Head lice are tiny insects, but as they have no wings they cannot fly. They do however have strong claws that enable them to swing from hair to hair. They cannot jump.
Head lice do not cause disease or illness but are a nuisance and can be difficult to manage. Anyone can get head lice and infestations are very common in school children. This is due to children playing in close proximity to each other.
Head lice can only survive on human heads. They live on the hair and suck blood from the scalp. The female louse lays 5 to 12 eggs per day. Eggs are sometimes called 'nits' and remain strongly glued to the hair even after hatching.
Because the eggs need the warmth and moisture of the scalp in order to hatch, they will be found up to 1.5cm from the scalp. Eggs that are further than 1.5cm from the scalp are either dead or hatched, and do not need treatment.
Detection
Head lice have been around for many thousands of years. Anyone can get head lice and given the chance head lice move from head to head without discrimination.
- Head lice are small, wingless, blood sucking insects.
- Their colour varies from whitish-brown to reddish-brown.
- People get head lice from direct hair to hair contact with another person who has head lice.
- Head lice do not have wings or jumping legs so they cannot fly or jump from head to head. They can only crawl.
Finding head lice
Lice can crawl and hide. The easiest and most effective way to find them is to follow these steps:
Step 1
Comb any type of hair conditioner on to dry, brushed (detangled) hair. This stuns the lice and makes it difficult for them to grip the hair or crawl around.
Step 2
Now comb sections of the hair with a fine tooth, head lice comb.
Step 3
Wipe the conditioner from the comb onto a paper towel or tissue.
Step 4
Look on the tissue and on the comb for lice and eggs.
Step 5
Repeat the combing for every part of the head at least 4 or 5 times
If lice or eggs are found, the child's hair should be treated.
Adult lice are easy to see. Young lice and eggs are more difficult. You may need a magnifying glass. Dandruff and hair particles can be mistaken for eggs.
The Life Cycle of Head Lice
- Egg is laid on hair shaft. Egg is called a 'nit'.
- Louse emerges after 6-7 days.
- First moult 2 days after hatching.
- Second moult 5 days after hatching.
- Third moult 10 days after hatching.
- Emerging from their third moult as adult lice, the female and slightly similar male begin to reproduce.
- Female lays first egg 1 or 2 days after mating.
- Female can lay approximately 3 to 8 eggs per day for the next 16 days.
- Having lived 32 to 35 days the louse dies.
Treating head lice
The following information will assist in treating head lice:
- Chemical treatment is available in the form of lotions and shampoos which are available from a chemist.
- Concentrate on the head - there is no evidence to suggest that you need to clean the house or classroom.
- No treatment kills 100% of the eggs so treatment must involve repeat applications usually seven days apart (refer to product directions).
- If you are using lotions, apply the product to dry hair.
- There is no need to treat the whole family, unless they also have head lice.
- Only the pillowcase requires specific laundering; either wash it in hot water (at least 60 degrees centigrade) or dry it using a clothes dryer on the hot or warm setting.
- There is no product available that prevents head lice. Using the conditioner and comb method once a week will help you detect any head lice early and minimise the problem. Tying back long hair can help prevent the spread of head lice.
- Combs with long, rounded stainless steel teeth positioned very close together have been shown to be the most effective, however, any head lice comb can be used.
- It is important that all eggs (nits) close to the scalp are removed, for effective treatment of head lice.
More information
For further information on head lice contact