Head Lice 5/10/2010
What are head lice?
Head Lice (singular – louse) are external, human parasites. A head louse attaches its eggs to the base of a hair strand, close to the scalp. The nymph which hatches from the egg develops in 3 stages to an adult after 7 – 10 days, and dies within two or three weeks, after a life of constant feeding, mating and egg-laying.
How are head lice spread?
Head lice are spread by physical contact between humans. When they are removed from the host's head and placed under the microscope, they appear sluggish and clumsy, but at the temperature of the human scalp and amongst the hairs for which their bodies are adapted, they are quite active, and can easily change hosts during brief moments of contact. Thus they spread most rapidly between children. In this way, the average louse may spend its day on several heads.
Head Lice Quick Facts
- Nits (the eggs of the head louse) are small yellowish-white, oval-shaped eggs that are "to the side of a hair shaft glued" at an angle
- Nits must be laid by live lice. You cannot "catch nits."
- Once laid, it takes 7-10 days for a nit to hatch, and another 7-10 days for the female to mature and begin laying her own eggs.
- Head lice are clear in color when hatched, then quickly develop a reddish-brown color after feeding.
- Head lice are about the size of sesame seeds.
- Head lice have six legs equipped with claws to grasp the hair.
- Head lice are crawling insects. They cannot hop, jump, or fly.
- Head lice do not thrive on pets.
- Head lice are small, wingless insects which feed on human blood. They need human blood in order to survive.
- Head lice live for approximately 30 days on a host and a female louse may lay up to 100 nits (eggs).
- Head lice off of their human hosts will starve. The National Pediculosis Association suggests that, in most cases, a head louse will not survive for more than 24 hours off of its human host.
10 Steps to staying ahead of head lice
- Watch for signs of head lice, such as frequent head scratching. Anyone can get head lice... mainly by head-to-head contact but also from sharing hats, brushes and headrests. Lice do not jump or fly.
- Check all family members for lice and nits at least once a week. Only those infested should be treated. Lice are reddish-brown wingless insects, nits are grayish-white, always oval shaped, and are glued at an angle to the side of the hair shaft.
- Be sure not to confuse nits with hair debris such as bright irregularly shaped clumps of dandruff stuck to the hair shaft or elongated segments of dandruff encircling the hair shaft and easily dislodged. Lice treatment is not appropriate for hair debris.
- Consult your pharmacist or physician before applying or using lice treatment pesticides when the person involved is pregnant, nursing, has allergies, asthma, epilepsy, has pre-existing medical conditions, or has lice or nits in the eyebrows or eyelashes. Never use a pesticide on or near the eyes.
- Remember, all lice-killing products are pesticides. If you choose to purchase an over-the-counter treatment, follow the directions carefully and use with caution. If the product fails, do not switch to other over-the-counter treatments or use any prescription products as a "last resort". This can be potentially harmful. Manual removal is the safe alternative and a necessary component to any head lice treatment regimen.
- Follow package directions carefully. Use the product over the sink, not in the tub or shower. Always keep the eyes covered.
- Remove all nits. This assures total lice treatment. Separate hair in sections and remove all attached nits with a lice comb, baby safety scissors, or your fingernails.
- Wash bedding and recently worn clothing in hot water and dry in a hot dryer. Combs and brushes may be soaked in hot water (not boiling) for 10 minutes.
- Avoid lice sprays! Vacuuming is the safest and best way to remove lice or fallen hairs with attached nits from upholstered furniture, rugs, stuffed animals and car seats.
- Notify your child's school, camp, child care provider, neighborhood parents, etc. when you discover a lice outbreak. Check for lice on a regular basis. This is the best way to protect your family and community.
How can I learn more about head lice?
Go online to www.headlice.org or to www.headliceinfo.com to get more information about head lice.