Avoid itchy scalps: How to defeat head lice

  • Published
  • By Maj. Michael J. Cuomo
  • Public Health Flight Commander
Head lice have been around for a long time. Archaeologists have even found evidence on human hairs from 10,000 years ago. They are tiny blood-sucking insects that live on the human head and are 2 to 4 mm long with narrow bodies and no wings. Their bites can leave a trail of tiny red marks on the scalp, or you might see a small insect near the base of the hairs. 

Head lice infection is common. It is important to learn how to recognize head lice, how to get rid of them, how to avoid spreading lice and how to keep them from coming back. 

Lice live in human hair and require blood for survival. They hatch from small eggs called nits, which attach to the base of individual hairs. The nits hatch into nymphs in about seven to ten days. The adult louse is about the size of a sesame seed with six legs, and the color varies from off-white to reddish-tan. Females can live up to 30 days, laying as many as six eggs a day. Lice can survive off a human host for two days and nits may survive for several weeks. 

Lice can only crawl, they cannot jump or fly. Most people get head lice by direct contact with someone else who has head lice. Avoid borrowing or useing anyone's comb, brush, hat, ribbons, scarves or other head coverings. You can also get head lice by sharing towels or pillowcases, or lying on a bed, couch or carpet that has recently been in contact with a person with lice. 

Constant itching of the head and back of the neck can indicate head lice. Look for infected scratch marks or a rash on the scalp, but more importantly, look for nits attached to individual hairs. 

When you find head lice, it is important to respond promptly to prevent the spread to others. Several effective over-the-counter preparations are available at the 52nd Medical Group Pharmacy or local pharmacies to treat head lice. 

To avoid re-infestation, take the following measures: All articles that may harbor lice or nits, such as clothes, towels and bed linens should be washed in hot water and detergent and machine dried. Vacuum all upholstery, carpets, mattresses and cars. Wrap the vacuum bag and contents in a plastic bag and discard. Fumigation or room sprays are not recommended. Objects that you cannot launder can be placed in a tightly sealed plastic bag for two weeks. 

If one member of a household has head lice, all members should be inspected every two to three days for two weeks or until clear of lice and nits. Treat only those who are found with lice. For additional information, call 52nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron Public Health at 452-8308. 

Note: Information from the Harvard School of Public Health Web site, http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/headlice.html, and Center for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Parasitic Diseases was used in this article.