These tiny parasitic insects live in human hair. They hatch small eggs called nits. The nits (grayish-white, oval-shaped) are attached firmly with a casement-like substance on a shaft of hair close to the scalp, usually at the nape of the neck and behind the ears.
Lice hatch in about 1 week and are fully mature in about 7-10 days.
Lice cannot hop or jump but are transmitted by close contact. Besides direct person to person contact, lice can be transmitted by inanimate objects such as coats, hats, scarves, hair brushes, combs, towels, bedding, carpets, upholstered furniture and car seats.
Persistent itching of the head and back of the neck can indicate head lice. Most important, look for nits attached to individual hairs.
Sometimes small white specks in the hair such as dandruff or droplets of hairspray can be confused with nits. Nits are very difficult to remove from the hair shaft.
Yes, lice can survive for up to two days off the human scalp, on personal items and household surfaces, clothing or bed linen.
Soak all washable items in hot (about 150 degrees) water for 5 to 10 minutes. Wash clothing and linen in hot water (at least 130 degrees) and then place the clothes in a hot dryer for 20 minutes. Place all non-washable items in a tightly sealed plastic bag for 2 weeks, then open outdoors and shake vigorously. You can buy a lice control spray. Spray kills al lice and their eggs on mattresses, sofas and carpeting.
Everyone’s cooperation is essential in preventing the spread of this problem.