HEAD LICE

Head lice affect thousands of children every year.  They are very small wingless insects that suck blood from the scalp to stay alive and consequently cause severe itching. 

Their colour varies from whitish brown to reddish brown.  They are very tiny and can barely be seen with the eyes alone.  Each louse in only about two to four millimetres long - no bigger than the head of a pin.

The claws of each leg enable the lice to hold onto hair shafts and they are able to run very quickly through a head of hair.  Headlice ( pediculus capitis ) are parasites, which means they live off other living things.  Once a louse is living in the hair, it reproduces and lays eggs, commonly known as nits.

These nits look like tiny white blobs that are attached to the hair shaft, usually within 1.5cm from the scalp.  Once the nits hatch, the new lice begin to draw blood form the scalp, causing the skin to become irritated and itchy.

The detection of nits leads to the identification of a head lice problem.  Further evidence of head lice may be seen on bed linen in the form of a dark powder, created through lice excreta and skin castings.

Contrary to the perception that lice are found only in children with dirty hair, it has been shown they can actually prefer clean hair. 

Although nits cannot fly or jump, they can only crawl, these creatures are particularly transient and can easily spread to other people's heads.

 Sharing clothing and bedding items such as;

•  sheets

•  blankets

•  pillowcases

•  sleeping bags

 will help spread lice, as can sharing ;

• hats

•  combs

•  brushes

•  ribbons

•  head bands.

A range of specific treatments are available to help get rid of infestations.  If a child is infected with head lice it is important to treat other family members or others who come in close contact. 

The hair should be shampooed as recommended by the manufacturer.  A special fine-toothed comb should be used to comb out the nits that are stuck to the hair shaft.  A normal hair comb will not do the job.  When combing out the hair, it is important to remember to comb the hair as if to tease, then comb out.  Do this job over a piece of brown paper to catch the dead nits and their eggs.  Once done, wrap the paper up and discard..

One application may not be enough, so treatment may include two applications seven days apart.  This will ensure that all lice are killed along with any eggs that may have hatched over consecutive days.

When head lice have been a problem, a shampoo and conditioner with a base of tea tree oil may be used as a preventative for further outbreaks.

• Bedding

• Clothing

• Hats

• Stuffed Animals

should be washed in water that's hot enough to kill any lice that may be living there.

• Combs

• Brushes

• Hair Accessories

should also be washed in boiling water.