Article: Head Lice - Adams County Health Center

Adams County Health Center - Council, Idaho

Head Lice
By Douglas Linford, D.O.

Head lice are an annual problem in the United States. It spreads rapidly through families and through schools. Here are some measures to help prevent the problem and for treating the problem when it occurs.
Prevention:
1	Each family member should have their own hairbrushes and combs. These should be separated and not kept in the same place.
2	Avoid sharing hairbrushes, combs, caps, etc. with friends.
Curing the problem:
1	There are several over-the-counter anti-lice products that are effective. Be sure to follow the instructions as to age limits, whether the hair should be dry or wet and the length of time to keep the anti-lice shampoo on the head.
2	Because many anti-lice shampoos are not 100% effective against the nits (unhatched lice) you should use a fine toothcomb to remove all the nits. The unhatched nits will be within about ½ inch of the scalp.
3	Sterilize all combs, brushes, caps, coats bed clothes or anything that is worn or comes in this the head. Boil all things that can be boiled. Those that can be washed should be washed in hot soapy water and then dried in a hot drier for 20 minutes. If the item can’t be sterilized by the above methods, place the item in a plastic bag and keep it there for about 4 weeks since the lice will die in that time.
4	Treat all family members who have live lice or nits.
There is a non-chemical way to treat head lice but it is slow and tedious. Use oil such as full fat mayonnaise, olive oil, baby oil or baby oil. Saturated the person’s hair/scalp totally covering the scalp and all hair within ½ inch of the scalp. Keep the oil off the face. Leave the oil on the hair/scalp for several hours and then wash out. This will suffocate any live lice but will not kill the nits. Use a fine toothcomb to remove all visible nits. Wash all bedclothes, brushes, etc. This treatment must be repeated every 3 days for at least 2 weeks.

This article is for general information only.
For specific medical information, please contact your health care provider.

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