Concise advice on head lice

First: anyone can get lice—me, you, Britney Spears. Second: people with lice are not dirty. Third: lice can’t fly. Fourth: lice don’t jump. Finally: they only live on humans, so don’t blame the dog.

What are they?

Head lice are parasites that need our blood and warmth to survive. They are found on the scalp, especially on the nape of the neck and behind the ears.

How do you get it?

You get lice through head-to-head contact. It can also be transmitted by sharing items, such a comb or a towel. The same goes for pillowcases, hats, or car seats—anyplace you can put your head.

Who gets it?

Everyone is susceptible to lice. However, school-age children have it more often since they have closer contact with more people.

What to look for

An itchy scalp can be a sign that lice are present.

To be certain, use a magnifying glass and a good light to look for active lice, and nits (eggs) at the base of hair strands.

Both lice and nits are tiny, so look closely and check small portions of the hair at a time. You’re most likely to find them behind the ears and along the hairline.

Don’t panic if you find lice—determination and an over-the-counter (OTC) product will treat most cases.

Who to treat?

Treat everyone who is infected. This is anyone who has lice in their hair or nits within a quarter of an inch of the scalp. Nits further up the hair shaft have already hatched.

Remember to check the entire family.

How to treat

Two OTC products often used to treat head lice are Rid (a shampoo) and Nix (a cream rinse). Choose only one since it’s unsafe to mix the two.

Generally, Nix is preferred for young children. Ask a pharmacist or doctor if you need help selecting a suitable product.

Play it safe

Read all directions on the package before starting and follow them exactly. Also, when using these products: keep it out of the face—especially the eyes do not cover the scalp with a shower-cap rinse it out after 10 minutes (never longer!) and use a clean towel to dry treated hair

Anyone that has open sores on the scalp or a history of seizures should consult a doctor before using these products.

Also, pregnant or nursing mothers should not use or handle these chemicals unless directed by their doctor.

Use a comb

Even if you kill all the lice, nits often survive and hatch several days later.

Therefore, it’s critical to comb out the nits—every last one!

Use a high quality nit-removal comb and check the hair daily. A recommended brand is LiceMeister.

In the home

All bedding and clothing should be washed in hot water and put in a dryer set on high. Floors and furniture should be vacuumed.

Also, wash combs and brushes in hot, soapy water and place stuffed animals and pillows in a hot dryer for 30 minutes.

Chemical sprays marketed to clear home surfaces of lice are not recommended and may be harmful.

The final word

Your persistence in combing out the nits will determine your success in eliminating lice more than the use of Rid or Nix.

And the next time Britney asks if you‚d like to borrow her brush, politely decline. Remember, anyone can get lice.

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Neil Hohmann graduated from the University of Colorado, School of Pharmacy and is a member of the American Pharmacists Association.