Head Lice

Common Illnesses
Contagious Diseases
Lifelong Health Issues
Unavoidable Conditions

Diaper Rash

Frost Bite

Head Lice

Oral Thrush, Vaginal Yeast

Pink Eye/Conjunctivitis

Pinworms

Ringworm

Ticks

Why Kids Get Sick So Often
When To Call The Doctor
When To Send Your Child to Daycare
Safe Use of Antibiotics

Head Lice

Some people call head lice gross, icky, and disgusting. Others prefer to view them as tenacious, tricky little insects that, while hard to eliminate, are not dangerous to humans or pets. Nor are they a reflection on your housekeeping or your child's cleanliness. Head lice actually prefer nice clean hair.

Lice are tiny insects that feed on human blood. Head lice are about as big as sesame seeds and live on the human scalp. Lice cannot fly or jump from one person to another; they can only crawl. Lice can be passed around on shared combs, brushes, hats, or through direct head-to-head contact.

Most often you'll hear the dread words "head lice" from either the school nurse or your day-care provider. Many schools have a policy requiring that infested children be removed from school pending effective treatment.

The most common symptom of lice infestation is itching. Although this is not always present, itching occurs when lice bite and suck blood from the scalp. This creates a reaction with the human scalp. If you notice your child scratching his or her head often, especially behind the ears or at the nape of the neck, check for lice. Also do frequent checks when you know of a lice outbreak in your child's school.

Lice hatch from eggs called nits. Nits are smaller than lice and vary in color from yellowish-brown to white and are teardrop shaped. Also, the term "nit" or "eggs" can be used interchangeably.

Nits are attached to hair with a glue-like substance that cannot just be washed out or blown away.

Nits can be found on the hair shaft, close to the scalp.

Nits must be combed out of the hair with an extremely fine toothcomb especially designed for this purpose.

Nits hatch in about one week. They are fully mature in about 9 to 12 days after hatching. Female lice are capable of laying eggs once they reach maturity.

Head lice can survive for up to a day off the human scalp, on personal items, stuffed animals and household surfaces, clothing or bed linen. All of these items that belong to the child who has had lice, or anything he/she may have come in contact with, should be properly cleaned. If these lice are not killed, a new outbreak can occur

To effectively get rid of lice you must follow a step-by-step program that includes:

Hair treatment with either a prescription or over-the-counter product with a follow-up treatment as proscribed 7-10 days following the initial treatment.

Launder all bedding and pillows in HOT water -- at least 130 degrees F, and then dry in a hot dryer for 20 minutes.

Launder all coats, scarves, hats in HOT water, or place in a plastic bag and freeze for three days.

Remove all stuffed animals and other items that cannot be washed and, place them in plastic bags, and freeze for three days OR isolate in the plastic bag for 14 days (2 full week) if freezing is not an option. After 14 days open the bag outdoors and shake the items vigorously.

COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES & INFECTIONS | YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT
PARENTING CHALLENGES | RESOURCES AND INFORMATION | ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
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Healthworks on Videotape

If you missed seeing Healthworks on Prairie Public Television, you still have a chance to keep up to date with these important health issues. Order a videotape copy of any of these interesting and informative programs for only $24.95 per program. Order online or call 1-800-359-6900 to order your copies today.

© 2001 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.

Common Illnesses Contagious Diseases Lifelong Health Issues Unavoidable Conditions Diaper Rash Frost Bite Head Lice Oral Thrush, Vaginal Yeast Pink Eye/Conjunctivitis Pinworms Ringworm Ticks Why Kids Get Sick So Often When To Call The Doctor When To Send Your Child to Daycare Safe Use of Antibiotics		Head Lice Some people call head lice gross, icky, and disgusting. Others prefer to view them as tenacious, tricky little insects that, while hard to eliminate, are not dangerous to humans or pets. Nor are they a reflection on your housekeeping or your child's cleanliness. Head lice actually prefer nice clean hair. Lice are tiny insects that feed on human blood. Head lice are about as big as sesame seeds and live on the human scalp. Lice cannot fly or jump from one person to another; they can only crawl. Lice can be passed around on shared combs, brushes, hats, or through direct head-to-head contact. Most often you'll hear the dread words "head lice" from either the school nurse or your day-care provider. Many schools have a policy requiring that infested children be removed from school pending effective treatment. The most common symptom of lice infestation is itching. Although this is not always present, itching occurs when lice bite and suck blood from the scalp. This creates a reaction with the human scalp. If you notice your child scratching his or her head often, especially behind the ears or at the nape of the neck, check for lice. Also do frequent checks when you know of a lice outbreak in your child's school. Lice hatch from eggs called nits. Nits are smaller than lice and vary in color from yellowish-brown to white and are teardrop shaped. Also, the term "nit" or "eggs" can be used interchangeably. Nits are attached to hair with a glue-like substance that cannot just be washed out or blown away. Nits can be found on the hair shaft, close to the scalp. Nits must be combed out of the hair with an extremely fine toothcomb especially designed for this purpose. Nits hatch in about one week. They are fully mature in about 9 to 12 days after hatching. Female lice are capable of laying eggs once they reach maturity. Head lice can survive for up to a day off the human scalp, on personal items, stuffed animals and household surfaces, clothing or bed linen. All of these items that belong to the child who has had lice, or anything he/she may have come in contact with, should be properly cleaned. If these lice are not killed, a new outbreak can occur To effectively get rid of lice you must follow a step-by-step program that includes: Hair treatment with either a prescription or over-the-counter product with a follow-up treatment as proscribed 7-10 days following the initial treatment. Launder all bedding and pillows in HOT water -- at least 130 degrees F, and then dry in a hot dryer for 20 minutes. Launder all coats, scarves, hats in HOT water, or place in a plastic bag and freeze for three days. Remove all stuffed animals and other items that cannot be washed and, place them in plastic bags, and freeze for three days OR isolate in the plastic bag for 14 days (2 full week) if freezing is not an option. After 14 days open the bag outdoors and shake the items vigorously.
		COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES & INFECTIONS \| YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT PARENTING CHALLENGES \| RESOURCES AND INFORMATION \| ABOUT THIS PROGRAM BACK TO PRAIRIE PUBLIC TELEVISION \| RETURN TO PRAIRIEPUBLIC.ORG HOME PAGE
		Missed A Program? Healthworks on Videotape If you missed seeing Healthworks on Prairie Public Television, you still have a chance to keep up to date with these important health issues. Order a videotape copy of any of these interesting and informative programs for only $24.95 per program. Order online or call 1-800-359-6900 to order your copies today.
		© 2001 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.