Lice Treatment
Head Lice
Lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp and crawl through hair. Lice need human blood to live, and they die within 24 hours if they cannot feed. Lice lay eggs (nits) that cling to the hair close to the scalp. Nits are oval shaped and most often can be seen in the hair and behind the ears or neck. Lice hatch from nits after about 6 days and can lay more eggs after 10 days. Head lice are not a sign of uncleanliness, and they do not spread disease. The most common symptom of lice is itching the scalp.
There are many ways to treat active infestations, but not all products and techniques have been evaluated for safety and effectiveness. One percent permethrin lotion is recommended as initial treatment for most head lice infestations with a second application 7-10 days after the first. Parents and caregivers should make sure that any treatment chosen is safe; preferred treatments would be those which are easy to use, reasonably priced, and proven to be non-toxic. All products must be used exactly according to manufacturer's instructions. Your pediatrician can help with diagnosis, treatment choices and management of difficult cases.