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Treatment: The Iowa Department of Public Health recommends a 14-day
FACTS ABOUT treatment process. You may use over-the-counter products. They are safe
and not costly. Mark your calendar to help you keep track of treatment.
14 Day Treatment Guidelines
89+ Lice at various
What does head lice look like? Since stages of their The treatment days are scheduled to
interrupt the lifecycle of the insect. A nit
adult lice are the size of a sesame seed life cycle comb should be used to comb the hair and
(2-3mm), head lice can be seen by the can be bought at most pharmacies.
human eye. They live in human hair, draw Day 1: Use an over-the-counter medicated
blood from the skin, and lay eggs (called head-lice shampoo containing pyrethrin or
nits) on the hair shaft. Live nits are found Treatment Calendar permethrin. Read and follow all directions
less than 1/2 inch from the scalp and most on the shampoo.
often on hair at the back of the head in the Day 1 Day 8 Day 2: COMB hair carefully for 15 minutes
neck region. Some children with lice Medicated Shampoo, condition from the scalp to the end of the hair. Do not
complain of itchiness but many have no shampoo and COMB wash hair today.
symptoms. Days 3-9: Wash the hair using your regular
Is your child at risk? Yes. Head lice will Day 2 Day 9 shampoo. Rinse. Apply hair conditioner to
make the hair slippery. COMB the hair the
spread as long as children play together. COMB only Shampoo, condition entire length from the scalp to end of hair.
They spread almost completely through DO NOT WASH and COMB Wipe the comb between each stroke with a
human hair to hair contact, and pets do Day 3 Day 10 paper towel, which removes any lice or nits.
not spread lice. Anyone can get head lice. Keep hair wet while combing. COMB all hair
Children in child care, preschools, Shampoo, condition Medicated for at least 15 minutes.
and COMB
shampoo
elementary or middle schools are at risk. Day 10: Use an over-the-counter medicated
Head lice are NOT a sign of being dirty. Day 4 Day 11 head-lice shampoo. (to kill any lice that
Head lice are not dangerous and DO hatched since the previous medication use)
NOT spread diseases. Shampoo, condition COMB only Read and follow all directions on the
and COMB DO NOT WASH shampoo.
What can you do? Parents are the key to Day 11: COMB hair carefully for at least 15
looking for and treating head lice! The Day 5 Day 12 minutes from the scalp to the end of the
Iowa Department of Public Health advises Shampoo, condition Shampoo, condition hair. Do not wash hair today.
parents to spend 15 minutes each week and COMB and COMB
on each child carefully looking for head lice Days 12-14: Wash the hair using regular
shampoo. Rinse. Apply hair conditioner to
or nits. Persons with nits within ¼ inch of Day 6 Day 13 make the hair slippery. COMB the hair the
the scalp OR live lice should be treated. Shampoo, condition Shampoo, condition entire length from the scalp to the end of
Careful use of a nit comb can potentially and COMB and COMB hair. Wipe the comb between each stroke
remove all lice. Each child should have his with a paper towel, which removes any lice
or her own comb or brush. Teach your Day 7 Day 14 or nits. Keep hair wet while combing.
COMB all hair for at least 15 minutes.
child NOT to share hats, scarves, brushes, Shampoo, condition Shampoo, condition
combs, and hair fasteners. and COMB and COMB
