What is head lice?

• Insect that lives on human hair

• Feed on small amounts of human blood

• Very common amongst school aged children

Web site source: www.headlice.com.au/the_facts

What do they look like?

Here are 2 magnified photos.

Photo courtsey of http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/lice/photo.shtml

Photo courtsey of http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/lice/photo.shtml

Photo courtsey of http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/lice/photo.shtml

What is a nit?

• The nit is the egg of the head lice.

• The egg attaches itself to the hair strand with a special glue

• They hatch after 7 days.

Photo courtsey of http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/lice/photo.shtml

Fact or Fiction?

Can head lice jump, hop, swim or fly?

They crawl very fast

Fact or Fiction?

Can head lice live on your pet?

They only live on human hair

Fact or Fiction?

Will having head lice make my head itchy?

Less than ½ the people with lead lice will have itchy heads. WOW!

How will I know if I have them?

Great question – especially as we just learnt that we may not get an itchy head!

An adult needs to check your hair

regularly for any signs of head lice or nits.

About once a weekPhoto courtsey of http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/lice/photo.shtml

What should I do if they find any?

DO NOT PANIC

Photo courtesy of clipart

Treatment should be started immediately.

* Traditional chemical treatments from the chemist

* Conditioner and comb treatment

Once treatment has started you may return to school

Photos courtesy of: http://www.myheadlicetreatment.com/resources/head-lice-picture-gallery/

Courtesy of clip art

Head Lice are strong

Photo courtesy of: http://www.nomorebugs.websyte.com.au/site.cfm?/nomorebugs/3/

Head lice cling on to your hair with their strong claws

A special comb is needed to help get rid of them

Photo courtesy of: www.ovide4headlice.com/HeadLice_FAQs.html

How do I avoid getting head lice?

Don’t share hats, brushes or hair clips with your friends or family

Get an adult to check your

hair regularly

If you have long hair tie it up during the day

Photo courtesy of: www.ehow.com/how_5401399_tie-hair-perfect-pon...

Don’t get so close to people that your head touches theirs.

Photo courtesy of: www.flickr.com/photos/annamariahorner/3429351924/

Scratch as you may.

This does not mean you have head lice!

But remember to check your head regularly

Lets stamp out the

creepy crawlies

Photo courtesy of: thedivinefeminine.blogspot.com/2008/08/becomi...