Lice Awareness, Prevention and Treatment

September is lice awareness month. Head lice are a normal part of childhood. Nearly 1 out of ever 10 have had head lice at one time or another. Those that have experienced head lice know what a hassle it is to treat head lice and how frustrating the process is

Pediculus humanus capitis or head lice as it is commonly known is an insect of the order Psocodea can only be hosted by humans. They feed on only blood several times daily and resides close to the scalp where body temp can be maintained. Head lice infest on the head and neck and attach their eggs to the base of the hair shaft. Lice crawl but do not hop or fly. Over the counter and prescribed treatments can treat the infestation.

School can often be a breeding ground for head lice. With many children being gathered closely together the impact of head lice can be great. Head lice crawl from person to person when close contact is made. Some think that head lice can be spread through other means besides human to human contact but they are not true. These myths include

• pets such as cats and dogs can pass head lice This is not true as the lice that affect humans only live on human blood
• Lice can not determine between clean and not clean so head lice can affect both those that are spotifying clean as well as those that can be disgustingly not so clean

Lice can be shared from person to person through human to human direct contact as well as

• wearings hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms or hair ribbons that we worn by an infested person
• using combs, brushes or towels that were used by infested person
• if an infested person has laid on bed, couch, pillow, carpet, or stuffed animal the louse can live for no more than 24 hours

An average of 6 million to 12 million infestations occur each year in the United States. Most cases are among the age group of 3 to 11 year olds. One of the best ways to check for head lice is through wet head check. Wet head lice checks are 95% more accurate in determining head lice infestation over a simple visual spot check. This is why it is suggested that families perform weekly wet head lice checks. It is also important to not share hair accessories or hats, helmets, sweatshirts or coats. 

For anyone diagnosed with an active infestation treatment should take place. In addition, all household members and close contacts should be checked and treated as well. Some medications will require retreating a few days later as well. All items such as hats, scarves, pillow cases, bedding , clothing and towels used by the infested individual should be washed and dried in hot  water and hot air cycles. The heat will kill lice and eggs when exposed for 5 minutes Items that can not be laundered should be sealed in plastic bag for 2 weeks. Vacuum furniture and floors to remove infested persons hairs that might have nits on them.