The good news about head lice is that they carry no diseases that we know of. That does not take away from the “yuck factor,” nor does it make handling the problem easier. Fortunately, there are things you can do both to prevent them and to get rid of them quickly.
Prevention
Don’t Share: Sharing is a good concept, but not when it comes to lice. Sharing, hats, ribbons, brushes and other items meant for the hair or head can spread the lice around a playground fast. Even shared helmets are problematic.
Wipe it Down: If sharing is necessary, such as the above mentioned helmet, have him or her wipe it down with an antiseptic wipe.
Weekly Check: This is easier said than done if your child has very long, thick and/or curly hair, but it is necessary. There are special comes for this, called nit combs. They are metal and have tines very close together. These can detach any nits from the hair shaft so you can catch the problem early and avoid a lot of the work that comes from a full blown case of head lice.
Prevention Products: When our kids were little, I made my own herbal rinse to help prevent head lice, and it worked. Now there is a line of organic products that could help you the same way.
One word of caution, natural products can have just as many interactions as chemical products can. Check with your pediatrician to make sure that your child will be safe if you use them.
My Kid has Lice!
First, don’t panic. This does not mean that you aren’t taking good care of your child. In fact, lice don’t like dirty hair, they can’t attach to it. They prefer a nice, clean hair shaft.
A couple of generations ago, a case of lice would mean a quick trip to very short hair. Thankfully, that’s not needed anymore. Unless you or your child wants the change, you can leave it alone.
It is sometimes necessary to have a doctor both confirm that the problem is lice and to help you choose the best solution. There are now two routes to pick from. One is chemical and the other is natural. As mentioned above, your pediatrician can give you advice as to which one is best for you.
If your child has developed full blown lice, you will have to wash all bedding he or she has used. This includes throwing pillows into the dryer for twenty minutes and running the vacuum. It would also be wise to shampoo fabric upholstery and carpeting. Leather upholstery can be wiped down with distilled water or other products per the manufacturer’s directions.
Brushes, combs and hats should also be treated. If the items are washable, water that’s over 130 degrees should work. If not, place them in a plastic bag and seal it up.
Lice are nasty creatures, but they aren’t dangerous. With the materials available today, the problem can be dealt with much more easily than they could fifty years ago.