Lice

What are lice?

• head lice
• body lice
• pubic lice

Facts about lice:

Head lice:

• Head lice are seen mostly in child care settings and among school-aged children.
  
  
• The child usually has itching in the head area.
  
  
• Lice, or the eggs (called nits), can usually be seen on the hair, behind the ears, and on the neck.

Body lice:

• Body lice are usually seen in people with poor hygiene.
  
  
• Body lice are rare in children.
  
  
• Body lice cause severe itching, which is often worse at night.
  
  
• With body lice, in some cases, lice and eggs can be found in the seams of clothes.

Pubic lice:

• Pubic lice are very contagious and can be transmitted through sexual contact or by contaminated items such as towels and clothes.
  
  
• Pubic lice can affect the pubic hair, but also can cause infections of the hair on the chest, abdomen, thighs, and eyebrows.
  
  
• Itching of the affected area is a common symptom of pubic lice.

How are lice diagnosed?

Treatment for lice:

• your child's age, overall health, and medical history
• extent of the infestation
• your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• expectations for the course of the infestation
• your opinion or preference

• For head lice and pubic lice:
  
  
  • Application of a medicated cream rinse or shampoo is usually effective treatment for head and/or pubic lice. Specific instructions need to be followed. Discuss this with your child's physician. Examples of medicated cream rinses or shampoos include the following:
    
    • malathion (Ovide®) - this is a new treatment that is safe and effective for lice and nits
    • lindane (Kwell®) - do not use if there are open sores on the head because of toxicity 
    • pyrethrins (RID®) - this treatment does not kill nits (lice eggs)
    • permethrin (Nix®) - this treatment does not always work due to lice resistance 
      
      
  • Nits need to be removed from the hair with a fine-tooth comb.
    
    
  • Combs and brushes should be soaked in hot water with the shampoo for period of at least 15 minutes.
    
    
  • Children can return to school or daycare the day following their first treatment for head lice.

• For body lice:
  
  
  • Medications are usually not needed to treat body lice.
    
    
  • Treatment for body lice usually consists of improving hygiene and washing clothes.
    
    
  • Bed sheets and blankets should be washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer.

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