LICE
What are head lice?
Lice are tiny parasitic insects that feed on human blood. Their small size and light brown color make them very difficult to spot. Lice are known to match the color of your hair, making them hard to find.
What is a nit?
Lice eggs are called nits. They are tiny oval shaped specs that can look white, tan, or light gray. (If you see dark colored nits after treatment that means they are dehydrated and dead- don't worry!)
You will find them firmly attached to a piece of hair close to the scalp. Typically you will find them behind the ears, at the base of the neck, and the front of the head. Nits will hatch after 6-9 days. Nits are so small and easy to miss with the naked eye which is why combing out only usually causes re-infestation.
It is easy to confuse nits and dandruff. The difference is you can flick dandruff away, while nits can only be removed by a special comb or pulled off with your fingernails.
How Did We Get Lice?
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Lice cannot jump, fly or swim, but they can move quickly from one head to another or can be transmitted through sharing a brush or towel from someone who has them.
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Lice is common among preschool and elementary aged children. It is not a sign of bad hygiene!
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Studies have found that lice may even prefer clean hair.
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Many people with head lice may not have any symptoms. It takes 4-6 weeks for itching to occur once a person has lice.
This is why we check for lice again at day 7-10 to ensure no new bugs have hatched! If you find dark nits they are dead.
Helpful Lice Facts
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Head lice cannot survive longer than 15-24 hours off of a human head.
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Lice cannot be transmitted to or from your pets.
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A study in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that 98% of head lice had gene mutations that made them resistant to some over-the-counter insecticides.
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Nits and lice die after being exposed to 130 degree or more temperatures.