Headlice

Headlice are a problem that families can find distressing. It is important recognise that headlice are much more common in the home and local community than in schools.
Adults are as susceptible to headlice as children and anyone, family, relative or friends can have headlice; clean or short hair is no protection. Headlice are only passed on by close head to head contact (e.g. during family cuddles). They cannot hop, jump or fly.

School Nurses no longer carry out routine head inspections in schools. It has been shown that such inspections are of no use because:

1. They do not tackle the source of the problem which is outside of school.
2. Checking large numbers of heads is an ineffective method, detecting less than 50% of infestations.

In the past, schools were the only place headlice were checked for. This led to the common misconception that schools were the source of the problem.

Prevention and detection at home by every family is the only way to control headlice.

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Prevention and Detection of Headlice

Daily brushing and combing of hair morning and night helps to prevent headlice infestation and should remove any stray lice picked up during the day. Combing can damage the lice. "Break their legs and they won't lay eggs"
Looking for Lice live lice is the only definite sign of an infestation. Lice eggs are dark and glued to the base of the hair at the scalp.

Empty hatched eggshells (nits) are white and grow out with the hair.
If you see either of these check carefully for lice. The shed skins and droppings lice may also be seen on collars, pillows, etc, as black specks or powder.
If you are worried then lice are most easily detected by regularly combing really wet hair from the roots, preferably with a fine toothcomb, straight after normal shampooing. Lice find it difficult to move in wet hair and cannot get out of the way. Looking for headlice on a regular basis is the best form of prevention.

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The "Wet Combing Method"

If you do find live lice, initially follow the special "wet combing method" using hair conditioner and a fine metal toothcomb to get rid of them (see below). Remember to check the whole family. In many cases this should prevent the need to use chemical treatment (lotions) to kill the lice.

Further Advice

If the headlice prove to be a more stubborn problem using a headlice lotion may be necessary. Note the advice from your school nurse or health visitor. It is important the correct treatment is used and manufacturers instructions followed carefully. Usually 2 treatments, 7 days apart are recommended. This ensures newly hatched lice are killed. Some headlice lotions do not kill the eggs but all eggs hatch within 7 days.

Remember only treat those members of the family who still have live lice after the "wet combing method" has been used.

The local Health Authority and Warwickshire Local Education Authority consider the "wet combing method" the best way to deal initially with an infestation of headlice. It also avoids the unnecessary use of chemicals (lotions).

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The Wet Combing Method

Requirements:
• Ordinary hair shampoo
• Ordinary hair conditioner
• A fine metal tooth comb

1. Wash the hair in the normal way with an ordinary shampoo.
2. Inspect the rinsing water for lice floating to the surface.
3. Using lots of hair conditioner and while the hair is very wet, comb through with a fine tooth comb. Make sure that the teeth of the comb slot into the hair at the roots with every stroke. Do this over a pale surface such as a paper towel.
4. Sodden lice will not move and slippery hair is hard for lice to get a grip on so they should be easy to remove with a comb.
5. You should repeat this routine every two to three days for at least two weeks until the lice are gone.

There is no need to keep children off school whilst using the "wet combing method".

This advice from Warwickshire County Council

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