Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp. They are about the size of a sesame seed. They lay eggs, called nits. Nits stick to the hair, very close to the scalp. Children with head lice may have itchy scalps and scratch their heads.
They can also be spread by sharing combs, hats, hairbrushes and headphones.
Head lice do not spread disease.
Nits are firmly attached to the hair, close to the scalp. They are greyish-white and oval in shape, and may look like dandruff but cannot be brushed off.
If you find any lice or nits, you will have to treat:
You can treat head lice, using the “wet-combing” method, using hair conditioner, or you can use a head lice shampoo, available at drug stores.
Ask your Public Health Nurse or Licensing Officer for a pamphlet that explains how to treat using the “wet-combing” method, or refer to the BC Health File on head lice.
Check your child’s hair for nits immediately. It’s a good idea to check children once a week for head lice.
Treat everyone living in the home on the same day and do the following things on the same day that you treat:
Let the child care centre or school know if your child has head lice.
Like hats, brushes, combs, headphones, etc.
Lice do not live long once they are off the scalp.
Print this page as featured in the guide book, Sneezes & Diseases: A Resource Book for Caregivers & Parents