**Are lice and nits the same thing? Lice are six legged insects. They crawl around and can be hard to spot because they can crawl quickly. Nits are eggs and are attached to the hair. They should feel smooth. Their color is off-white to brown and their size is slightly smaller than a sesame seed.

**How do I identify lice? They are approximately the size of a sesame seed. The pictures above show pictures of lice and nits.

**What do I need to do get rid of headlice? Treat with a shampoo or treatment designed for killing lice.

**There are many shampoos or treatments available, what do you suggest? Of the products available, they can be divided into chemical or non-chemical treatments. You must be very careful to follow the directions on chemical treatments as they have the possibility of exposure to toxic chemicals. There are a number of non-chemical treatments but we have had the most success with a product called "Lice R Gone".

**Where can I get Lice Shampoo? The Health Department has on hand for purchase, shampoo for lice treatment. A one time use pouch is $2.00 and a bottle, which will do 8-10 treatments is $12.00. Most pharmacys have product available as well. You can also order online. We have a link to Lice R Gone on the right side of the screen.

**How often do I need treat a person for head lice? Since a louse can lay eggs when it is 7 - 10 days old, we recommend treating 7 days since the last treatment.

**Do I have to get all the nits out? Yes! If nits are left on the head, they can live for up to two weeks, hatch and start the cycle all over again! Check daily for 14 days to be sure that all nits are gone!

**How do lice move from person to person? They crawl. They may crawl over furniture or clothing or from one head to another.

**What do I need to do to my home to get rid of lice? For a week after treating, vacuum all rooms and furniture daily, vacuum your car daily if the person that has lice was in it. Wash the bedsheets and clothing of the person with lice, soak the hairbrush/comb used in hot, soapy water for 30 minutes after each use. On days 8-14 continue to vacuum daily.

**Do animals get headlice? No animals cannot get lice.

**How can I help prevent headlice? There is no way to completely prevent lice, but using hairspray every day and pulling your hair back will help. Also if there is a school aged child in the home, putting his/her coat in an extra bookbag or trashbag while at school to help stop the passing of lice.