Steps to Preventing Head Lice

12 Sep Steps to Preventing Head Lice

It is that time of year again—time for a new school year to begin and here at Continuum Pediatrics, we know that it also means it is the beginning of head lice season. Unfortunately, head lice outbreaks are extremely common in schools, especially near the beginning of the year. While this widespread problem is one that has been around for decades, it is still something that is sometimes unavoidable. While there is still no way to put an end to head lice completely, there are a few steps that parents can take to help protect their kids from headlice and prevent these pesky insects from infiltrating their child’s hair.

1. Check Your Child’s Hair Regularly- The more often you check your child’s hair for head lice, the better. In fact, one of the best ways to prevent a full-on infestation is to catch any stray lice in your child’s hair as soon as possible. This is important because head lice replicate really fast. After a female has laid her eggs, it takes just 7 days to hatch and then only another 6-10 days before those lice are ready to lay their own eggs. This is how major infestations happen. Check your child’s head every couple of days to spot and treat lice before they become a much bigger problem.
2. Invest in a Nit Comb- While finding lice is an essential step in prevention, it isn’t as easy of a process as it sounds. A nit comb can help you spot lice eggs and newborn lice that are translucent and stay close to the scalp. Trust us, it is a tool you are going to want to have.
3. Never Share Brushes or Hats- This is an important rule not only for you and your kids but for your kids to remember with their friends as well. Kids should never share brushes or combs with their friends and never share hats. This is the quickest and easiest way for lice to spread.
4. Be On the Lookout For Itching- If your child is itching their head or scalp—check for lice. Sometimes parents misinterpret the signs of lice (itching scalp and white flakes) for dandruff. If your child is scratching, use your nit comb to check them for lice immediately.

The new school year is here, which means there is no better time to be on the lookout for head lice. If you have more questions about spotting, preventing or treating head lice, contact us today at Continuum Pediatrics. To schedule an appointment give us a call at 817-617-8600.