Headlice

Headlice

• Lice like clean, thick hair.
• Eggs are pale, greyish and very small and will be found close to the scalp.
• Signs they have moved in are:
  • itching
  • fine black powder (louse droppings!) on the pillow
  • pale coloured flecks (louse skin!) on the pillow
  • whitish specks (eggs) stuck on the hair near the scalp.
• If you suspect lice, look in the hair after you have washed it. Use a hair conditioner to smooth tangles. Lice like warm places such as behind the ears and the back of the neck.
• Use a fine comb and comb the hair from scalp to tips. Hold a towel under the hair and wipe the comb on the towel between strokes. It your child has lice one or two will appear on the towel.
• Lice can cause scratching which can lead to infection but other then that they are really more of a nuisance than a threat.
• Lice shampoos are insect killers. They are supposed to kill the lice and not hurt people. However, insects do become resistant to insect killers so it is best to not use them unless you have to.
• Try a pyrethrin based shampoo first and use a malathion based shampoo if the pyrethrin doesn't work. Ask your chemist for advice.
• You can also:
  • comb the hair with a fine comb
  • dry the hair with a hairdryer
  • brush and comb it regularly - combing hurts lice more than shampooing!
  • check all the family
  • wash bed linen, hats, hair ribbons, brushes and combs
  • tie up long hair at all times or get it cut.
• Lice affect everyone, young and old, rich and poor, clean and not so clean.

Parenting tips & parenting articles copyright & courtesy
Department for Community Devlp, Australia.

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