What should I clean?
Homes don't get head lice people do! There is no evidence that a major cleaning is necessary. Since most head lice can only live up to 48 hours off the head, concentrate on areas where the infected person has been in the last two days. Blankets, toys, sheets, pillowcases, clothes, towels etc. should be washed in very hot water or place in a hot dryer for 30 minutes. Vacuum furniture and car seats. "Dryclean only" articles or items that cannot be vacuumed, washed or dried can simply be set aside for 48 hours.
Who should we notify?
You will need to contact your child's school, sports teams or anyone else who may have been in close contact with your child over the past few weeks. This is a very important step, and when caught early prevents community-wide outbreaks.
What can I do now to prevent re-infestions?
Early detection is the best prevention! Screen all family members once a week.
Do pets get head lice?
No, lice are human parasites which need human blood to survive.
Why is manual removal so important?
Because pesticides only kill the live lice, the nits will continue to hatch and reproduce until you get them out. This is your most important step and this is also the most time-consuming. You can expect to spend about two hours per head every two to three days over the next two weeks. Leaving just one louse can cause complete re-infestation.
How do I check for lice?
Head lice are very small and move very quickly. It's easier to confirm a head lice infestation by finding their eggs (nits). Get a good light and magnifying glass. Start by parting the hair and looking closely at the root. Look for tiny, oval shaped nits cemented to one side of the hair shaft. Nits stick like glue and are very hard to remove.
