Checking for Head Lice

What are head lice and nits?

• Head lice are tiny grey/brown insects. They are about the size of a sesame seed (the seeds on burger buns). Head lice cling to hairs, but stay close to the scalp which they feed off. Head lice lay eggs which hatch after 7-10 days. It takes about 10 days for a newly hatched louse to grow to an adult and start to lay eggs.
• Nits are the empty white egg shells that are left when the lice hatch. Nits look like dandruff, but stick strongly to hair. Unlike dandruff, you cannot easily brush out nits.

How can you tell if you have head lice?

An itchy scalp occurs in some cases. However, many affected people have no symptoms, but can still pass lice on to others. Head lice are difficult to find just by looking in the hair. If you suspect that you or your child have head lice, it is best to do 'detection combing' (described below). Some people advise that you do this to children's hair regularly, about once a week.

• Wash the hair in the normal way with ordinary shampoo.
• Rinse out the shampoo and put on lots of ordinary conditioner.
• Comb the hair with a normal comb to get rid of tangles.
• When the hair is untangled switch to a detection comb. This is a special fine-toothed comb. (The teeth of normal combs are too far apart.) Some pharmacies stock these. You can also get them by mail order from:
  Community Hygiene Concern Tel: 020 7686 4321 Web: www.nits.net
• Slot the teeth of the detection comb into the hair at the roots so it is touching the scalp.
• Draw the detection comb through to the tips of the hair.
• Make sure that all parts of the hair are combed by working around the head.
• Check the comb for lice after each stroke. A magnifying glass may help.
• If you see any lice, clean the comb by wiping it on a tissue or rinse it before the next stroke.
• After the whole head has been combed, rinse out the conditioner.
• It takes about 15-60 minutes to do detection combing properly, depending on how thick and long the hair is.

What should I do if I find head lice?

See a pharmacist, practice nurse, or GP for advice on treatment. Briefly, treatment options include:

• Medicated lotions. You can buy lotions that kill lice from pharmacies. You can also get them on prescription. The treatment involves two aplications - seven days apart. A lotion will work in most cases, but not all.
• A wet combing treatment is an option if you do not want to use lotions. To get rid of head lice you need to do a wet combing session at least four times, every four days.

All people in the same home, and other close 'head to head' contacts of the previous 4-6 weeks should be contacted. Tell them to look for lice and treat if they find any. All people with head lice in the same home should be treated at the same time. This stops lice being passed around again.