What To Do When Your Family Gets Head Lice

Learning that your child has head lice can be devastating for you. Repeated applications of a harsh lice treatment can be even more devastating to your child. It is important to know that anyone can get lice when they come into close contact with someone else that has them. This is why school children who work closely together with their heads together often are the first in the family to get them and why the rest of their family members may get them as well. These are the steps to follow if you suspect your child or other family member may have come into contact with head lice.

• Don’t panic! Head lice have never been shown to carry any disease. Primarily, the only symptom they cause is itching. Some parents go to extremes and cut their children’s hair very short in an attempt to get rid of the lice. Not only is this unnecessary, but it doesn’t take long hair for lice to exist.
• The primary symptom is itching. Even though a child in your child’s classroom may have been diagnosed with head lice, there is no guarantee that any other children have gotten them. Even if there has been no itching, you should examine your child if you learn they may have been in contact with someone who has them.
• Purchase a nit comb from Lice Troopers. While the bugs themselves can be difficult to see, the females lay eggs (nits) that stick to the hair shaft. The nit comb is made to pull the nits loose so that they are easier to see.
• If your child has lice, check the hair of every other family member to see if they have spread. Launder all of their bed clothes and clothing that they have worn in the last 48 hours in hot water. Follow these steps for every member of the family for which lice have been detected.
• There are three options for lice treatment: Over-the-counter, prescription, and natural. A prescription strength lice treatment is not recommended. All-natural lice treatment provides the best results without the use of harsh chemicals that are in traditional treatments.
• Use the nit comb to remove all the eggs from the hair.
• Wash all items that are worn in or near the hair including hair ties, scarves or caps clothing that may come into contact with the hair such as coats and gloves.
• Throw brushes and other hair tools in the garbage. These items must be replaced with new ones.

Using a lice treatment to eliminate the lice is only part of the process for getting rid of head lice. Taking all of the steps to get lice off of hair styling tools and linens will prevent re-infection and the spread of the bugs to other members of the family. Sometimes, a professional lice treatment is the best, most effective method for getting rid of lice without the hassle.

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