PARENT INFORMATION SHEET
Three (3) steps in treating head lice:
1. Kill the lice
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An FDA approved lice-removal, medicated
product is the most effective way to treat
head lice.
Consult with your doctor if you are unsure
of which lice-removal product is best.
Follow the directions included with the
product exactly.
Check the entire family for lice and treat
only those found to be effected.
Persons with hair longer than shoulderlength may require a second bottle.
Do not use regular shampoo or conditioner
before using the recommended product.
Do not re-wash hair for 1-2 days after
treatment.
Use a fine-tooth nit comb (a metal one
works better) to comb out any dead and
remaining live lice out after treating.
Have the effected person put on clean
clothing after treating.
In order to kill any surviving hatched eggs
before they reproduce, some lice-removal
products recommend re-treatment in 7-10
days after the first treatment.
Lice-removal products should only be
applied by an adult.
Do not apply lice-removal products on a
child 2 years or younger without consulting
your child’s doctor.
If you are pregnant or nursing, consult your
doctor before treating yourself.
Home remedies, such as petroleum jelly,
olive oil, and mayonnaise … have not been
scientifically proven to work. Never use
dangerous products such as gasoline or
kerosene.
2. Remove the nits
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The comb out (nit-removal only) methods
without medicated shampoo often fail.
Most products do not kill all of the nits.
Surviving eggs will hatch into crawling lice
within 7-10 days, creating a cycle of new
lice.
Remember to retreat with a lice killing
product as directed.
Removing the nits will help remove
uncertainty about new lice or eggs.
After initial treatment and then daily, wet
the hair, use a fine-tooth or special lice
comb to comb out the lice or nits.
Comb through hair in small sections.
Wipe the comb on a wet paper towel or
rinse the comb with hot water after each
comb through.
Some products are available that claim to
loosen the “glue” that attaches the nit to
the hair, making removal easier.
Vinegar or vinegar-based products are not
recommended for use with permethrin
(Nix)
Check hair daily for nits/lice for several
weeks after treatment.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control
American Academy of Pediatrics
3. Environmental/Preventative Measures
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Machine wash all washable clothing and
bed linens which have been in contact with
the effected persons during the last 3 days.
Articles should be washed in HOT water and
dried in a HOT dryer.
Items that cannot be washed should be
sealed and stored in a plastic bag for 2
weeks or dry cleaned.
Soak combs and brushes in hot water (at
least 130o for 5-10 minutes.
Vacuum the floor, furniture, car seat where
the effected person came in contact.
Vacuum and damp wipe interior of cars and
infant seats.
Do not use fumigant sprays or fogs. They
can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through
the skin.
Tell your friends, school officials, and all
activity site personnel (sports teams,
gymnastic teams, etc.) about the
infestation so that other parents can be
alerted to a possible outbreak.
Parental cooperation will help control this
problem.
To prevent the spread of head lice:
 Avoid head-to-head contact during
play and other activities.
 Do not share clothing such as hats,
scarves, ribbons and barrettes.
 Do not share combs, brushes or
towels.
 Check children weekly for lice to
identify and treat early.
2/10/2015