Kids share a lot of things at school – toys, crayons, snacks. Unfortunately they also share things like lice too. This article addresses: what you need to know about lice, what you can do to prevent lice, how to check for lice, and what to do if you find lice.
What you need to know about lice:
* A nit is an egg, a louse is the adult insect
* Lice can live up to 30 days and can lay 4-5 eggs per day
* Head lice can live off a human head for up to 48 hours and live on a head for approx 30 days
* You can get a general idea how long your child has had lice by the amount of eggs in their hair
* Contrary to popular belief, lice do NOT jump or fly. Lice are usually transmitted by direct head to head contact with an infested person or their belongings
* Lice change color depending on when they eat. They can be gray, brown or black. They get darker after they feed.
* Lice are all different sizes depending on their age. They can grow to 2 ½ times the size of a sesame seed.
* A newly hatched egg (nit) is black and gets lighter as it ages
* Lice are most common in children 5-12 years old because of their play habits.
* Head lice have nothing to do with lack of cleanliness. In fact, lice prefer clean, healthy heads.
* The most common symptom of a head lice infestation is persistent itching, particularly around the ears, back of neck and crown. Also check for small, red bumps or sores.
* The International Journal of Dermatology 2007 found that Tea Tree Oil is most effective at repelling lice, even more effective than Deet. Tea Tree Oil is a natural antiseptic and repels lice the same way that Citronella works to repel mosquitoes.
What you can do to prevent lice:
* DO NOT wash your child’s hair everyday. Build up of natural oils fortifies the hair shaft, making it more difficult for lice to attach.
* Make sure that your children are aware of the best ways to prevent lice. Teach your child to never share brushes, hats, helmets, scarves, jackets, etc.
* This is just as important to emphasize during the school year as it is before camp! Anytime your kids are involved in activities with other children, they are at risk: sports teams, dance troupes, sleepovers, etc.
How to check for lice:
* Part hair in straight line down the back of the head to view the most scalp area
* You need to look for the nits because the lice run from the light, making it hard to spot them
* Nits are tiny white to light gray colored eggs with a pearly shine and are a tear drop shape.
* Nits always attach to one side of the hair shaft and do not come off easily. That is how you know the difference between nits & dandruff or dried gel.
* Repeat part behind ears, checking in sections
* If you think you see a nit, run your finger over it. A nit will feel hard like a shell and will not move. It is glued on tight to the hair shaft.
* Also check for small, red bumps or sores.
What to do if you find lice:
* Don’t panic! You do not want your child to feel embarrassed or stressed out.
* Call your pediatrician; they may provide lice-removal services or may be able to refer to you a service in your town.
* Keep in mind that lice cannot survive on furniture for more than 24-48 hrs and need a fibrous surface to attach to such as clothing, towels, etc.
* Wash all bedding in hot water each morning and dry on high heat. Vacuum furniture, rugs, stuffed animals, car seats.
* Isolate any clothes, bed linens, towels in a sealed bag for at least 10 days.
* Remove all hair on brushes & combs, clean with hot soapy water and isolate for 3-5 days.
* Dying hair doesn’t kill lice – this is a common misconception.
* Lice cannot easily survive in an oily environment; to keep things at bay until you can get care, apply a few drops of olive oil on your child’s scalp and hair
* Be sure to check everyone in the household and notify the parents of children your child has been in contact with. You should also contact your child’s School Nurse; they are trained to notify the school administration with discretion.
* It is best to wait at least two (2) weeks after completing treatment before taking your child for a haircut.
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