Head lice • Back to Growing Up Healthy  Head Lice Screening and Exclusion in Schools: Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit Withdrawal of Involvement Not really a health issue, but a real challenge to deal with if they arrive in your home. Here are some facts on head lice and how to get them out of your life. How to Get Rid of Head Lice: Choose a head lice treatment. Discuss head lice products with your pharmacist.   Apply head lice treatment according to the directions. Repeat the treatment in 7 days. If you see live lice one to two days following treatment, use another product right away. Follow with a second treatment 7 days after that one. Remove the eggs (nits) : comb tangles out of hair sit in bright light work on small sections of hair at a time slide each individual egg down the hair shaft and put it into a garbage bag remember to check close to the head for newly laid eggs All eggs (nits) must be removed even if the treatment product claims to kill eggs. It only takes a couple of live eggs hatching on the head to start head lice all over again. Most schools and day cares enforce a "NO NIT" policy. Check every day so that the nits are found and removed before they can hatch. Please notify others such as schools, daycare or sports teams so other parents can check their children for head lice. Clean up at home. On the same day that the head lice treatment is done: Wash bedding and towels in hot water wash hats, coats and clothing in hot water soak hair brushes, combs and hair accessories in boiling water for 10 minutes put pillows in hot dryer for 20 minutes vacuum carpets, play areas, upholstered furniture and car seats, discard vacuum bag Options for items that can not be washed: dry clean or seal in a plastic bag for 1 to 2 weeks or double bag and put into deep freezer for 24 hours Spray insecticides are NOT recommended, as they may be harmful to people and pets. Check family and close friends. Anyone can get head lice, even babysitters and grandparents. All affected people should be treated at the same time. Do not treat anyone unless head lice or eggs (nits) are found on their head. Commercial Treatments: There are several commercial products available from the drugstore. If you choose one of these products, ask the pharmacist to explain how they are used. Some products may cause an allergic reaction. Ask the pharmacist what to use if you are allergic to ragweed or chrysanthemums. Pregnant moms, breastfeeding moms and children under two years consult a doctor before choosing a product or call MOTHERISK 1-800-267-1373.Use gloves when treating other people. Hair conditioners, hair sprays, mousse and styling gels all coat hair and make it difficult for head lice treatment to work. Do not use these products when trying to get rid of head lice. Other Treatments Tea tree oil -available as pure oil or in shampoo form at many health food and drug stores. Ask at the store for instructions on how to use. Repeat in 1 to 2 days and again in 1 week. Mineral oil and vinegar - Mix together 1/2 cup each of mineral oil and vinegar. Apply generously. Cover head with shower cap for 1 hour. Wash off. Margarine or mayonnaise - Cover hair and scalp completely with margarine or mayonnaise. Cover head with shower cap. (safety re: suffocation) * Not to be used overnight or on small children* Leave on for 8 hours. Wash hair to remove margarine or mayonnaise. Check heads every day for head lice and nits. To the top