Transmission may occur when children share clothing such as hats, scarves, coats, helmets, hair ribbons, combs or brushes. Lice are easily transmitted in the home to children who share beds and pillows with an infested person. If one member of the family has head lice, the parents or caretakers should screen all family members, especially children, for head lice. Treatment should involve all infested family members and the household at the same time. Nits are head lice eggs found firmly attached to the hair shaft.
Nymphs are baby lice that mature in about seven days.
Head lice and nits are very small and hard to see. The adult louse is about the size of a sesame seed with six legs and is tan to greyish-white. Lice feed on blood and usually die within two days of falling off of a host. They are most commonly found behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the neck. Prevention is the key to helping your child remain lice free.