Head lice love places where there are lots of kids, like schools and daycare centres! Small but tenacious, these insects spread rapidly from one scalp to another, causing major problems for parents and school staff.
Fortunately, if you are well-informed, you can detect the presence of lice early and implement an effective lice treatment. Let us explain everything you need to know to protect your child and the whole family!
What do lice nits look like?
At one time or another, many people have had to contend with these fearsome insects, barely bigger than the head of a pin! No one is immune, but it is possible to win the battle against lice! People who have experienced this unpleasant situation say that you have to manage it well to prevent it from continuing or recurring.
Lice nits feed on human blood. They can be found anywhere on the head, but more often on the scalp. Anyone with hair can be a lice carrier, but lice are more common in children. This is partly due to the fact that children maintain close physical contact with each other and share their personal belongings.
Why are head lice more common in daycare and school?
Daycare and school are environments where the spread of lice is facilitated. Contrary to widespread belief, live lice cannot jump from head-to-head. They are transmitted by contact with the hair of a contaminated person. It is possible, but much rarer, for shared objects (caps, scarves, brushes, etc.) to transmit lice.
The start of the school year is a great opportunity for your child to reconnect with their friends. In the hustle and bustle of this important period, we sometimes forget to worry about potential head lice.
Can you go to school with head lice?
Having head lice is not an automatic reason for not attending school. In most cases, a child with lice can keep going to school or daycare, as long as treatment has begun. That said, it is essential to quickly notify those in charge of the school or daycare so that they can take the necessary steps to limit the spread.
Each establishment can have its own policy. Some require that the lice treatment be completed before the child returns. Ask the staff at your child's school for the current rules.
Have you just received a letter from your child's school informing you that there's a lice infestation? Don't panic, your pharmacist is there to help and advise you. For more information, visit SOS LICE! and find all the information you need.
When can a child return to school after having had head lice?
Most children can return to school or daycare as soon as lice treatment has begun and live lice have been eliminated. However, it is important to continue applying the product as recommended, as some treatments require a second application after a few days to eliminate resistant nits.
Tip: It is recommended to inspect the scalp daily with a fine-toothed comb for ten days or so to ensure that no lice remain.
As an adult, can you go to work if you have head lice?
Yes, as with children, adults with head lice can continue to work, provided they start treatment as soon as possible. Unlike toddlers, adults generally have less close contact with each other, which limits transmission. That said, it is still important to treat head lice immediately, and to notify close contacts if transmission is possible.
How can you tell if you have lice?
It can be difficult to tell if your child has lice, as they may not cause any symptoms or discomfort. However, you may suspect that they do if they:
- Scratch their scalp, especially at night;
- Complain of itching or tingling;
- Have redness on the scalp;
- Are not sleeping as well as usual.
If you think your child has lice, the only way to be sure is to examine their scalp carefully, using a fine-toothed comb and good lighting.
What do lice look like?
Lice are brownish or grayish insects with six legs and no wings. They are harder to see than the nits (eggs), which are oval-shaped and the size of a grain of sand. Thanks to a natural glue, they remain attached to the hair roots and are difficult to remove.
Here's how to test for them:
- First, wet the hair with warm water (you can wash it, but don't dry it).
- Untangle the hair using a fine-tooth comb or ordinary brush.
- Make sure you have very good lighting. Use a lamp if necessary.
- Examine the hair strand by strand, from root to tip, using a specially designed fine-tooth comb. Pay particular attention to the back of the neck and behind the ears.
- Check the comb for lice after each pass. Lice resistance can be tenacious. Use a magnifying glass if necessary.
- Wipe off the comb if there are lice on it. Use a tissue and dispose of it in an airtight bag.
What to do in case of lice?
Here is what you should do if your child has lice:
- Head to your local pharmacy to get advice from your pharmacist and the right treatment for lice.
- Notify your child's daycare centre, teacher or school principal immediately, to prevent the lice from spreading to other children and their families.
- Make sure that anyone who has been in contact with them is checked for head lice.
Anyone carrying head lice or nits must undergo appropriate treatment. Preventive treatment is neither useful nor recommended.
Is there a home treatment for radically eliminating lice?
Anti-lice products and home remedies are available. Olive oil or vinegar can be applied to the scalp, but their effectiveness in completely eliminating live lice and nits has not been scientifically proven. They can temporarily suffocate head lice, but aren't enough to stop an infestation. What's more, they have no effect on the resistance of the lice, which can survive incomplete methods.
Tip: For a safe and effective lice treatment, it is best to use a lice product recommended by your pharmacist. These treatments contain agents specifically formulated to eradicate lice and their nits.
How can you prevent and infestation in your children's hair?
Keeping long hair tied back helps reduce the risk of contamination. In addition, to prevent your child from catching or transmitting head lice, encourage them to avoid:
- Contact with other children's hair (friends, classmates or daycare), especially if there is an infestation;
- Sharing objects such as hats, toques, scarves, combs, brushes, disguises, barrettes, elastics and pillowcases.
For more information on head lice and their treatment, consult your pharmacist. Our specialists will advise you on safe and effective treatment, as well as other essential measures, such as cleaning the house and objects that may harbour lice. Fill out the form to prepare for your meeting and bring it to the pharmacy.
Did you know? Your pharmacist can now prescribe the lice treatment. The treatment in question will probably be reimbursed by your insurance company, so ask at the prescription counter.
