When children are close together in group situations, an unintended consequence could be increased risk of exposure to head lice.   

 

“In general, when your child is in a group situation, they run the risk of being exposed to lice because you have kids from different home environments coming together at one focal point,” said Justin Talley, head of Oklahoma State University’s Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. 

 

While transmission tends to spike in late fall into winter and spring, a child could contract lice at any point during the year.  

 

“The critical thing is prevention and talking to your child about not sharing their personal items such as combs, brushes and bed linens, especially pillows,” said Talley, who stressed that lice are a common problem throughout the United States.  

 

“Anyone can get head lice. It’s not about cleanliness. It doesn’t matter where you live. It’s a matter of who you come into close contact with,” he said.  

 

Head lice are blood-sucking insects that can only be transmitted from person to person through contact such as through sharing a pillow, comb or brush.  

 

Infestations can take between five and 10 days to develop after exposure, depending on temperature and the condition of the infested person’s hair.  

 

“If you see your child scratching their head or exhibiting abnormal behavior where they’re flicking their hair or scratching more than usual, then check for lice. School nurses are also trained to identify lice,” Talley said.  

 

The easiest way to check for lice is to part the hair all the way to the scalp every 2 to 3 inches all over the hair, and especially in the back toward the neck. Head lice range in color from creamy white to brown and are visible with the naked eye.  

 

“They’ll be active, crawling on and near the scalp,” Talley said. 

 

In cases of suspected lice infestation, there are over-the-counter lice control shampoos available. If the infestation is severe or if the over-the-counter product doesn’t work, stronger alternatives may be available by prescription from a medical professional.  

 

Whether using over-the-counter or prescription treatments, lice control products typically require a second application 10 to 14 days after the initial application.  

 

“Regardless of the product you’re using, the second application is critically important because the first application doesn’t kill the eggs. Reapplying the product after about 10 days allows those eggs to hatch so you’re killing the remaining nymphs,” Talley said.  

Families also should launder the bed linens, especially the pillowcases, in the case of possible head lice infestations. Items should be washed in hot water above 125 degrees Fahrenheit and dried on a high heat setting.