“There is no reason to feel embarrassed about head lice. Anyone can get them, regardless of age, hygiene habits or social background. The important thing is to detect and treat them promptly. It is also important to inform people who have been in close contact with the affected person,” said Juta Varjas, Service Manager at the Department of Communicable Diseases.
Head lice are most common among children aged 3–11. They spread mainly through direct head-to-head contact, but transmission can also occur through shared items such as combs, hats or towels. Head lice cannot jump, fly or swim, but they can move quickly along hair strands. They are most commonly found behind the ears and along the hairline at the nape of the neck.
The most common symptom is an itchy scalp, although itching may not develop immediately. Therefore, it is advisable to check a child's hair even if they have no symptoms. Regular and thorough combing with a special lice comb helps detect head lice. If a child is found to have head lice, it is advisable to inform the school or kindergarten so that other parents can check their children's hair and help prevent further spread.
If one family member is found to have head lice, the hair of all other family members should also be checked. Anyone in the household found to have lice should start treatment on the same day. Head lice can be treated at home using an anti-lice product available from pharmacies. The product must be used according to the instructions. It is advisable to check the hair again 8–10 days after the initial treatment to assess its effectiveness and repeat the treatment if necessary.
Clothing and bedding that have been in contact with an infested person should be washed at a temperature of at least 60°C. Items that cannot be machine-washed can be sealed in a plastic bag for at least two weeks, treated at a high temperature or discarded.
Children can return to school or kindergarten once treatment has been carried out according to the instructions for the product used and other necessary measures have been taken to eliminate the lice. It is also important to continue checking the hair regularly after treatment and repeat the treatment if necessary.
