All the lice facts for all your lice questions.

The more you know about lice, the more success you’ll have in eliminating them!

All the lice facts for all your lice questions.

Head lice

What are head lice? What do they look like?

Head lice are tiny, wingless insects that live on the human scalp and feed on blood to survive. They are generally found behind the neck and ears. Sometimes lice can be found on eyebrows and eyelashes.

They can be tan, brown, or grayish-white, and can be seen without magnification. An adult head louse is about the size of a sesame seed and can live for 30 days on a person’s head but can only survive up to 2 days if it falls off and cannot feed. Adult female head lice are usually larger than males. They can lay about 6 eggs (nits) a day.

What are nits?

Nits are lice eggs laid by adult female lice. When treating a lice infestation, it’s important to remember that any remaining live nits will hatch after about 7-10 days and must be removed or killed.

Nits are generally found at the bottom of the hair shaft, close to the scalp, and are most easily seen on the back of the neck or behind the ears. The size of poppy seeds and usually yellow to white, nits can be difficult to find because they can easily blend in with the color of the infested person’s hair. Sometimes mistaken for sand, dandruff, or hairspray droplets, nits are not easily removed. They are firmly attached to the hair with a glue-like substance that can’t be washed or blown away.

Once lice have hatched from eggs, they leave empty nits or casings behind. Live eggs (nits) will usually die within a week if they are not kept at the same temperature as that found near the scalp.

Who is at risk for getting head lice?

In the United States, head lice are most common among children in childcare or elementary school, as well as people living in the same household as an infested individual. It is estimated that 6 million to 12 million infestations occur each year in the United States among children 3 to 11 years of age.

How do I know if my child has head lice?

The most common symptom of an infestation is itching. However, an infestation may continue even after the itching stops. With a first case of head lice, itching may not develop for 4 to 6 weeks. In fact, an infestation may be present even if there is no itching.

Other symptoms include a tickling sensation of something moving in the hair. Some children may be irritable and have difficulty sleeping, whereas others may experience no symptoms. Never initiate treatment unless there is a clear diagnosis of head lice.

Is combing recommended when treating lice?

The use of lice combs is recommended for removal and maximum effectiveness for most lice treatments. After each treatment, check the hair and comb with a lice comb starting at the base of the hair shaft, close to the scalp. The CDC advises to continue checking for 2-3 weeks to be sure all lice and nits are gone. A lice comb is included in all RID® treatment kits. Always read and follow directions on lice treatment kits.

Can animals get/carry head lice?

No. The types of lice that infest humans do not live on pets or other animals. Other types of lice live on animals, but these lice do not infest humans. If there is a concern that an animal may have lice, please refer to a vet for additional information. RID® is not approved for use on animals.

How are lice spread?

The most common way of getting head lice is through head-to-head contact with another infested person. Spreading lice by sharing personal items can happen although it’s not as common. Lice cannot fly or jump, but they can crawl very quickly. In fact, lice are not likely to leave a healthy head unless there is a heavy infestation.

To help keep lice from spreading, avoid head-to-head contact and don’t share or borrow hair items (combs, headbands, etc.), headgear (hats, headphones, etc.), or other personal items. RID® Daily Defense Shampoo & Conditioner can also be used to help keep lice away from hair.

ARE head lice more common with dirty hair? Can head lice spread disease?

The answer to both questions is no. Although some people may believe there is a connection between head lice and hygiene, this is not true. The truth is personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home or school has nothing to do with getting head lice. Furthermore, head lice are not known to spread disease and, as such, should not be considered a significant medical or public health hazard.

Can lice be spread by swimming?

While head lice can live underwater for several hours, they tend to hold tightly to human hair and not let go when underwater. Lice are not likely to be spread by the water in a swimming pool. The levels of chlorine found in pool water do not kill head lice.

What should I do with personal and other items that have come in contact with the infested individual’s hair?

You should wash clothing and linens that have come into contact with the head of the person with head lice while they had the infestation. Disinfect hats, hair ribbons, scarves, coats, towels, and bed linens by machine washing in hot water (above 54 °C (130 °F)), then using hottest dryer cycle for at least 20 minutes. Items that cannot be washed (bedspreads, blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, etc.) should be dry-cleaned or sealed in a plastic bag for 4 weeks, then moved outdoors and shaken out very hard before using again. Items that cannot be washed, dry-cleaned, or stored may be sprayed with RID® SUPER MAX Home Control Spray. Soak all combs and brushes in hot water (above 54 °C (130 °F)) for at least 10 minutes and vacuum all carpets, mattresses, upholstered furniture, and car seats that may have been used by an affected person.

Super lice

What are super lice?

Super lice, like regular lice, are parasitic insects that can live on the scalp and feed on human blood. Due to a genetic mutation, super lice have developed resistance to the common active ingredients found in over-the-counter treatments that kill lice. Super lice are becoming more common given the widespread use of traditional pesticide-based treatments.

What do super lice look like?

Super lice are indistinguishable in appearance from head lice. They are tiny, wingless insects that live on the human scalp. They are about as big as sesame seeds and can be seen without magnification. However, egg (nits) are about the size of poppy seeds and are challenging to see because their color can easily blend in with the infested child’s hair.

What are the symptoms of super lice?

The symptoms of super lice are the same as regular lice. The most common sign of an infestation is itching. However, an infestation may continue even after the itching stops. With a first case of head lice, itching may not develop for 4 to 6 weeks. In fact, an infestation may be present even if there is no itching.

Some children experience no symptoms. Never initiate treatment unless there is a clear diagnosis of head lice.

How do I determine if it’s super lice?

Because super lice and lice don’t differ in appearance, the same lice detection process should be followed.

How do you GET super lice?

Super lice spread in the same manner as regular lice, the most common of which is through head-to-head contact with another infested person or by sharing personal items. Lice cannot fly or jump, but they can crawl very quickly. In fact, lice are not likely to leave a healthy head unless there is a heavy infestation.

How do you prevent super lice?

To prevent an infestation from spreading, don’t allow head-to-head contact and don’t share or borrow hair items (e.g., combs, headbands, etc.), headgear (e.g., hats, headphones, etc.), or other personal items.

About RID®

What is different about RID® SUPER MAX compared to traditional lice treatment products?

Traditional lice treatments use pesticide-based ingredients to kill lice through a chemical mechanism, but many lice have built a genetic resistance to these types of treatments over time. These lice are called super lice. RID® SUPER MAX pesticide-free formulas kill lice differently, working 100% via their lice-suffocating action, thus killing even super lice. That’s why RID® SUPER MAX and RID® SUPER MAX Sensitive Skin treatment solutions are clinically shown to be 2X MORE EFFECTIVE than Nix® permethrin-based lice treatment.

* Clinical Study on File: RID® SUPER MAX Lice Treatment Solution, RID® SUPER MAX Sensitive Skin Lice Treatment Solution versus Nix® permethrin 1% Créme Rinse.

Nix® is a registered trademark of Prestige Brands.

Why is Defense Important?

After treating hair, lice can survive for 1-2 days away from a human host in the home environment. In addition, after an infestation at school or camp, your child may be re-exposed to circulating lice upon return to the same setting. That’s why RID® SUPER MAX lice treatment solution and RID® SUPER MAX Advanced Shampoo Lice Treatment are enhanced with lice defense ingredients to help defend against new lice for up to 3 days after treatment.

When used daily, RID® Daily Defense Shampoo & Conditioner provides ongoing 24/7 defense against new lice upon return to school or camp. It is also safe to use as an everyday shampoo if there is a lice outbreak or it can be used by other family members if lice have been detected in the household. RID® Daily Defense Shampoo & Conditioner is included in the RID® SUPER MAX 5-in-1 Treat & Defend Complete Lice Treatment Kit. It is also sold separately.

How long should I treat?

All RID® SUPER MAX head lice treatments kill lice, super lice, and eggs (nits). When using these treatments, check hair after 7 to 10 days and repeat treatment if any lice or eggs (nits) are present.

When using RID® Lice Killing Shampoo (included in the RID® Lice Treatment Complete Kit for Hair & Home), it is recommended that you retreat in 7-10 days to kill any newly hatched lice.

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