Look carefully through the hair for live lice and nits. Use a bright light. Use a magnifying glass if you have one. Spread the hair with a comb and look at the scalp. Lice crawl very fast, but they do not fly or jump. Look for eggs on the hair close to the scalp. Lice like to live in warm spots. They are often found on the hair behind the ears or where the hair meets the neck. Look for open sores and scabs on the head.
If you are not sure if a person has head lice, the diagnosis should be made by their health care provider or local health department.
All household members and other close contacts should be checked; those persons with evidence of an active infestation should be treated.
Public Health does not require reporting of a head lice infestation. However, it may be beneficial for the sake of others to share information with school nurses, parents of classmates, and others about contact with head lice.
Many head lice products are available, talk to a health professional about the best product to use.
Read all instructions carefully and follow them step by step so that the product will work. Some products say that only one treatment is needed. But, no lice product kills all of the eggs, so a second treatment 7 to 10 days after the first treatment is needed. This will kill the newly hatched lice. Do not use conditioners, gels, hairspray, oils or mousse for the duration of the treatment. Use only plain shampoo. Do not use homemade remedies. There is no evidence that they work.
Call your doctor or pharmacist before you use any product if:
- anyone has allergies to chrysanthemums, ragweed, synthetic pyrethroids, etc.
- anyone has a seizure disorder
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding and you need treatment or you need to treat other people
- your child is under 2 years old
- you find lice on eyebrows, eyelashes or beard
- the skin of the scalp is broken or infected
- head lice continue to re-occur
Removing eggs after the treatment makes it easier to see new lice.
- Sit under a bright light.
- Let your child read, watch television or a video to keep busy.
- Comb the hair to get rid of tangles. Hold a small lock of hair and comb the other hair out of the way. Pin long hair away from the piece you are working with.
- Slide each egg off the hair using your thumbnail and fingernail. Put the eggs in a bag to throw away when you are done. After taking all the eggs off a lock of hair, move to the next section. Pin back long hair or make small ponytails to keep the clean hair away from the hair you have not done yet. Keep sliding eggs off until you remove all the eggs.
- Check the hair 2 times a week for 4 weeks to make sure all the eggs are gone.
Items that touch the head such as hats, pillowcases, combs and brushes need to be washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer for at least 15 min; or store the items in an airtight plastic bag for 2 weeks.
