What to Do If You Think Your Kid Has Nits?

What are Nits?

• Nits are tiny egg cases that the louse attaches to a hair shaft. Each nit is about the size of a grain of sand and contains one egg. The louse lays the egg close the scalp, where the warmth from the child̵7;s head keeps the egg warm. After the egg hatches, the empty nit stays on the hair shaft as the hair grows. Nits range in color from white to yellow or tan.

Searching for Nits

• To spot nits, seat your child in a well lit room. Ask the child to bend his head forward so that you can look at the hair just above the nape of the neck and behind the ears. These are the warmest spots on the child̵7;s head. Carefully separate each strand of hair looking for nits. The nits may appear like tiny flecks of dandruff. However, dandruff will easily flick or fall off the hair when it is moved. Nits are adhered to the hair shaft by the mother louse and must be pulled off with your fingers or a comb. Nits are a sign that the child has lice.

Treating the Child

• The APA discourages the use of mayonnaise, petroleum jelly or other home remedies since they have not been scientifically proven effective. Kerosene should never be used. It is highly flammable and dangerous. Instead, talk to your pediatrician. There are a wide range of treatment options that include both pharmaceutical and botanical chemicals available both through prescription and over the counter. Most pediatricians advocate the use of over-the-counter treatments first. Most include a shampoo that is left on the child̵7;s head for a specific amount of time. Be sure to follow the instructions included. Do not rinse the shampoo off before the recommended time or leave the shampoo on the child̵7;s head longer. Do not use a cream rinse or conditioner unless it is included with your lice fighting kit. While the child̵7;s hair is still wet, comb through the hair with a fine-tooth comb to remove any nits left on the hair shaft. Start with the hair at the nape of the neck and behind the ears and move on until you have combed every strand of hair. Some pediatricians encourage a second treatment seven to 10 days after the first.

Treating Toddlers and Preschoolers

• The APA warns parents that many treatment options are too harsh for toddlers and preschoolers. In those cases, parents must use the ̶0;comb-out̶1; method. For this treatment, parents must comb the nits out of the child̵7;s hair every day for two weeks. Wetting the hair makes it easier to both comb and spot nits and lice.

Treating the House

• Preventing re-infestation doesn̵7;t require a lot of chemicals or cleaning the house from top to bottom. Dr. Yamini Durani of HealthyKids.org tells parents to wash any clothes or bedding the child has used. If possible, use hot water, 130 degrees or warmer, to kill any eggs. Dry the laundry in a hot dryer for at least 20 minutes. Lice don̵7;t live long off the head. Any eggs that have fallen from the child̵7;s head will die quickly if the louse hatches without a food supply. Place any hats, linens or stuffed toys that can̵7;t be laundered in a plastic bag. Seal the bag for two weeks. This assures that any nits that might hatch will die. Vacuum the furniture and floors to pick up any stray hairs or nits. Soak combs or brushes in rubbing alcohol for an hour or throw them away and purchase new items.

Back to School

• The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages schools to drop their ̶0;no nit̶1; policy. Head lice are common, don̵7;t spread disease and are easily treated. The AAP points out that head lice don̵7;t present a health threat and aren̵7;t a sign of overall poor health or hygiene. Therefore, many schools allow children to attend school with nits. Check with your child̵7;s school for an updated policy.