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Head Lice

Head Lice. Last updated: 05/12/2011. Today…. What are head lice? How are head lice spread? How to tell if you or someone you know has head lice How to look for head lice How to treat head lice Questions?. What are head lice?. Small, wingless insects

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Head Lice

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  1. Head Lice Last updated: 05/12/2011

  2. Today… • What are head lice? • How are head lice spread? • How to tell if you or someone you know has head lice • How to look for head lice • How to treat head lice • Questions?

  3. What are head lice? • Small, wingless insects • Feed on scalp, often found behind ears and near base of neck • Females lay up to 8 eggs (nits) per day • Not dangerous, not a sign of poor hygiene

  4. Life cycle of a louse

  5. How do head lice spread? • Do NOT fly or jump • Crawl from head to head by direct contact. • Unable to move on smooth surfaces like plastic

  6. Symptoms of head lice • Itchy scalp • Sensation of something moving in the hair • Red sores on the scalp caused by scratching

  7. Looking for head lice • Check first in dry hair • Comb hair using hair conditioner: • Use a fine-tooth ‘nit’ comb • Wipe combings on white tissue • Use a magnifying glass to see eggs

  8. Treating head lice • Insecticide preparations • Herbal preparations • Conditioner and comb method

  9. Considerations for treatment • Only treat scalps that have head lice • Talk to your pharmacist if treating: • babies under 12 months. • pregnant or breastfeeding women • people with inflamed or irritated scalps

  10. Types of formulas • Insecticide preparations • Chemicals to attack lice nervous systems • Available as foams, lotions and shampoos • Herbal preparations • Contain herbal and essential oils • Available as lotions or foams

  11. How to apply a head lice treatment

  12. Why treatments may not work • Lice can develop resistance to insecticide preparations • Treatment may fail due to • Too short contact time • Incorrect application • Product ineffective against lice

  13. 10-day hair conditioner treatment

  14. How to reduce the chance of getting head lice Image by Susan Fitzgerald http://www.flickr.com/photos/spin_spin/2783907610/ Use conditioner and comb method weekly Clean lice combs between use in hot soapy water Tie back long hair Talk about your anti-lice management methods Talk to your pharmacist about treating head lice

  15. Further reading • Head Lice (Vic gov) http://www.health.vic.gov.au/headlice/ http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Head_lice_treatment_and_control?OpenDocument • Head Lice Fact Sheet (WA gov) http://www.health.wa.gov.au/docreg/Education/Diseases/Communicable/Parasitic/HP0149_head_lice_FS.pdf • Head Lice (Qld gov) http://access.health.qld.gov.au/hid/InfectionsandParasites/Parasites/headLice_fs.asp 15

  16. Any questions? 16

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