messy buns can limit contact. Children should be discouraged from hugging and putting their heads together. Indirect spread through contact with personal belongings (combs, brushes, hats) is much less likely but may occur.
If your child is treated for head lice, please inform the school nurses. Your child may return to school after proper treatment. The child should be brought to school by a parent. The school nurse will check your child’s head for any sign of head lice. If cleared, your child may return to class. Due to privacy issues, the school nurse is not able to discuss specific cases of pediculosis. It is parent/ guardian responsibility to notify anyone the infested child has had contact with during the past month. Remember, your child is still playing with the same children/ teammates. Once you have treated your child, you do not want your child to be re-infested. It is your responsibility to inform these contacts.
But I don’t know what I am looking for…
As always, your school nurses are willing to assist you in identifying head lice. However, there is a wealth of information on head lice prevention, identification, and treatment from reliable sources on the internet. Images, videos and written material are only a click away. The following sites provide accurate information on head lice. Please note: this is NOT an endorsement for any products or services that may be mentioned. Please consult your healthcare provider for his/ her preferred method of treatment.
Resources:
NJDOH Frequently Asked Questions
NIH National Library of Medicine
Informational videos include: