Head Lice Has Entered the Group Chat

Your child has just brought home the letter parents dread to receive – head lice is in their classroom. But we know our readers follow the #smartnotstressed philosophy, so like the smart parent you are, you’re here on the Know & Grow blog to learn more and prepare yourself for the journey ahead! Let’s get into everything you need to know about lice including identification, treatment, and prevention.  

What Is Lice? 

Lice, also known as “louse” in the singular, are wingless, parasitic insects that feed on human blood. An infestation of head lice is called “pediculosis capitis”. This term comes from the Latin root “pēdicul”, meaning lice, paired with the suffix “-osis”, meaning a disease or condition of something, and finally, “capitis” – the Latin word for “head”. Though an itchy head does not guarantee lice, they crawl in areas with hair and famously cause an itchy head. Other reasons for an itchy head could include dandruff, skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, or an allergic reaction to hair products. 

To better understand if your child has lice, it’s important to know the 3 life cycles: nits, nymphs, and lice.  

Nits  

Nits are eggs; the very first stage of lice before they hatch and crawl. They can be found at the base of the hair, near the scalp, and are oftentimes mistaken for dandruff. The difference in appearance between dandruff and nits is that dandruff are flat white-ish flakes, but nits have a beige/yellow huge and are shaped like an oval. You can identify the differences more closely by using a magnifying glass.  

Nymphs 

When nits hatch, you get a nymph which has 3 life cycles before it turns into full blown lice. Nymphs are gray/white in hue and while they have legs and look like lice, they are much smaller – as small as the head of a pin. A nymph sheds their skin and grows in size to become an adult louse in their next phase.  

Lice 

This is the final phase of the life cycle.  Lice are about the size of a sesame seed, have a beige/brown hue, and crawl quickly across the hair and scalp with their six legs. They stick to the base of the hair so they can feed on the scalp. Without hair, they can’t adhere to the skin and will no longer have a host.  

How Does Lice Spread? 

It’s first important to note that lice are NOT a result of poor hygiene so don’t let stigma get to you. They spread very easily, especially among children, due to a number of factors, including: 

• Close contact, like hugging. 

• Sharing combs, hats, or scrunchies. 

• Rarely, sharing towels or sheets. 

Be mindful about your contact with unknown items out in public as well. Trying on hats, costumes, or head accessories in retail stores can also pose unknown risk.  

How To Manage Lice  

Other than completely getting rid of all hair on the head, there’s no one magic fix that works to eliminate lice, so take a multi-layered approach. As the phrase goes: throw the spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks! There are a few options you can take, including: 

Lice Combs 

These fine-tooth metal combs can be purchased online or at your local pharmacy and can catch all generations of lice. Combing can be very effective but can also be cumbersome and time consuming. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends supplementing combing with a chemical method, like shampoo or mousse treatment.  

Pros: Affordable, accessible.

Cons: Requires diligence and takes a lot of time, especially for long or thick hair.  

Lice Removal Professionals  

Often known as “lice fairies,” these are professionals who you can visit, and they will do an in-depth combing and shampooing treatment.  

Pros: These services are thorough and give you dedicated attention from a professional, who will do a manual removal and may give a supplemental chemical treatment.

Cons: These services can become costly and might not be covered by insurance.

Shampoo & Hair Products 

There are medicated shampoos containing human-safe insecticides, which are available over –the counter (OTC) and by prescription (Rx). The difference between the two is the types of ingredients used as well as their strength.  Look for ingredients like permethrin, a commonly used active ingredient in OTC treatments. You can start out with a readily available over-the-counter shampoo and consult your pediatrician about a prescription treatment if the OTC treatment isn’t doing the trick. Treatments vary, so be sure to follow the instructions that come with your chosen product for maximum effect.  

Pros: Affordable, accessible.

Cons: Many of the OTC shampoos often don’t kill nits, so you may have to do multiple treatments to kill the nits after they’ve hatched.  

Whichever options you go for, remember that everyone in your household should get treatment of some sort, so you can avoid the spread as much as possible.  

Don’t Skip Laundry Day!  

Because lice easily spread, take the time to clean your home. Be sure to wash sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and stuffed toys. Hot water kills lice, so wash them in hot water, and do it twice if you’re still seeing nits.  

What To Do After Treatment  

Gone are the days where everyone has to stay home after a lice diagnosis. Once everyone in your home has received at least 1 treatment, your child can usually return to school and activities.  Remind your child the importance of not sharing hats, scrunchies, and combs and you’re all set. 

Head Lice Myths vs. Facts 

Myth: Head lice can jump. 

Fact: Lice can’t jump or hop from head-to-head, but they can crawl, so avoid close contact like hugging to avoid the spread. 

Myth: You can get lice from your pets and vice-versa.

Fact: Head lice feed on human blood, so they won’t affect your pets. Ticks are a different story!  

Myth: Head lice are a sign of poor hygiene.

Fact: Lice are not an indicator of poor hygiene. In fact, head lice are common, with an estimated 6 – 12 million infestations among children 3 – 11 years old annually in the United States*.  

Prevention > Treatment  

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! If you’re reading this and aren’t currently dealing with lice, take this opportunity to teach your child the fundamentals of prevention, including not sharing items that go in your hair or on your head. If they know a friend or classmate has lice, they can still play with their friend (reduce the stigma!) but should just avoid close contact like hugging.  

We’ve also seen preventative rosemary shampoos that claim to be a lice repellent. It probably won’t hurt to use it and may smell nice, but there isn’t currently evidence to prove its effectiveness. 

Ready To Be Itch Free? 

If you’re dealing with lice in your home, we hope this has been helpful to resolve your concerns and prepare you for the days ahead. Lice management can be a struggle, so be sure to give yourself some grace as you navigate the process. You’ve got this!  

*Source: CDC