From the School Nurse
Mrs. Julia Lohmeyer
Head Lice
Unfortunately, this is a common issue that can affect anyone – it is not an indication of poor hygiene, but it is important to treat them effectively. If you would like more information than is included in the article below, please contact the front office.
Head lice (nits) - treatment and control
Head lice are small, wingless insects that live, breed and feed on the human scalp. They do not carry or transmit disease. They have been around for thousands of years and, given the chance, will move from head to head without discrimination. It is important to treat them effectively if found to avoid them spreading from person to person – and schools are a perfect environment for them to spread around!
Head lice facts
A female louse will lay between three to eight eggs (nits) per day in the hair, within 1.5cm of the scalp. These eggs resemble dandruff but cannot be brushed off. The adult head louse has six legs and is about the size of a sesame seed. The colour varies but they are often greyish white or tan. The move very quickly so can be difficult to spot.
Finding head lice
Half of the people who have head lice never scratch their head, so itching is not a reliable sign.
Step 1 Comb hair conditioner on to dry, brushed (detangled) hair. This makes it difficult for lice to grip the hair or run around.
Step 2 Wipe the conditioner from the comb onto a paper towel or tissue.
Step 3 Look on the tissue and on the comb for lice and eggs.
Step 4 Repeat the combing for every part of the head at least four or five times.
Step 5 If the person has been treated recently and only hatched eggs are found, you may not have to treat them again since the eggs could be from the old infection.
Step 6 If lice or eggs are found, the person should be treated.
Treating head lice
The two preferred treatment options available for treating head lice are the ‘conditioner and comb’ method and the use of an insecticide.
Using insecticide products - Any head lice treatment product you choose should carry an Australian Registered or Listed number. Talk to your chemist about suitable products. No treatment kills 100 per cent of the eggs so treatment must involve two applications, seven days apart.
The conditioner and comb method - If you choose not to use an insecticide, the comb and conditioner method described under ‘Finding head lice’ can be used every second day until no live lice have been found for 10 days.
Preventing head lice- There is no product available that prevents head lice. However, tying long hair back and checking weekly for lice, using the conditioner and comb method, can help prevent the spread.