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An Ounce of Prevention: How to Avoid Head Lice
Head lice are very common and affect millions of adults and children alike every year. There are many ways to treat an infestation of head lice, but the easiest way to deal with head lice is to not get them at all. This is much more easily said than done, however. Children are especially prone to head lice. However, all children can be taught what to do to prevent getting head lice.
First, children and adults alike should never share combs or brushes. Using someone else’s hair care items most commonly spreads head lice. While adult head lice will usually starve and die within twenty four hours of leaving the host’s head, that is more than enough time to survive between the bristles of a hair brush before being brushed onto someone else’s head. It is also possible to spread head lice by sharing helmets, headbands and even earphones. When it comes to anything that makes contact with the head, the best rule of thumb is, do not share.
Borrowing hats, sweaters and coats is also dangerous when it comes to head lice. Anything that has made contact with a person’s hair can carry live adult head lice that are capable of starting an infestation. Scarves, baseball caps and other items can carry lice.
In addition, if a parent is concerned that their child might have head lice, they should prevent their child from attending sleepovers and other parties where they might experience head to head contact with other children. Sharing pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals during a sleep over or a play date with other children can also spread lice. Although the child will not appreciate the loss of social time due to their case of head lice, their friends will greatly appreciate not being exposed to these parasites.
It is also important to teach children to hang up their coats and hats during the winter months, rather than putting them in a pile or a stack with other coats and hats. If one child in the class has head lice, the adult head lice present on the collar of their coat or within their stocking cap can crawl to the other coats and hats in the pile. This can quickly spread the head lice parasite infestation throughout a class, day care center or playground.
Finally, if a parent suspects that his or her child has head lice, they should take action immediately. Examine the child’s scalp under a bright lamp or in strong, natural sunlight for the best visibility. A magnifying glass can also be used. Part the hair with a pencil or stick, and thoroughly search the child’s head for tiny white specks on the hair strands near the scalp. These are nits, and are the eggs of the head lice. Often, a parent will not see adult lice because they are very well camouflaged. If nits or lice are found, treat the child immediately and check all other family members.
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Mon 15 Mar 2010 17:02:54 CST | |