Head Lice discussion for lower primary

2. What is head lice?
• Insect that lives on human hair
• Feed on small amounts of human blood
• Very common amongst school aged
children
Web site source: www.headlice.com.au/the_facts

3. What do they look like?
Here are 2 magnified photos.
Photo courtsey of
Photo courtsey of
http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/lice/photo.shtml
http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/lice/photo.shtml

4. Photo courtsey of
http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/lice/photo.shtml

5. What is a nit?
• The nit is the egg of the head lice.
• The egg attaches itself to the hair strand
with a special glue
• They hatch after 7 days.
Photo courtsey of
http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/lice/photo.shtml

7. Fact or Fiction?
Can head lice jump, hop, swim or fly?
They crawl very fast

8. Fact or Fiction?
Can head lice live on your pet?
They only live on human hair

9. Fact or Fiction?
Will having head lice make my head itchy?
Less than ½ the people with lead lice will
have itchy heads. WOW!

10. How will I know if I have them?
Great question – especially as we just learnt that
we may not get an itchy head!
An adult needs to
check your hair
regularly for any signs
of head lice or nits.
About once a week
Photo courtsey of
http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/lice/photo.shtml

11. What should I do if they find any?
DO NOT PANIC
Photo courtesy of clipart

12. Treatment should be started immediately.
* Traditional chemical treatments from the chemist
* Conditioner and comb treatment
Once treatment has started you may return to school
Courtesy of clip art
Photos courtesy of:
http://www.myheadlicetre
atment.com/resources/he
ad-lice-picture-gallery/

13. Head Lice are strong
Head lice cling on to your hair with their strong claws
A special comb is needed to help get rid of them
Photo courtesy of: Photo courtesy of:
www.ovide4headlice.com/He http://www.nomorebugs.websyte.com.au/site.cfm?/
adLice_FAQs.html nomorebugs/3/

14. How do I avoid getting head lice?
Don’t share hats, brushes or hair clips with
your friends or family
Get an adult to check your
hair regularly

15. If you have long hair tie it up during
the day
Don’t get so close to people that your
head touches theirs.
Photo courtesy of:
Photo courtesy of: www.ehow.com/how_5401399_tie-hair- www.flickr.com/photos/annamariahorner/3429351924/
perfect-pon...

16. Scratch as you may.
This does not mean you have head lice!
But remember to check your head
regularly
Lets stamp out the
creepy crawlies
Photo courtesy of:
thedivinefeminine.blogspot.com/2008/08/becomi...