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Head lice can become a wintertime headache for families and schools, but simple precautions can effectively stop the spread of these pesky parasites.
Every year, an estimated 6 million to 12 million children in the United States, ages 3 to 11, experience head lice infestations, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While these infestations are common, there are many misconceptions about how lice spread and how to treat them.
How Lice Spread Contrary to popular belief, lice do not jump or fly.
“They actually crawl,” said Ali Wurster, a nurse practitioner with the Texas A&M Health Mobile Health Clinic, in a university statement. “A kid can be sitting in a classroom even a foot away from another child, and if their heads don’t touch, the lice are not going to jump onto someone else.”
Lice spread primarily through direct head-to-head contact, making younger school-aged children particularly vulnerable during activities like nap time, playtime, or group work. Shared items such as hats, coats, brushes, and dress-up clothes can also transfer lice from one child to another.
Interestingly, individuals with clean hair may be more prone to lice infestations, despite the misconception that dirty hair attracts lice. “The small, sesame seed-sized parasites prefer a clean scalp,” Wurster explained.
Prevention Tips To help prevent head lice, Wurster recommends the following measures:
- Avoid sharing hats, scarves, brushes, or clothing.
- Keep children’s heads apart during nap time and group activities.
- School staff should regularly sanitize commonly shared items, such as headphones, dress-up clothes, or nap mats.
While lice are not harmful and do not spread disease, infestations can cause itching, discomfort, and stress for families. Taking swift action can stop the discomfort and reduce the chance of further spread.
Treatment for Head Lice If head lice are detected, treatment is straightforward. Over-the-counter topical creams, such as Nix or Permethrin, are often effective. Here’s what to do:
- Apply the lice treatment as directed.
- Use a fine-toothed comb to remove lice eggs, known as nits, from the hair.
- Seal combed-out nits and lice in a plastic bag.
- Repeat treatment in seven days if necessary to eliminate any remaining lice or nits.
In addition to treating the hair, wash all clothing, bedding, and other fabric items in hot water and dry them on high heat. For items that cannot be washed, such as stuffed animals, seal them in a plastic bag for two weeks to kill any lingering lice.
School Policies on Head Lice The CDC no longer recommends sending children with head lice home immediately. Children can remain in school for the day, begin treatment after school, and return the next day.
Understanding Lice: Education Is Key By debunking myths and following prevention and treatment best practices, families and schools can effectively address head lice. An accurate understanding of how lice spread can help reduce stigma and keep kids in school while preventing further infestations.
Head lice may be an age-old nuisance, but with vigilance and simple precautions, parents can keep this wintertime challenge under control.
