Head lice brochure - Kent County, Michigan

First - Do a head check to see if there’s
a problem.
You are looking for the lice or eggs (called nits). Separate the hair
strands carefully. Nits are small and stick to the hair like glue.
Check all family members.
Next - If you find lice or nits, here’s
what to do.
You can get a special lice shampoo or lice
cream rinse. Medicaid will pay for a
cream rinse called Nix. There is no need
for a prescription, but be sure to ask the
druggist or nurse how to use cream rinse
or lice shampoo. If you shampoo too often
it can hurt your child. Public Health
Nurses recommend using Nix cream rinse.
Make sure to follow the directions
carefully.
After you shampoo, check the whole
head again for nits.
The lice shampoo and cream rinse will kill the lice and nits. You
need to check the hair carefully, because the nits will stick to the
hair. Public Health Nurses recommend using a metal nit comb to
get nits out of the hair. You may also use your fingernails. You can
pick up metal nit combs at most drugstores.
(Nit comb)
Cleaning Your Home.
You’ve worked hard. Now you need to clean things in your home
that may have lice or nits on them.
1. Wash clothes, hats, scarves, sheets, blankets, and
pillow cases. Use hot water. Dry in a hot dryer.
2. Put stuffed animals and pillows in a hot dryer for 30
minutes or seal in dark plastic bags for 14 days.
3. Soak combs, brushes, barrettes, hairbands in hot
water 10 minutes.
4. You also need to vacuum your furniture, mattresses
and rugs, and the seats and rugs in your car. Throw
away the sweeper bag.
These steps are hard work, but all of them are important. If you miss a
step, you may have to start all over again.
Talk to the people at your child's school or day care. Let them
know what you have done. Ask them to do daily head checks on
all the kids who have contact with your child
*Talk to your child about not sharing combs, hats etc.
You have done a good job!
Last Step

Remember
•Do a head check to find lice or nits.
•Shampoo with a lice shampoo or lice cream rinse.
•Check the head carefully.
•Get all the nits out of the hair.
•Wash the clothes.
•Clean your home and car.
Head Lice
What Do You Do?
•Ask your doctor, nurse, or druggist for help.
•Talk to the people at your child’s school.
Kent County Health Department
700 Fuller, NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616)336-3030
Copies of this brochure are available on the Health
Department web site at www.co.kent.mi.us/health
11/95
Head lice are easy to get. Anyone can
get them. It can be hard to get rid of
them. Here’s how to make a tough job
easier.