Page 101 - Cosmetology

STEP 6: Gently comb out gum. It should slide out easily. If it doesn't, repeat the
process.

How to Treat Head Lice

Pediculosis, better known as head lice, is an extremely contagious infestation of small
white insects known as lice. Their eggs are known as nits, and usually attach themselves
to hair close to the scalp or body. Lice are spread by sharing infested clothing and items,
and by direct personal contact.

Instructions

• STEP 1: Assess whether you or your child actually has lice. Symptoms include
itching, swollen glands in the back of the neck, foul-smelling hair, and small, oval
white or gray-white spots stuck to the hair shaft.
• STEP 2: Check for live lice and nits. Work in strong light and section the hair.
Use a fine-tooth comb (a pet flea comb works well) to find the insects and to
comb them out if possible; or remove them using tweezers, your finger-nails, or a
piece of tape wrapped around your finger, sticky side up. Adult lice are reddish-
brown; nits are white or clear and adhere to the hair shaft. They do not jump or
fly.
• STEP 3: Check everyone in the household. Lice are very contagious.
• STEP 4: Wash all bedding, recently used towels and recently worn clothing in
hot water, and dry them in a hot dryer. Soak all combs and brushes in hot water
for at least 10 minutes.
• STEP 5: Treat eyelashes and eyebrows with a thick layer of petroleum jelly.
Apply twice a day for eight days. Never use any chemical treatment on eyelashes
or eyebrows.
• STEP 6: Try using olive oil or mayonnaise on the head. There is some evidence
that it works by smothering the nits. Massage it into the hair and leave it in as
long as possible. Manually comb out the nits after the olive oil or mayonnaise
application.
• STEP 7: Use a blow dryer, as heat can kill lice and nits. But exercise
caution'avoid placing the dryer too close to the scalp.
• STEP 8: Examine the hair daily to make sure that all nits and lice are gone. If you
see more nits, it may mean that there are still lice in the hair or that re-infestation
has occurred.
• STEP 9: Report the presence of lice to your child's school so the staff or faculty
can check for an outbreak. Children with a lice infection should be kept home
from school. They can return after the lice have been removed or have been
treated with a commercial product.
• STEP 10: Check with your pharmacist to make sure that any product you plan to
use does not contain lindane. The National Pediculosis Association strongly
advises against using lindane because it has been associated with a number of
serious medical conditions, including seizures and possibly cancer.