Q: What are Head Lice?
A: Head lice, also known as Pediculus humanus capitas, are highly contagious, tiny, wingless bugs that are about 2mm long, which is about the size of a sesame seed. They have six legs and use their tiny claw-like appendages to crawl around on human hair shafts. Head lice can range in color from a light bluish-gray to whitish to brown. It is almost as though they have the ability to blend into their host's hair color.
Q: Are there different types of lice?
A: There are 3 types; head lice, body lice and pubic lice.
Q: How do you get head lice?
A: Lice are transmitted from person to person, by close personal and prolonged skin contact, including sexual contact. Transmission can also occur when people sleep in the same bed, share contaminated clothing, grooming items and upholstered furniture. Head lice crawl along at a rate of about 12 inches per hour. They do not jump, hop or fly. Between 6-20 million people a year get head lice!
Q: Do I need to shave my child's head?
A: No, it is not necessary to shave your child's head. While it may make it easier to treat the head lice and get rid of the nits, it could be traumatic to your child.
Q: Can I catch head lice from my pet?
A: Pets do not transmit head lice and head lice can not live on pets.
Q: I wash my hair all the time, why did I get lice?
A: Lice actually prefer clean hair. It is easier for them to grasp onto the hair shafts and travel.
Q: How do I know if I have head lice?
A: One of the most common symptoms of head lice is itching, especially on the back of the neck, the top of the head and around the ears. You will also see nits, tiny cream colored egg sacs, attached to strands of hair. These are usually about 1/4 inch from the scalp. If they are white and more than 1/2 inch from the scalp the eggs are gone. It's an old, empty nit.
Q: Why are over the counter treatments not working for me?
A: People have used the same chemicals for years to treat lice. Health Care Professionals and Entomologists reported as early as 1985 that lice have become resistant to some treatments.
Q: When do I know that we are not contagious anymore?
A: The general rule of thumb is after you have treated and have no more nits. Lice have a life cycle of 21 days. You should continue to check to make sure that there is no re-occurrence or outbreak of lice.
Q: When can my children go back to school?
A: Most schools have a no nit policy. But, with Licenex™ they can return the next day. |
