An Overview for Parents, Teachers & Communities
Head Lice Fast Facts
Head lice are a common community issue
- In the United States, an estimated 6 to 12 million lice infestations occur each year among children aged 3 to 11
- Children can get head lice anytime they are in close contact with others – for example, during play at home or school, slumber parties, sports activities or camp
Head lice are wingless insects
- They live close to the scalp and feed on human blood
- They are not dangerous and do not transmit disease but are easily spread
School nurses are often the first to detect head lice
- If head lice is suspected, it is important for families to talk to their healthcare provider
Who & How?
Who gets head lice?
- Almost anyone can get head lice
- Head lice are not a health hazard or sign of poor hygiene
- Head lice cannot jump or fly
- They cannot live off the head for long, so it is uncommon to spread head lice by contact with clothing or other personal items
- Dogs, cats and other pets do not play a role in spreading head lice
Is It Head Lice?
Some people don’t experience symptoms, but those who do most commonly experience:
- Tickling feeling on the scalp or in the hair
- Itching (caused by the bites of the louse)
- Irritability and difficulty sleeping (lice are more active in the dark)
- Sores on the head (caused by scratching)
Finding a live louse is the best indication of an infestation
What Do Head Lice Look Like?
When checking a student for head lice, you may see several forms:
Nits (eggs)
- Teardrop shaped
- Attached to the hair shaft
- Yellowish or white
- Can be confused with dandruff but cannot be brushed off
Nymph (baby louse)
- Grows to adult size in one to two weeks
- Found on the scalp or in the hair
Adult louse
- Size of a sesame seed
- Tan to grayish-white
- Commonly behind the ears and near the neckline
How is Head Lice Treated?
If head lice are suspected, families should consult with a healthcare provider as soon as possible
Key treatment considerations include:
- Resistance to some over-the-counter (OTC) head lice treatments has been reported, but the prevalence is not known
- There is no scientific evidence that home remedies are effective
- There are prescription treatment options available – contact your healthcare professional to determine what is appropriate for you
All household members and other close contacts should be checked
- Anyone with evidence of an active lice infestation should be treated
- All persons with active head lice should be treated at the same time
What About Cleaning?
- Adult head lice survive less than one to two days, and nits (head lice eggs) generally die within a week once they fall off a person and cannot feed
- Vacuum floor and furniture where the infested person sat or lay
- Fumigants or fogs are not necessary and may be dangerous if inhaled or absorbed through the skin
- Family bed linens and recently used clothes, hats and towels, as well as personal articles such as combs, brushes and hair clips should be washed in very hot water or sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks
Supporting Families Facing Head Lice
- Children and parents managing head lice may feel stigmatized and ostracized
We can all help support families facing head lice by:
- Dispelling myths
- Maintaining privacy
- Encouraging families to talk to their healthcare provider
If you want to learn more, contact your school nurse for more Headfirst Lice Lessons resources or visit NASN.org!
Headfirst Lice Lessons educational initiative is made possible through a collaboration between the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) and Sanofi Pasteur