What You Need to Know About Head Lice

Fairy LiceMothers answers common FAQ about head lice.

Now that camp season is here and back to school is around the corner, many parents want to know if there is any way to prevent lice from creeping on their children’s heads and then infesting the household. Fairy LiceMothers has the answers.

How do lice form on the head?

Head lice comes from direct head to head contact with another person who has lice. Lice cannot live anywhere except for a human head that has hair. Lice have been around since the beginning of time and is passed from one human to another.

Why does lice thrive on the head?

Head lice can only live on a human head. They drink our blood and lay their eggs on our hair. Head lice do not travel to other body parts. There are other species of lice that live in other places, but we are talking only about head lice.

How can they be killed safely?

Head lice can be killed safely with nontoxic products. There is no product that actually washes the nits (eggs) off the hair strand so nits must be manually removed with a good nit comb. The best nit comb is stainless steel with little micro grooves on each tooth. Once lice is found, two weeks of combing is essential to make sure the person is not getting it back from others who might have it within the circle of friends.

What are some prevention tips parents can look into for camp and school?

Head lice do not like anything mint scented. Parents can use a mint spray once a day to keep lice away. In addition, Fairy LiceMothers’ suggests “Once a Week Take a Peek.” Once a week parents should check their kids with a nit comb and conditioner. This way if they find evidence of lice or nits, it will be a very mild case and the chances it spread will be very slim.

What is the best way to check for lice?

The best way to check for head lice is with a nit comb and conditioner. Use a spray bottle with water and dampen the hair. Apply enough conditioner that it covers all hair from scalp to ends. Use a detangle comb and remove any tangles. Then use the nit comb. Hold the comb at an angle and graze the scalp lightly combing through to the ends of the hair. Wipe the comb on a paper towel to look for evidence of lice or nits. Comb the entire scalp from the top of the hair. Then comb all of the hair over to the right, then all hair over to the left then comb all hair from the underside. The hair must be combed in all four directions because nits are glued to one side of the hair strand. If you comb only one direction you will never get the nit out on the opposite side. For assistance with this procedure you can watch Fairy LiceMothers’ comb out video.