What are HEAD LICE?
- Head lice (Pediculosis) are tiny, wingless insects that may live on the skin, hair, or temporarily on clothing. Head lice are usually about the size of a sesame seed and are tan, white or brownish in color.
- Head lice lay tiny eggs which can often be seen on the base of the hair shaft near the scalp (the hatched eggs are called nits).
- Head lice live in the hair on the head and on the scalp; body lice live on the body (also called scabies); and pubic lice (also called crabs) live in the groin, underarms and eyelashes.
- Head lice are found only on humans.  They are not found in the dirt, in the air or on pets and they do not fly, jump or swim.

Causes of HEAD LICE
- Head lice are spread by close physical contact or contact with the clothing, bedding, brushes, or combs of an infected person.  Head lice are not transmitted in a pool or lake.
- Personal hygiene is not a determining factor of a head lice infestation.
- Cutting hair will not prevent or cure an infestation and is not necessary.
- Interesting note: African Americans are reported to have a much lower incidence of head lice than Caucasians (Less than 1 in 200 compared to 1 in 10 respectively).

Symptoms of HEAD LICE
- Many times, head lice do not have any symptoms.
- Itching and irritation of the infected  is due to the biting of skin by the head lice. 
- Secondary infections may occur in rare instances.
- Head lice crawl quickly away from disturbances in the hair and exposure to light.
- Head lice and nits can be seen with the naked eye and easily seen with a 10X hand lens.
- Head lice are not found below the head.

Treatment of HEAD LICE
- Non-prescription products are available to kill the lice and most eggs.  (Specific products may be recommended by a physician or pharmacist.)
- All eggs and nits must be physically combed out with a special nit comb.  Normal washing and brushing will not do it!
- Lice can only live off of the head for a maximum of about 72 hours although most die within a day.
- On the day treatment is started, items which can be washed (clothing, bedding, towels, etc.) may be washed in hot water and dried in the dryer. Iron clothes that cannot be washed and vacuum furniture and carpets.  Brushes and combs can be soaked in hot water (at least 130 degrees) or alcohol for at least 10 minutes.
- Items which can not be cleaned or washed may be sealed in a plastic bags for 2 weeks.
- Shampooing with a lice killing shampoo to prevent an infestation from occurring has not been shown to be effective and is not recommended.

More Monographs   •   Disclaimer   •   Pharmacist Jobs   •   Nursing Jobs   •   CE   •   R.Ph & RN Salary Data
This information is of a general nature and may not apply to your special circumstances. If you have specific questions, please contact your physician or an appropriate health care professional.  These monographs are counseling aids for healthcare professionals only and are not to be used as a reference to diagnose or treat medical conditions.          Copyright 2005 RXinsider LTD