Lice/Nits Facts:
- Lice don’t spread diseases and are not dangerous.
- Lice are highly contagious.
- Lice can’t jump or fly from person to person.
- Lice are spread from head to head contact – sharing hats, combs, brushes, clothing and bedding.
- Pets can’t get lice from humans.
- Getting lice does not mean you are dirty, they like clean hair.
- Lice eggs (nits) look like yellow, tan or brown dots , and can’t be removed by brushing off.
- After laid lice eggs hatch in 7-10 days.
- Baby Lice are brownish tan and become teenagers within 7 days after they hatch.
- Lice can’t live off humans for more than 2 days.
- Lice need human blood to survive.
- Most common symptoms are itching and scratching around the ears and back of the neck.
- Pool Chlorine or swimming in the ocean does not kill lice.
Lice Prevention:
GIRLS:
- Keep your hair in a bun or braids.
- Avoid head to head contact.
- Do not share brushes, combs, clips, hats, scarves, helmets, rubber bands, bows, etc.
- Do not share pillows, sleeping bags, or blankets.
- Regularly screen for head lice.
BOYS:
- Keep your hair short.
- Avoid head to head contact.
- Do not share brushes, combs, hats, helmets, swim caps, etc.
- Do not share pillows, sleeping bags, or blankets.
- Regularly screen for head lice.
Cleaning of the Home:
- Vacuum the carpet and upholstered furniture. For leather furniture wipe down where you sit. Do not use over the counter lice sprays from the store to treat furniture. They leave of pesticides around your home.
- Pull all hair out of brushes before putting them in a pot of hot steaming water or dishwasher.
- Wash all the clothes and bedding that the person treated came in contact with in the past 2 days. Pillows also need to be put in the dryer on highest heat for 25 minutes. Wash normally and dry using the hottest cycle for 25 minutes. If you can’t wash or dry any items, bag them for 2 days.
- Clean or bag items that have come in contact with the head in the last 2 days such as headphones, hats, helmets, hair ties, stuffed animals, coats, or a car seat. The items that cannot be washed or vacuumed need to be bagged for at least 2 days. Lice cannot survive off the head for more than 2 days.