Return to school also means return of head lice woes

49 ABC News
August 29, 2007

In the search and treatment of head lice, a lot of the key areas are behind the ears.

Wendy Timmons knows from experience what it's like to treat head lice.

"It is a nightmare. You know, I had two children that had it, and the younger child does not cooperate. They cry, they scream, they don't understand what's going on... You have to tell them, 'you have bugs in your hair,'" she said.

Wendy tried several over-the-counter products that got rid of the lice in about four weeks.

Pediatrician Claire McCarthy says lice don't spread disease, and they're not a sign of uncleanliness.

"They're not as contagious as people think. Head lice do not fly. The heads really need to be in close proximity. You need to share a hat. You need to share a hairbrush," McCarthy said.

She says lice won't survive long once they fall off a person, but washing all clothing and bed linens in hot water can help prevent re-infestation.

"It can be a process, but with patience and perseverance they will go away," she said.

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