Head lice are wingless insects with flattened,
elongated bodies about the size of a match head. They have three pairs of legs with large
claws that enable them to grip tightly onto the hair. Human lice are very hard to see - they move very quickly and their gray to brown color blends in with the scalp.
Lice are transmitted by close personal contact
with an infested person’s head or by sharing articles of clothing and personal items such as hats, batting helmets, headbands, scarves, caps, combs and brushes. People who
become infected in school will carry lice home and may infest family members.
Several "over-the-counter" products are
available for the treatment of head lice. Many kill both the live adults and the eggs. One or two additional treatments at 7-10 day intervals are sometimes needed to entirely eliminate the problem. It is important for your friend to follow the directions on the shampoo, and use a freshly cleaned towel when finished with
shampooing.
