Lice Facts Every Mom Should Know

Finding head lice in your child’s hair can trigger instant panic. Your mind may race through everything that needs to be washed, everyone who may have been exposed, and how quickly you can make the lice disappear.

Or perhaps you are no longer panicking. You are simply exhausted. You have treated your child two or three times, combed for hours, washed mountains of laundry—and somehow the lice are still there.

First, take a breath. Head lice are frustrating, but they are manageable. Understanding a few important facts can help you replace panic with a practical plan.

Lice are not a sign of poor hygiene

Head lice do not care whether your child’s hair is clean or dirty. Having lice does not mean your home is unclean, and it certainly does not mean you have failed as a parent.

Schoolchildren commonly get lice because they play, hug, whisper, take selfies and sit with their heads close together. Lice spread primarily through direct hair-to-hair contact. They crawl; they cannot jump or fly.

Make sure you are actually dealing with lice

Dandruff, hair-product residue, scabs and other debris are frequently mistaken for lice eggs. A nit is firmly attached to the hair shaft with a very strong protein-based glue and will not brush away easily. Nits are most often found behind the ears and near the back of the neck.

The clearest evidence of an active infestation is finding a live, crawling louse. (American Academy of Pediatrics)

A failed treatment does not mean you failed

Permethrin-based products have been used for decades and remain common over-the-counter treatments. However, the CDC acknowledges that some head lice have developed resistance to 1% permethrin.

Permethrin is intended to kill live lice, but resistant lice may survive treatment. It also does not reliably kill unhatched eggs, which is why the product directions usually require another treatment several days later. (CDC clinical guidance)

Treatment can also fail because the infestation was misdiagnosed, the directions were not followed precisely, conditioner interfered with the product, eggs survived, or the child was exposed to lice again after treatment. (CDC treatment guidance)

When live lice remain active after a properly applied treatment, repeatedly using more of the same unsuccessful product is not necessarily the answer. The CDC advises against treating someone more than two or three times with a medication that is not working. A pediatrician or another healthcare professional can help you consider a different approach.

Most importantly, do not blame yourself. A treatment failure may be a problem with the treatment—not with your effort as a parent.

You do not need to fumigate your house

Head lice need human blood to survive. Check everyone in the household and treat people with active infestations at the same time. It is also recommended that you treat anyone who shares a bed with an infested person. Pets do not carry or spread human head lice.

Focus your energy on careful treatment, thorough inspection and sensible cleaning—not panic-driven fumigation, throwing away your child’s belongings or filling your home with harsh chemicals. There are practical, less-toxic ways to handle toys, laundry, bedding, furniture and other items that may have come into contact with an infested person.

Most importantly, be kind to yourself and your child. Lice can happen to any family. Your child does not need shame, and you do not need guilt. You need accurate information, an effective treatment plan and the reassurance that this problem can be solved.