Lice

Lice are small, gray-white bugs.  They lay eggs that stick to hair.  These are called "nits".  You can see these tiny gray shells most easily on the back of the neck and above the ears.  Lice need air to survive.  To get rid of lice, you can either smother them with a greasy substance or kill them with medicine.  If untreated, lice bites can make the scalp itch.  If the scalp is scratched, the skin can get infected.  Medicine prescribed by a doctor is needed to treat the secondary infection.

You can get lice from sharing combs, hats, clothes and beds with someone who has them.  If one family member has lice, all other members should check their hair for lice and nits for the next 2 weeks.

Important tips to help get rid of lice:

• Let your child's school or daycare know he has head lice.
• Follow the steps below for everyone in the family/ home.

1.      Take a warm, soapy bath.  Rinse and towel dry.

2.      Cover eyes with a dry towel.

3.      Shampoo hair and rinse well with warm water.

4.      Treatment options:

• Drowning method:  Place solid shortening (Crisco), petroleum jelly (Vaseline), or real mayonnaise (not Miracle Whip), on the hair.  Cover hair with a shower cap. Leave cap on for 8-10 hours, then wash the hair several times until clean.  (Dish detergent may be helpful in removing the oil.)
• Cetaphil Cleanser method:  One treatment that we have had great results with involves Cetaphil cleanser.  You must scroll down about 2/3 of the page to get the treatment page.
• OTC Medications:  Run NIX Cream Rinse or similar over-the-counter medicated rinse (found at any drug store) all over the hair and scalp.  Carefully, follow directions on the package to kill lice.  Rinse well with warm water. Be sure not get Nix rinse in the eyes.  Do not use NIX on children under two months of age.  Check with your doctor before using if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• "Quit Nits" is another non-toxic product available at some pharmacies.  Click here for more information.
• Prescription medications are available if other methods fail.  Please schedule an appointment to discuss these options.

5.      Comb hair with a fine-tooth comb or "Nit comb" to get out all the lice nits.  Nits are hard to get rid of.  You may use a vinegar water solution (1/2 vinegar mixed with 1/2 water) to help loosen the nits.  You may need to use your fingers to pull or scrape them off.

6.      Schools no longer enforce no nit policies.  Children are allowed to return to school once they've been treated, but if all nits are not removed, your child is at risk of getting live lice again soon!

7.      Dress you child in clean clothes after his body and hair are clean.

8.      Look at hair and scalp in 24 hours to make sure the lice and nits are gone.  If not, wet hair with a mixture of one-part water and one-part vinegar.  Comb the hair again with a fine- tooth comb until all the eggs are gone.  Mayonnaise, shortening or petroleum jelly or the cetaphil treatment may be used again if necessary.  If you see lice, you may use the NIX rinse again in 7 to 10 days.  Make an appointment with your doctor if you still see live bugs after 2 treatments.

9.      Wash all sheets, pillow cases, towels, stuffed animals, washcloths and clothing in hot water.  Put them in the dryer on high heat for 20 minutes to kill the nits.  Professionally dry clean clothes you can't wash.  If unable to dry clean, place items in a sealed, air tight plastic bag for 10 days.

10.     Wash all combs and brushes in hot, soapy water.  Put a little Nix in the water.

11.     Completely vacuum cloth-covered furniture and rugs to remove lice and nits.

Please visit Head Lice for more information on diagnosing head lice and treatment options.