Some of the children in the year group have had head lice

What are head lice?

Head lice live on the human head and are 2- 3 millimeters long when fully grown. They can be grey, brown or black and have 6 legs. They don't have wings and can't fly or jump. To survive, the have to suck blood from the head at least twice a day. Otherwise they die. They reproduce by sticking eggs to a strand of hair. The eggs hatch after 5 to 6 days and are often found at the back of the neck, around the ears of where the temperature is warmest. Lice can live anywhere on the head. The eggs are around 0.8 mm, oval in shape and can appear white or grey. They are stuck to the hair strand and can be seen a short distance from the head. Lice that are away from the skin on the head for more than 2 days die at normal room temperature.

How to find out if there are lice in the head

Combing the hair with a fine comb is the most effective way to find out if there are lice or eggs in the hair. Use a louse comb (‘lusekam' from the pharmacy), good light, a magnifying glass and a towel over the shoulders. Look for lice in the hair, on the towel and in the comb. Adult lice move faster in dry hair than wet hair so it is easier to see them in wet hair.

How are lice passed to others?

Lice crawl from one person to another when their heads are close together. Lice can also be passed on from borrowed hats, scarves, jumpers with high necks, combs, hairbrushes etc. They can also crawl from one piece of clothing to another when clothes are hung close together in a cloakroom. There is little chance of spreading from head pillows or furniture. The length of hair or hygiene have nothing to do with the spread of lice. Children between 4 and 12 years are affected most often.

Symptoms?

The head can start to itch several weeks after head lice have come. This itching is caused by an allergic reaction to the bites from the lice.

Treatment?

The best prevention is that parents check children for head lice regularly, for example, every week. This way, lice can be discovered before other children catch them. Comb children's hair with a louse comb at least once a week. The recommended treatment for lice, once lice or eggs are discovered, is Prioderm or Malation Liniment (which can be bought at the pharmacy). Only those who have lice or eggs should be treated. Follow the instructions on the packet carefully. It is important to check the hair every day with a lice comb for 3 weeks after treatment. When you comb hair, it should first be washed in normal shampoo and then combed carefully.

Remember: Head lice are not a problem which will cure itself. Once they have come into the hair, they have to be killed and all eggs removed in order to get rid of them.

If you find lice or eggs in your child's hair, inform the school and the parents of the children who play most often with your child. Only in this way can the spread be prevented effectively.

If you want to know more about head lice, you can visit the website of the Norwegian Public Health Institute at www.fhi.no

From the Health Visitor, Ås, November 200