Head lice are easily spread. Any kind of physical contact with another person or their belongings has the potential to infect you or your family with them. Luckily it's not as simple as breathing in airborne infections like flu but is still easily done. You are not going to be able to prevent your child from contact with others, in fact playing together is normal everyday behaviour and is to be encouraged, you just need to be vigilant against head lice. There are a number of simple steps you can take to minimise the chance of catching them or to lessen the impact it it happens. Head lice are usually passed on through head to head or more precisely hair to hair contact. Lice cannot fly like mosquitoes or jump like fleas, they can only crawl. However they need only around thirty seconds of close enough proximity to be able to crawl from person to person. Lice can only survive about two or three days at best away from a human host. Even this is enough time for them to crawl into hats. scarves, coats, bedding, cushions, in fact anything a head may come into contact with and infect another person. Should one person or child be infected with the lice the whole family will need to checked in case they too have them. If a head lice infestation is confirmed there are a range of treatments available to kill them. The following tips may be helpful in dealing with reinfection or to keep them at bay. - You can explain to your child NOT to share brushes, hats, hairbands, clothing, sports kit etc. Young kids are unlikely to take it on board but older ones should.
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At home do not allow the sharing of combs, brushes, towels, clothing etc
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Soak combs and brushes in very hot water (above 170 degrees F as this kills lice) for fifteen minutes. If cheap products, discard them and buy new.
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Wash bedding and clothing recently used in hot water (170 degrees F at least) Ensure you READ WASHING INSTRUCTIONS on items so not to damage them. If not washable try to tumble dry on very hot setting to kill lice, again check laundry instructions first.
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Do a deep thorough vacuum of carpets, fabric furniture like sofas etc and wash cushion covers.
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Some fabric items may be damaged by washing at high temperatures so try sealing in air tight plastic bags for at least two weeks. This should be enough time for nits to hatch and adult lice to die which they must if they are unable to feed.
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If you get a school letter regarding a head lice outbreak inspect your children's hair and eyebrows carefully and methodically under a good light about every three days. If you find lice buy a good over the counter lice shampoo and nit comb. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to the letter and don't skimp or skip treatment.
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If you use lice shampoos don't panic and start washing hair every day or you will wash out the shampoo before it has chance to do its job killing the lice.
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Head lice are itchy and head scratching is usually the first sign of an infestation. Be vigilant for spots, scabs or raw skin from fingernails raking the scalp and treat as usual with antiseptics
Head lice are a nuisance but not dangerous. If you heed this basic simple advice you should be fine. For more helpful information and tips on dealing with and beating head lice please pay a visit to my specialist head lice webpage below.
James Lamb is a UK writer specialising in health subjects. For full information on dealing with and eradicating head lice please visit my head lice webpage here. | |
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