Head lice affect only humans, and cannot be passed on to, or caught from animals. Head lice can be as small as a pinhead or up to the size of a sesame seed. They are grey-brown, wingless insects, which live by sucking blood from the scalp. Their eggs are known as nits and they are laid glued to the base of hairs, and look like tiny white specks.
The eggs hatch after 7 to 10 days, and then at 10 to 14 days after hatching the lice are mature. Once mature they start to reproduce, so numbers can grow alarmingly if not treated.
Head lice are common in schoolchildren, particularly between the ages of 4 and 11, but anyone with hair can catch them.
Treatment:
• Wash the hair as normal using an ordinary shampoo,
• Apply conditioner liberally to wet hair (this causes the lice to lose their grip on the hair),
• Comb the hair through with a normal comb first,
• With a fine tooth nit comb, comb from the roots along the complete length of the hair and after each stroke check the comb for lice and wipe it clean. Work methodically over the whole head for at least 30 minutes,
• Rinse the hair as normal,
• Repeat every three days for at least two weeks
• You could as an alternative, buy lotions from the chemist or supermarkets.
Please Note:
If you notice that your child has head lice, please inform the class teacher and treat it immediately. It is advised to also check all other family members' hair as well to see if lice are present and treat accordingly if necessary. If a child in school has live head lice the school will immediately request the child goes home for treatment. Once the lice have been successfully removed the child may return. Children do not need to stay off school any longer after successful removal.
Advice can be sought on medication, method and alternatives from your local pharmacy. It is not necessary to go to your doctor.
The eggs hatch after 7 to 10 days, and then at 10 to 14 days after hatching the lice are mature. Once mature they start to reproduce, so numbers can grow alarmingly if not treated.
Head lice are common in schoolchildren, particularly between the ages of 4 and 11, but anyone with hair can catch them.
Treatment:
• Wash the hair as normal using an ordinary shampoo,
• Apply conditioner liberally to wet hair (this causes the lice to lose their grip on the hair),
• Comb the hair through with a normal comb first,
• With a fine tooth nit comb, comb from the roots along the complete length of the hair and after each stroke check the comb for lice and wipe it clean. Work methodically over the whole head for at least 30 minutes,
• Rinse the hair as normal,
• Repeat every three days for at least two weeks
• You could as an alternative, buy lotions from the chemist or supermarkets.
Please Note:
If you notice that your child has head lice, please inform the class teacher and treat it immediately. It is advised to also check all other family members' hair as well to see if lice are present and treat accordingly if necessary. If a child in school has live head lice the school will immediately request the child goes home for treatment. Once the lice have been successfully removed the child may return. Children do not need to stay off school any longer after successful removal.
Advice can be sought on medication, method and alternatives from your local pharmacy. It is not necessary to go to your doctor.
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