BROWARD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

 

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  The Facts on Head Lice

 

Text Box: Head Lice are common among children and adults in schools and institutions everywhere. What are head lice?  Head lice are tiny insects that live primarily on the head and scalp and are found only on humans.  They suck blood, and the rash caused by their feeding activities may be more noticeable than the insects themselves.  Head lice attach their eggs at the base of a hair shaft.  These eggs, or nits, appear as tiny white or dark ovals and are especially noticeable on the back of the neck and around the ears.  Adult head lice cannot survive for more than 10 days apart from the human host.                                                  

 

How are head lice spread?  Head lice are primarily spread through direct head to head contact.  Sharing personal items such as hats, brushes, combs, and linens may play a role in their spread between children and adults.

 

Who gets head lice?  People of all ages are at risk for infection.  The occurrence is world wide and outbreaks of head lice are common among children and adults in schools and institutions everywhere.

 

How can head lice be prevented? 

*   Health education of the public on the value of early detection, safe and thorough treatment of the hair, laundering clothing and bedding in hot water, dry cleaning or setting dryers at hot cycles to destroy head lice.

*   Avoid physical contact with infested individuals and their belongings, especially clothing and bedding.

*   Regular direct inspection of children in a group setting for head lice.

*   Temporarily exclude the child with lice from school or the child care setting until treated.

*   To assure effective treatment, check previously treated children for any evidence of new infection.

*   Household members and close personal contacts should be treated if they have evidence of lice.

 

What is the treatment for head lice?  Specific medicated shampoos, rinses, or lotions developed for head lice are recommended.  These treatments are very powerful insecticides and may be toxic if not used only as recommended.

 

For further information, contact the Broward County Health Department at 954/847-3568.

 

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