HOW TO TACKLE LICE AT HOME

LICE NITS (EGGS)

ADULT LICE

WHERE TO SEARCH

• Start in nape,back bottom hairline
• Behind the ears
• Look close to the scalp as well as down the hair shaft
• Look for bite marks around the ears and neck and scratch marks
• What you are looking for is either the live bug itself or the nit (egg) on the hair.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND LICE/NITS

• Purchase a lice shampoo example rid or nix
• Follow directions. Be sure that you take very small sections of hair
• When combing the hair you will have to pull the nit off with your fingers or a tweezers
• It is important to get the nits off because they will hatch in 7-10 days
• Cleaning your house is important as well

HOUSE CLEANING

• Start with the bedroom
• Pillows ,bedding, all clothing,anything washable needs to be washed in hot water
• Anything not washable put in garbage bags for at least 2 weeks
• Boil hair brushes combs for 10 min
• Vacuum your house in its entirety. Floors, couches,chairs, even your cars!

KEY POINTS

• The pesticide shampoos should not be relied on as the sole treatment
• You must remove the nit. The shampoo does not kill the nit it is meant to kill the live louse
• Any nits left behind will hatch in 7-10 days and will require another treatment
• Any treatment is time consuming...several hours per child if done correctly

OTHER REMEDIES IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER TREATMENT

• Consider olive oil treatments
• Consider adding tea tree oil in your regular shampoo
• Consider spraying mixture of water and tea tree oil on backpacks and other clothing

ASK FOR HELP

• Lice can be financially,physically, and emotionally draining
• Ask the school for lice treatments that are available
• Ask friends for help cleaning as it is extremely time consuming
• Tell friends , school, daycare that you are battling lice so they are aware
• Lice does not discriminate, so don't be ashamed, be educated!!