How to avoid getting head lice

Posted on July 22, 2013 by john in Daily health tips for kids

You really itchy head. Could it be lice?

If so, you’re not alone. Every year, between 6 and 12 million people worldwide are infected with head lice. Most of those millions of people are children. Probably, any child who goes to school has heard of lice. They can spread easily in schools so if a child is infected, maybe the rest of the class also infected. What can you do? Let’s find out.
What are head lice?

Lice are very, very small. In fact, they are so tiny you can barely see! A louse is brown and gray and about the size of a sesame seed.

Lice are parasites, meaning they live off other living beings. They need to be close to the skin to survive - and the warmth of your skin is perfect. Lice eat tiny amounts of blood (much less than than a mosquito) and use their sticky little feet to hold the hair.

When lice start living in hair, they also begin to lice eggs or nits. Lice can survive up to 30 days in a person’s head and lay lice eggs a day. Lice attach their nits to the hair near the scalp. If you see a small bubble oval, white or clear, in a hair, probably one nit.

Although not harmful, lice can irritate the skin and make it itchy (especially at night). Too much scratching can cause infections of the scalp.
Lice want everyone

As lice are parasites, put the house on the head of anyone, whether the person is clean or dirty, in second or fifth grade or white or black. Who says that people who get lice are dirty does not know that lice love everyone and that includes the cleanest kid in the class! Lice spread in classrooms and schools because children are very close to each other when they play and often share more things than adults.

Lice can not jump or fly. They are spread when people’s heads are in contact or sharing hats, clothing, combs, brushes, headbands, pins and bedding (such as sheets, blankets, pillows and sleeping bags). If lice are stuck on any of these things and that thing comes in contact with the head of another person, that person can also become infected.

Say goodbye to lice

If you head itches, tell an adult as soon as possible. Especially if you know that other kids in your class or school have had lice. Do not wait! The more time the lice to lay nits, the more you itch!

Normally, parents or school nurses can identify head lice just find nits. Some parents take their children to the doctor for it to check for lice.

If a child has lice, an adult will need to buy a shampoo, special medicated cream or lotion to kill the lice. An adult will need to apply the medicine and follow instructions. Part of the treatment is to comb your hair with a fine tooth comb to remove nits. The shampoo, cream or lotion usually kills the lice immediately. The itching should go away in a few days but it may be necessary to repeat the treatment after 7 to 10 days to kill any lice that may have hatched since the first treatment.

Head lice eggs picture

Do not use a hair dryer after washing with shampoo, lotion or cream because they may contain flammable ingredients. You do not want to be your hair on fire.

Although lice can only live 1 or 2 days at the head of a person, it would be good for an adult wash all bedding, hats, clothes and stuffed animals in hot water. You can also put them in airtight bags for 10 days. It also kills lice eggs.

Vacuuming carpets, upholstery and car seats help remove any lice that fell before treatment. Should be soaked in hot combs, brushes and hair accessories, wash with medicated shampoo or throw them away. Sometimes it is hard to get rid of lice, so if that’s the case, have your parent talk to your doctor. They may decide to use stronger drugs and other treatments.
Life without lice

No, of course that lice are not nice but there are things you can do to keep them away. To prevent lice:

If your friend has lice, do not let it spread to you. Avoid putting your heads or share things that may contain lice, such as hats or combs.
Do not wear the hats of other children.
Never share a comb, brush, barrettes or other hair accessories. Use your own, and do not lend them to anyone.
Always use your own sleeping bag and pillow when sleeping away from home.

Tags: head lice