Nits and Head Lice

Nits and head lice are a common problem that affects millions of people worldwide, particularly children. Head lice are tiny, wingless insects that live on human hair and feed on blood. Nits are the eggs laid by female lice, which hatch into new lice after about 7-10 days.

What are the Symptoms?

• Itching: The most common symptom of head lice is itching, particularly on the scalp, behind the ears, and on the back of the neck.
• Redness and Irritation: The skin may become red and irritated due to scratching or the lice bites themselves.
• Visible Lice or Nits: In some cases, live lice or nits can be seen on the hair or scalp, particularly around the ears, neck, and shoulders.
• Small Red Bumps: Some people may develop small red bumps or spots on the scalp due to the lice bites.

What are the Causes?

Head lice are highly contagious and can be spread through:

• Direct Head-to-Head Contact: This is the most common way head lice are spread, particularly among children.
• Sharing Personal Items: Sharing hair accessories, combs, brushes, or towels can also spread head lice.
• Lying on Infested Bedding or Furniture: Head lice can survive for up to 3 days off the human body and can be found in bedding, carpets, or furniture.

Treatments

Treatment for head lice typically involves a combination of medication, combing, and environmental cleaning. The goal is to kill both the live lice and nits, as well as prevent re-infestation.

• Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications: Permethrin (Nix) and pyrethrin (Rid) are common OTC medications used to treat head lice. These medications come in shampoo or cream rinse form and should be applied according to the product instructions.
• Prescription Medications: In some cases, prescription medications such as ivermectin (Sklice) or spinosad (Natroba) may be necessary to treat head lice. These medications are typically used when OTC treatments have failed or in cases of severe infestation.
• Combing: Using a fine-tooth comb or a specialized lice comb can help remove live lice and nits from the hair. This should be done after treatment with medication and repeated every 3-4 days for at least 2 weeks to ensure all lice and nits are removed.
• Environmental Cleaning: To prevent re-infestation, it's essential to clean and disinfect the environment, including:
• Washing and Drying Bedding and Clothing: Wash and dry all bedding, clothing, and towels in hot water (at least 120°F) and high heat.
• Dry-Cleaning Non-Washable Items: Dry-clean non-washable items, such as stuffed animals or pillows.
• Vacuuming Carpets and Furniture: Vacuum carpets, rugs, and furniture, particularly in areas where the infested person has been.

Prevention

To prevent head lice, it's essential to:

• Avoid Head-to-Head Contact: Avoid direct head-to-head contact with anyone who has head lice.
• Not Share Personal Items: Do not share hair accessories, combs, brushes, or towels.
• Regularly Check for Lice and Nits: Regularly check your child's hair for signs of lice or nits, particularly after an outbreak in their school or community.