Children - Headlice

Question 1

Headlice

Answer 1

• Head lice are common in children but can affect anyone of any age
• Tiny insects that live in human hair
• Whitish to grey-brown

Question 2

Who is head lice most common in?

Answer 2

• Children: particularly around 4–11 years old
• More common in girls
• Older children and adults seem to be less prone to infection.

Question 3

Headlice and poor hygiene

Answer 3

• They are not a sign of dirty hair or poor hygiene.
• All types of hair can be affected, regardless of its length and condition.
• Washing a child’s hair will not get rid of lice which cling to hair.
• It is spread by close head-to-head contact

Question 4

Lifestyle factors

Answer 4

• Has a recent family member had head lice?
• At school?

Question 5

Symptoms of headlice

Answer 5

Asymptomatic for many
- An itchy scalp occurs in some cases. Due to allergy to the lice NOT their bitign.
- About 3 months for an itch to develop after you are infested with lice.
- Presence of headlice

Question 6

Treatment for headlice

Answer 6

Live lice should be seen to warrant treatment
Hedrin 4% (dimeticone)
Hedrin Once spray gel
wet combing method

Question 7

Treatment for asthmatics

Answer 7

Both Hedrin and Hedrin Once are suitable
Dimeticone
- they are not insecticides

Question 8

Hedrin 4% lotion

Answer 8

Dimeticone
- Topical lotion for eradication of head lice
- 6 months +
- 8hrs or over night
- Apply again after 7 days
- If a member of the family has live head lice, check the other family members and treat all other cases of live head lice which are discovered, at the same time.

Question 9

Hedrin Once

Answer 9

• Kills headlice in 15 minutes
• No need to comb, put straight on dry hair. Shampoo out
• 6 months +
• Suitable for P+BF

Question 10

Warning with Hedrin

Answer 10

• Surfaces which come into contact may become slippery
• Keep away from source of ignition - treated hair can ignite quickly
• Avoid getting in eyes
• May cause skin irritation

Question 11

Wet combing method

Answer 11

fine-toothed comb on wet haircan help get rid of headlice and nits

1) Wash the hair with shampoo and leave in conditioner.
2) Comb and straighten hair with an ordinary comb.
3) Then use the fine toothed comb starting at the scalp and combing to the end of the hair.
4) After each stroke, check the comb, then wipe or rinse the comb before the next section of hair is combed.
5) Rinse out the conditioner and repeat combing.

Question 12

When should wet combing be repeated?

Answer 12

Repeat wet combing to disrupt headlice development on cycles three, six, nine, 12 and 15 days later

Question 13

Referral

Answer 13

Severe skin/scalp conditions

Children under 6 months

Suspected scalp infection

Question 14

Non-pharmacological treatment for prevention

Answer 14

There’s nothing you can do to prevent head lice.

You can help stop them spreading by wet or dry combing regularly to catch them early.

Do not use medicated lotions and sprays to PREVENT head lice. They can irritate the scalp.

There’s no need for children to stay off school or to wash laundry on a hot wash.