Say the word “lice” and you immediately get the heebie-jeebies. It's a natural reaction. After all, the thought of tiny critters living in your hair and drinking your blood is not very appealing. Still, head lice are a common childhood problem, especially now that ‘back to school’ is here.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) there are six to 12 million infestations every year, particularly with kids age’s three to twelve. “The most important thing to remember is that a case of head lice is a hassle, but it isn't a disease, nor does it cause disease.” [Sue Will, President of the National Association of School Nurses].
Following are some things to do to hopefully help your child, and your family, avoid this problem …
Lice LOVE clean hair !
Now do not get the wrong idea, we’re not saying do not wash your child’s hair. We’re not saying do a lousy job and do not fully wash your child's hair. What we are saying is to add a bit of product to your child's clean, fully washed hair. Every morning, when you fix their hair before they go out for the day, put some mousse or gel or leave in conditioner or hair detangler spray or hair gloss or hair smoothing /fly away serum in their hair.
Lice do not like "dirty" hair. Where as your child has clean hair and you added a bit of product to it, the lice consider it as "dirty".
Always remind your kids daily to not share hats, coats, clothes, hair barrettes, hair ties, hair brushes, ear muffs etc. with other children at school
Lice can be carried over to your child by these types of items. Tell your child if another child at school does use their hats, coats, clothes, hair barrettes, hair ties, hair brushes, ear muffs etc without your child's permission; they should not use these items for the rest of the day and put them in their backpacks till they get home so you can properly sanitize the item. No once can really see lice on these objects, so the best way to be sure not to contract lice from them is to keep the object as far away from your hair and body as possible.
Remind your children not to put their heads against other children's heads.
Have you ever seen two kids put their heads against each other? Being cute, being silly, whatever they are doing it is a good way to get lice.
Keep your child clean.
Not all kids get clean in a bath tub. It is generally best to have your kids shower instead of take a bath, unless you plan to rinse your child with clean fresh water after they take a bath. Think about it, your child is in a bath tub full of non moving, non filtering, water. They are washing their bodies and hair with soap and shampoo and where does all that dirt go? Into the water your child is sitting in, attempting to get clean in.
Baths are not bad, just be sure to rinse with some clean, fresh water after the bath to ensure your child is actually getting clean from their bath.
