Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: head lice + get rid + lice  Related to the article below (Last Update: 8/5/2008)

Head lice and nits goodtoknow, UK - Aug 4, 2008 The best and simplest way to get rid of them is 'wet combing' using a nit comb to trap the lice. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist. ... Feeling lousy? We want to know about it guardian.co.uk, UK - Jul 28, 2008 But head lice also have benefits, he argues: "The best way to get rid of them is to wash the hair with conditioner and comb them out. ... Once a Week Take a Peek for Head lice Vhi.ie, Ireland - Jul 23, 2008 Worryingly, 10% would consider shaving their child?s head to get rid of head lice! The survey also revealed that many myths and misconceptions about head ... HUMOR: A Dress-up occasion Daily Aztec, CA - Aug 4, 2008 (Just nod your head.) But then when he launches into his must-get-rid-of-Lois mode, you find out that you've been deceived by an otherwise innocent-looking ... Nature?s Nasties HobbyFarms.com, CA - Aug 3, 2008 If an item holds water and you?re not using it, get rid of it. Dump and refill pet dishes, wading pools, bird baths, livestock watering buckets, ... Birds of a feather shed together Houston Chronicle, United States - Jul 18, 2008 Ectoparasites affect head feathers more than other body feathers because a bird can't reach its head with its beak to preen the feathers and get rid of ... The Cud Surveying The American Realm The Cud, Australia - Jul 23, 2008 They gave the big boss a chance to take the pulse of his realm and, more importantly, to have the London premises cleared of rats, fleas and lice (if only ... Organization Saves Kids From Human Trafficking KHTS Radio, CA - Jul 26, 2008 They were full of lice and had septic tanks? Although it?s great that they got the kids out of their past situation, the homes needed work. ... Munch bunch that threaten your closet Irish Independent, Ireland - Jul 19, 2008 It's almost like having head lice when you're a child. The editor of Pop magazine and the fashion world's woman-of-the-moment Katie Grand also publicly ... Chapter 13 The Hummer Cape Cod Today, MA - Jul 23, 2008 She always hums when she gives head.?But it was too late, lice powder didn?t work. They took to safety razors and ended up looking like two harem eunuchs. ...

Getting Rid of Head Lice

As school begins once again, some kids may be bringing something else home along with their textbooks and homework—a case of head lice.

Having head lice is almost a right-of-passage for school-aged children; as social interaction grows, the likelihood of lice transmission does, too. Children who are found to have lice are generally sent home to avoid spreading the bugs to other kids, but infestations are never dangerous, nor are they a sign of dirty hair or poor hygiene. Adults are just as likely to get lice, especially if child in the house has them.

The good news is that preventing head lice isn't difficult, and if a few bugs do get in, treatment is simple, too.

Being a Nitpicker
Lice are tiny insects that hook into the hair and feed on blood from the scalp. They may cause a little scalp itching in some cases, but generally cause no other symptoms. The insects can really only be seen upon close inspection of the scalp.

If lice are suspected, a parent or school nurse may perform a head inspection, where a fine-toothed comb is raked across slightly wet hair. After each swipe, the comb is checked for signs of the insect.

Sometimes, the comb will pull some pieces of hair that have a tiny, grayish egg hanging off the side. Very often confused for dandruff, this tiny egg, called a nit, can only hatch if located very close to the scalp. Adult lice, grayish-white insects, the size of a sesame seed, are more likely to be found in a case of head lice. The Centers for Disease control recommends that you only treat cases of lice in which active adults are found.

If a few live ones are found, there's no need for panic. There are several shampoos, sold both over-the-counter and with a prescription, that can be used to kill the lice. Keep in mind that these shampoos, called pediculicdes, are strong chemicals, and the directions on the bottle should be followed closely. To effectively treat your child:

• Do not shampoo or condition hair before treatment.
• Apply the lice medicine, according to the instructions on the bottle. If your child has hair that falls past the shoulder, a second bottle may be necessary.
• About 8 hours after treatment, comb through hair with a lice comb to remove the dead bugs. If a few live lice are still found, but they are moving slowly, do not reapply the shampoo as some medicine takes longer than others to kill the lice.
• If there seems to be no change in the number of live lice, or how actively they are moving after 8 hours, see a doctor for a stronger treatment.
• Keep checking your child's head with a lice comb every 2 or 3 days for a few weeks to be sure that all the lice and nits are gone.

Preventing another Head Case
Of course, now that you went through the process of removing each and every nit from your child's head, you certainly don't want to have to do it again. Unlike common belief, lice cannot jump and are only spread through direct contact. Advise your child to not share hats, brushes or combs, and tie long hair back whenever possible. If you do find lice on your child, be sure to contact the school to prevent it from spreading further.