What are head lice?

Head lice are tiny parasites which live on the human scalp and hair. They feed on blood several times a day and they cannot survive for more than 24 hours away from their host. One female louse can lay a total of about 100 lice eggs or nits. The eggs (nits) are as small as a grain of salt and difficult to see. It takes about a week for the eggs to hatch. 

The empty egg shell remains fixed to the hair until it is physically removed. The empty eggs are easy to see and look like white specks. The young lice mature to adults in 10 days and the cycle begins again.

How do you catch head lice?

Head lice can only be acquired by direct contact with an infested person’s hair or personal belongings. Children appear to be affected more often because of their close contact at school and their tendency to share hats, brushes and combs. This is why outbreaks are so common at primary schools and day care centres.

How can I tell if my child has head lice?

These are the signs and symptoms of head lice:

• Tiny white specks stuck to the hair usually near the scalp.
• Scalp itch may occur but often the condition has no symptoms.
• Presence of actual lice on the scalp.

What do I do if I find head lice?

In order to help remove head lice and their nits a specially formulated product should be used in conjunction with a head lice comb.