Parents Corner- Dealing With Head Lice

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Believe us when we tell you that you are not alone when it comes to getting head lice. Millions of children and their families get lice each year. Children are in close enough contact to their friends that lice can be transmitted easily.

Head lice are found worldwide. In the United States, head lice infestations are most common among pre-school children who are attending daycare programs, elementary aged children, and household members of the infested child/children.

It is estimated that six to twelve million head lice infestations occur each year in the United States among children ranging from 3 to 11 years of age.

It is also not uncommon for close family members, teachers, and other staff to find that they have a lice infestation. This is due to their being in close contact with the children.

Because adult and nymph lice are very small, move quickly, and avoid light, they may be difficult to find. Use of a fine-toothed louse comb may facilitate identification of live lice.

If crawling lice are not seen, finding nits attached firmly within ¼ inch of the base of hair shafts suggests, but does not confirm, the person is infested. Nits frequently are seen on hair behind the ears and near the back of the neck. Nits that are attached more than ¼ inch from the base of the hair shaft are almost always non-viable (hatched or dead). Head lice and nits can be visible with the naked eye, although use of a magnifying lens may be necessary to find crawling lice or to identify a developing nymph inside a viable nit. Nits are often confused with other particles found in hair such as dandruff, hair spray droplets, and dirt particles.

If no nymphs or adults are seen, and the only nits found are more than ¼ inch from the scalp, then the infestation is probably old and no longer active — and does not need to be treated.

When you aren't certain of your finding, we can help. Contact Nitty Gritty Hair Care and schedule a head screening

Many end up struggling with head lice for weeks, months, or even years. Why are head lice so difficult to get out of your life? Here are some of the most common reasons your head lice won’t go away.

1. Over-the-counter treatments don’t work

2. Nitpicking is subject to human error.

3. Failing to get every member of the household checked.

4. Home lice remedies are unproven at best, 

dangerous at worst. 

5. Failing to tell your friends and family.

The Good News is, Nitty Gritty Hair Care Is here to help.

Head lice are a school ritual most parents would be happy to avoid. Like other conditions, lice are spread person-to-person, but in this case, it’s more about head-to-head contact. Lice can’t jump or fly, but when children’s heads touch one another, which can occur in schools as kids gather in and out of the classroom, lice can easily spread. Teach children to avoid head-to-head contact and share clothes that have contact with hair. Also, shorter hair or hair tied back can reduce the risk of lice spreading. Handwashing won’t help you here, as lice are not germs and have nothing to do with hygiene.

The topic of head lice is usually not the most popular one amongst parents, though it is a necessary one. Head lice spread most easily between friends, family, schoolmates, and team members. Here are a few tips on how to talk to other parents about head lice:

Decide to just do it. We know that talking to other parents about head lice is not on the top of anyone’s list of conversation starters. Now, talking about head lice doesn’t have to just be when there is an outbreak. In fact, we recommend talking about head lice with other parents in your community before any outbreaks occur, if possible. That way, everyone is more knowledgeable and hopefully comforted that they are not alone or an anomaly when someone in their family comes home with head lice.
Learn the facts. When bringing up the topic of head lice to other parents, have some facts to bring to the table. Many people are scared of head lice without knowing anything about how the creatures actually behave. Head lice are harmless and infestations very treatable, and every parent should know this! Check out some of our recent blogs for more information you can bring to the discussion.
Discuss a plan. Don’t just talk about how head lice are spread or ways to prevent head lice, but discuss a plan for what can be done in the case of a head lice infestation. In addition to knowing about effective head lice treatment, it is a good idea to discuss a plan for telling each other when head lice have been discovered. That way, no one is completely caught off-guard. Also, take into consideration your school’s lice policy, making sure everyone is on board. Additionally, we are your local head lice experts at Nitty Gritty Hair Care, so don’t hesitate to contact us with questions or to set up a consultation appointment.