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The patter of (very) tiny feet

It is estimated that more than 10 million people in the United States are infected with head lice and that a majority of sufferers are children under age 12. So if you are a parent of young children, you probably want to be on the lookout for these tiny, unwelcome guests. The best way to keep lice under control is quick detection and eradication. Schools have screening programs to find lice-infested children, and there are medications to get rid of the infestation.

What Are They?

Lice are wingless arthropod parasites that feed off human blood.
Anywhere from 50 to 150 or so of these "vampires" reside on each infected head. They feed every three to four hours, dining for 30 to 45 minutes.
A fertilized female can lay up to 150 nits or eggs on your child's head.
Once immature lice hatch, they must start feeding immediately, or die within 24 hours.

How Did They Get There?

It's a myth that head lice are a result of poor personal hygiene. Anyone who comes in contact with an infected item or person is susceptible to infection, regardless of hygiene level.
Head lice are related to fleas and ticks, but do not possess their jumping ability.
Lice have hook-like legs to cling tightly to hair and are spread by contact.
They can be transferred by hats, brushes, sheets, upholstered furniture, and rugs. Luckily, lice die within 48 to 55 hours if separated from a food source (you or your child).
Peak infection rates correspond to the times that children return to school (i.e., between August and November).
Besides schools, nursing homes, daycare centers, and other crowded places are breeding grounds for lice.

How Do You Get Rid of Them?

A cream rinse containing 1% permethrin is the primary nonprescription drug used to treat head lice.
Permethrin acts on the nerve cells of lice, paralyzing both the adult and egg forms.
For adults and children at least age 2, follow these directions:
- Shampoo, rinse, and dry hair.
- Saturate hair and scalp with permethrin cream rinse.
- Allow product to remain in hair for 10 minutes.
- Rinse out cream rinse and towel dry hair.
- Comb hair with specially designed comb provided in package with cream rinse.
Treatment may need to be repeated again one week later to kill all of the lice.

Anti-lice

Two anti-lice agents, also known as pediculicides, are approved for used without a prescription: permethrin and piperonyl butoxide with pyrethrins. They kill lice by paralyzing them. Permethrin is a synthetic form of the natural plant poison pyrethrin; it kills both lice and their eggs. Piperonyl butoxide with pyrethrins is a combination product in which the piperonyl butoxide helps the pyrethrins work better by preventing the lice from inactivating the pyrethrin. This agent, however, is only effective against lice. Retreatment is sometimes needed, usually in seven to 10 days, to prevent reinfestation from occurring.

Ingredient		Description
Anti-Lice
Permethrin	?	Do not administer to children under age 2. One application is often sufficient.
Piperonyl Butoxide with Pyrethrins	?	Do not administer to children under age 2. Two applications are often needed.

FDA-Approved Uses

Pyrethrum extract and piperonyl butoxide

For the treatment of head, pubic (crab), and body lice.

Wash Those Lice Right out of Your Hair

First, clean and dry your child's hair using a regular nonmedicated shampoo.
Shampoo 25 to 30 ml of permethrin shampoo throughout your child's hair.
Leave the shampoo in the hair for 10 minutes.
Wash out the shampoo and dry your child's hair.
Now the nits can be removed with the comb included in the product package.
Sometimes it is necessary to repeat the treatment seven to 10 days later to prevent reinfection.

Warnings

Anti-lice

Consult a physician before use or do not use if you have:

Allergy to permethrin
Open sores or wounds
Skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema

Or if you:

Are pregnant or a nursing mother
Are administering to a child under age 2
Plan to use near eyes or mouth
Plan to use on eyebrows or eyelashes
Plan to use creams, oils, or ointments simultaneously, which may enhance absorption
Are concerned about increased risk of cancer

Common Side Effects