This is my first blog EVER, so naturally I chose to write about lice!!

Each August, kids squeeze every last minute out of summer, parents go back-to-school shopping, and pharmacies stock up on nit combs. Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and dish the dirt on lice.

The human head louse is a parasite that lives on the scalp, feeding on human blood. Lice have specialized legs that grip human head hair. Head lice do not spread disease, but can cause intense itching. The eggs of the louse are called “nits,” and the adult glues them to the hair shaft.

Lice outbreaks are associated with close personal contact, not with poor hygiene. Lice commonly spread in elementary schools and day care centers where children interact closely.

Avoid sharing hats, brushes, stuffed animals, towels, or pillows to help stop the spread of lice. Wash clothing and bed linens in hot water (>130 ⁰ F), vacuum often, and examine children regularly if an outbreak is suspected.

There are many treatments available to treat lice including non-drug, over-the-counter, and prescription treatments. You’ll notice the details depend on which method you use, so double check directions with the pharmacy. Not to be “nit-picky,” but incorrectly using the medication or method will leave you scratching your head.

Over-the-Counter Options 

• Rid: Apply to DRY hair and massage until wet. Leave on for 10 minutes. Add water, work into a lather, and rinse thoroughly. Comb hair through with nit comb. MUST repeat in 7 – 10 days.
• Nix: Apply to clean, towel-dried hair. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse thoroughly with water. Comb hair through with nit comb. May need to repeat in 7 – 10 days.

Prescription Options

• Permethrin 1% (Nix): Apply to clean, towel-dried hair. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse thoroughly with water. Comb hair through with nit comb. May repeat in 7 – 10 days.
• Permethrin 5% (Elimite): Apply to clean, dry hair and leave on overnight (8-14 hours) under shower cap. Then rinse thoroughly and comb hair through after rinsing.
• Malathion (Ovide): Apply to dry hair and scalp until moistened. Shampoo out after 8-12 hours. Avoid open flame while treating.

Non-Drug Options

• Daily wet combings: Wet hair with water and remove tangles with a comb. Start behind ears, separating hair into sections. Start at scalp and pull nit comb through to the end of hair. Wipe comb with a tissue or wet wipe and discard in plastic bag. Continue for hair all over head. Repeat until every part of head has been checked at least 5 times. When finished, tie up the plastic bag and discard in dumpster. Repeat combings daily for two (2) weeks. Wash comb under running tap water and use old toothbrush to clean. Wash comb in hot water for 10 minutes or store in freezer for 24 hours before re-using. This method requires a lot of time and persistence but is an option for those who would like to avoid the use of chemicals.

References:

Guidelines for Treatment of Pediculosis Capitis (Head Lice). Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection. August, 2008. Available from: http://www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/publications/head_lice_guidelines_for_treatment.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Head Lice. November 2010. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/index.html