Anyone can get head lice. They are common in classrooms and day care centres because children play so closely together. Head lice do not cause or carry disease. Having dirty hair does not cause head lice. You cannot get them from your pets.

Head lice are small insects that live on the scalp. While they may be found anywhere on the head, they prefer to live on the scalp along the neckline and behind the ears. When lice bite the scalp they cause itching.

Head lice are not easy to see. They are about the size of a sesame seed, with no wings. They are usually greyish white or brown. They cannot live for more than 2-3 days away from the scalp.

Lice lay eggs called nits. Nits are small, oval and yellowish white. Each nit is firmly attached to a hair and cannot be washed out or flicked off like dandruff. Nits more than ½ inch (1 cm.) away from the scalp are dead or have hatched.

You find lice on the hair or scalp.  There are usually no more than 10-20 live lice.  They can be hard to find.

You find nits on the hair strand close to the scalp.

• Check your child's head for lice and nits once a week all year long.
• Remind children to store their clothing away from other children's clothing if possible.
• Braid or tie back long hair.
• Teach your children how lice are spread and not to share brushes, combs or head gear.
  

Check everyone in the home for head lice.

Treat all household members who have head lice promptly and at the same time. Treat bedmates.

There are a number of very effective treatments for head lice. They all contain an insecticide that kills the lice. They are pyrethrin (found in R&C shampoo/conditioner). permethrin (Nix or Kwellada-P) and lindane (PMS-Lindane shampoo).

Pyrethrin and permethrin are generally safe to humans. Lindane however can be toxic. Products with lindane should not be used on infants or young children.

Tell the pharmacist if anyone being treated is pregnant, breastfeeding, under six years of age, has allergies or a serious health problem.

A pharmacist, doctor or public health nurse can help you choose the best product for you.

Be sure to re-treat 7-10 days after the first treatment.

If live lice (not nits) are found in the hair 24 to 48 hours after a treatment with one product, use a different treatment product and repeat this treatment 7-10 days later.

To help the treatment be more effective:

• Read and follow the package directions carefully.
• Start your timing for the treatment after it has been put on the entire scalp. If your child has very long hair, you may need to use a second bottle.
• Wash hair with plain shampoo (no conditioner) to remove any hair products before you treat with a lice product.
• Try not to shampoo for a week after each treatment to allow the product to work well.
• Do not use regular conditioners or combined shampoo and conditioner until a week after the second treatment.
• Try to avoid swimming in a pool for 7 to 10 days after the treatments or wear a bathing cap that fits well.
• Vinegar rinses should also be avoided as it may make the treatment less effective.
• Avoid unnecessary contact with the product since it can be absorbed through the skin. .

The child may return to school and other activities once the first treatment has been done.

Nits should be removed daily starting right after the first treatment and for at least 2 weeks after the second treatment.

To remove nits:

• Sit under a bright light or by a window.
• Find a quiet activity to occupy your child, like a video or book.
• Pull off individual nits by grasping between fingertips (or tweezers) and sliding off the end of the strand of hair, OR
• Comb hair with a fine-toothed nit comb. Put comb as close to the scalp as possible and pull to the end of the hair strand.
• Use clips to section off the hair to work on one area at a time.
• Wipe nits from the comb using tissues and place in a plastic bag. Seal the bag and throw it out.

Examine all of the household members for head lice and nits everyday for 3 weeks after the first treatment.

Soak all personal hair care items such as combs, barrettes, etc. in very hot water for 10 minutes. Repeat this daily until the lice are gone.

Wash bedding and washable clothing that came into contact with the head within the last 48 hours with hot water for 20 minutes. Dry using the hottest setting on the dryer. All non-washables should be dry cleaned OR placed in a sealed plastic bag for 10 days, or for 48 hours at -10° C.

There is no need to vacuum or wash floors, carpets or furniture, though some people feel more comfortable doing this.

Do not use household sprays or lice sprays. They do not work and may be harmful to people.

Many home recipes and products sold in stores are based on mixtures of essential oils (eucalyptus, lavender, tea tree, etc), salts or other natural substances. Some people have used oils like mayonnaise, olive oil and Vaseline or hair gels to try to smother lice. There is no proof that either of these work.

For more information, contact your local public health office.

For free, 24 hour, immediate professional health advice and information, call HealthLine at 1-877-800-0002.