Nothing compares to the itching and annoyance of lice, and no one wants to go through it. Head lice are a common issue for both children and adults. Head lice are easy to catch and can affect anyone, despite their association with poor hygiene. Lice are disgusting, but they are also avoidable. Preventing head lice is easy.
What Are Head Lice?
Head lice are little insects that lay their eggs in hair follicles and feed on human blood. Head lice are most commonly found in children but can affect people of any age. They are a nuisance and can be difficult to eliminate, but they are not dangerous and do not spread disease.
A head lice infestation is one of the most uncomfortable health conditions to cope with; in addition, permanently ridding your house of lice can be extremely difficult. For these reasons, it is always best to take precautions against you or anyone in your household becoming infested.
Preventing head lice infestations starts with knowledge. Head lice are found in all countries, cultures, and social classes. It’s important to understand that anyone can catch head lice, regardless of race or social standing.
Head lice do not discriminate regarding whose head they choose to reside on. People with good hygiene can be infested just as fast as someone with bad hygiene. Once this concept is understood, you can then tackle the preventative measures that will need to be taken to ensure that you avoid a head lice infestation.
If you have school-aged children, you must examine their heads regularly for signs of head lice. This age group is most often infested, especially girls, as they like to share hair accessories and hats. If you check your child’s head regularly, you will likely catch it before it becomes very bad. Head lice are easier to treat if caught early.
Talk to your children about not sharing personal items with other children at school, such as hats, scarves, combs, etc. This is very important, as this is usually how head lice spread.
If you become aware that someone you or your children have frequent contact with has become infested with head lice, immediately check everyone’s hair in the house. If you are still looking for something, keep checking daily for a while. Head lice spread quickly, and you may become infested before knowing someone near you has it.
In addition, even if the infected person near you treats the head lice infestation, they could quickly become re-infested. The most important thing to remember about avoiding a head lice infestation is to be diligent, especially when children are in the house.
How Do You Get Head Lice?
It’s that time of year again. The kids are back in school, and head lice are making the rounds. Here’s how to stay sane and avoid these pests.
Head lice are spread through direct contact. That means sharing hats, brushes, or other personal items with someone with lice. They can also be spread by coming into contact with something that a person with lice has used, like a pillow or towel.
How Can You Avoid Getting Head Lice?
Head lice are a significant issue for parents. But there are ways to avoid getting head lice in the first place. Here are some tips:
1. Keep your hair clean and brushed. Head lice like dirty hair because it’s a suitable environment for them to lay their eggs. So if you keep your hair clean, you’re less likely to get head lice.
2. Don’t share combs or brushes with other people. Sharing combs or brushes spreads head lice. So if you use your own comb or brush, you’re less likely to get head lice from someone else.
3. Don’t share hats, towels, pillows, or personal items with other people.
If you do find yourself with lice, don’t panic!
Treat everyone in your household who has them to prevent re-infestation. Many over-the-counter treatments are effective in getting rid of them. Follow the directions carefully and comb through your hair thoroughly to remove all the nits (lice eggs).
Keep Your Hair Clean and Brushed
Nobody wants to deal with head lice. They’re not only gross but also difficult to get rid of. Cleaning and brushing your hair is the most effective way to avoid head lice. Use a mild shampoo regularly. These tips will help you prevent head lice and keep your hair clean:
- Don’t share combs or brushes with other people.
- Keep your hair pulled back and away from your face.
- Avoid using hats or other headgear that has been worn by someone else.
Head Lice Treatment
Treat immediately! Head lice can be difficult to eradicate. They are hardy parasites that can survive up to 2 days without a blood meal. The longer you wait to treat them, the harder it will be for you to eliminate them. Treating head lice requires a multi-pronged approach. The first step is removing the lice and their eggs, which are called nits. To treat them effectively, you must use chemical and non-chemical remedies.
You will also want to use a nit comb, which can be purchased at your local drugstore. The comb can find any nits still clinging to their hair and remove them. You will need to do this over a sink or bathtub, so you can dispose of the lice and nits in case they are still alive.
You can also wash their hair with an over-the-counter shampoo that contains permethrin. The hair dryer is also helpful. You want to blow dry their hair on high heat for five minutes, ensuring it is completely dry. This will kill any lice or nits that are clinging to their hair. You may then want to use lice spray on their hair. These sprays are available at any local drug store and contain insecticides that can kill the lice or nits.
You will then want to wash all the bedding and clothing your child has used since they have become infested. You will want to wash it in hot water, and you may want to use a disinfectant for your washing machine.
You will also want to vacuum your child’s room thoroughly. This will remove any lice or nits that are on the furniture or on the floor.
Conclusion
There are several ways to avoid getting head lice. These include avoiding close contact with someone with lice, not sharing personal items, and keeping your hair clean and free of debris. Check your hair and scalp for signs of infestation if you suspect you have head lice.
