Head lice.......?

Question

Head lice is going around my daughter's class room - 4 cases already - what can I do to prevent it - should I buy that shampoo now (I have heard it is hard on their scalps.)??? What are first signs..... Thanks :)

Answer 1

I work for a health Department and we get these questions a lot. First, go to your local pet store and buy a flea comb, a metal fine tooth comb. These are much stronger than the little ones in the kits and if its going around, you may need them more than once. Take your children and section heir hair out and comb through their hair using this comb, examining it after ever section for any signs of the lice. Lice are grey or brownish and tiny. The eggs they lay are often glued to the shafts of the hair and they are called nits and are the easiest to remove. The lice can be slowed to drowned by using plain olive oil or a commercial lice remover. Olive oil is not hazardous although it could be slippery, use with care. Shampoo out with regular shampoo. When the hair is dry enough, comb through again, to make sure there are none left. All stuffed animals, carpets bedding etc in the house should be cleaned properly to reduce the opportunity that lice have fallen anywhere, vacuum the carpets thoroughly or have them steam cleaned. Don't forget hairbrushes. Good luck, but don't get discouraged, it may take several times to get rid of them completely. Lice have been and are becoming resistant to the commercial lice killers so olive oil may be your best solution. Lice are nasty creatures but not dangerous.

Answer 2

You should avoid using the lice-killing shampoos unless you have an actual infestation. They can have toxic side effects if used too much, and they can be hard on the scalp. Also- THEY OFTEN DON"T WORK! Many lice have become immune to them in the same way germs become resistant to antibiotics. I have treated a number of lice infestations in the course of my work, and there is no easy way. Prevention is best- warn your daughter about head-to-head contact, sharing brushes, hats and coats, or hair things. But it could still happen. And there might not be any symptoms until it gets pretty bad. Your best chance of catching it early is to inspect her hair every night, preferably when it's damp, with a fine-tooth comb and a magnifying glass. Concentrate on the hairline and behind the ears- their favorite spots. They are harder to spot on light-colored hair. Don't just look for movement. The eggs, or nits, will be off-white, resembling dandruff, but glued on to the hair shaft- they won't move if you shake the hair. If you see them, then get the lice treatment- but combing them out EVERY night will still be necessary, probably for weeks. Supposedly lice can't live in oily hair- can't get a grip on the hairshafts. I know people who swear by putting olive oil on their hair. I've also been told Suave coconut shampoo will prevent them, that they don't like the smell. I can't swear that's true, but I use it on my kids anyway- can't hurt, and I have to wash their hair with something.

Answer 3

Don't worry about the shampoo if your daughter doesn't have them yet. The best defense is to make sure your daughter knows not to share hairbrushes or other personal items with those who may be infected. Also, check in the classroom to see if the students all keep their coats and outerwear in individual spaces(i.e. lockers) or if they all hang on the same rack. If they hang in the same place, buy your daughter a coat bag to hang hers in, otherwise the eggs can be transferred to her coat and then to her hair. The same goes for scarves and hats. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to prevent them, and getting them doesn't mean you are a dirty person. The first signs will be raised bites along the scalpline and behind the ears, as well as an itchy head. You can also check the very roots of her hair to make sure there are no white flecks w/ dark centers. Those are the eggs and are actually glued to the hair shaft, which is why head lice can be soo hard to defeat. Good luck!

Answer 4

make sure all the students with lice are out of her class room. if your daughter's head starts itching a lot, she might have lice. i would prevent it by staying at least 5-10 feet away from the people with head lice and buy some really good shampoo. good luck!

Answer 5

I've got two primary school aged children.
Definitely search the net for images of what head lice and their eggs look like or you could be treating for nothing!
If she has them:
1. USE a Tea tree based shampoo. (one gentle enough to use regular)
2. COVER with shower cap.
3. LEAVE in for around 10minute's.
4. RINSE really well.
5. COMB with a fine NIT comb.
I comb the hair twice a day with the nit comb for about a week to make sure no eggs survive. Make sure to wash her linen and clothes, Vacuum the mattress, couches and pillows etc.

To prevent head lice, check her hair regularly.
Make sure she brushes hair well twice or at least once a day.
Have her hair tied in a pony tail (plaited better).
Remind her not to share hats etc.

Head Lice LOVE clean hair but also like dirty.
They don't care who you are how rich/poor sick or healthy as long as you have a head.

And do not forget to treat yourself, whether you think you got them or not. (and every other family member) I think they make you itch but Head lice just creep me out and I just scratch if you mention the word. The only signs are looking for Head lice and nits.
Really hopes this helps.

Answer 6

Lice hates clean hair. Make sure that she washes her hair daily.
Also, make sure she takes precautions at school and doesn't share hats, headbands, hairties, etc etc. Let her know that it is a great way to spread lice.

I wouldn't buy the shampoo because it only works if she HAS lice. Also, it is quite expensive and she may not even get it. I WOULD buy a nit comb. Every 3 or 4 days for the next week or two, go through her hair carefully (especially around the ears) and check for lice eggs. They are easy to spot in dark hair because they look like dandruff at first (when you look closer you will see they may have legs and start moving.... dandruff shouldn't crawl...lol).

Besides that there really isn't too much you CAN do, so good luck!

Answer 7

I dont know where you live. But there is a shampoo you can buy that the lice do not like I get it a my grocery store but I buy it in the organic isle. It;s made by Jason and it's the Tea Tree . I read an article on this and the lice dont like the minty smell. My duaghter go lice in Kindergarden and I have used this on her EVERY DAY and no cases since. Trust me it works. Then there is this preventative spry you can get, I got it a my local drug store, spry on her hair every mornign also hope this helps

Answer 8

If your child has long hair keep it in a pony-tail. You may send a garbage bag to school to keep hat~gloves~jacket in so head lice may not transfer from another child's stuff.
Keep checking your child's head~look for eggs~they are tiny but noticeable. Wouldn't use the shampoo unless you found the eggs or lice themselves.

Answer 9

Lice like clean hair so dont wash it too often and when you do, put some sort of styling product in it. My kids have been exposed MANY times and never got it.

PLEASE do not listen to the poster that says they hate clean hair! Lice hate "dirty hair".

Answer 10

There's nothing you can do to prevent it. Just wash all the clothing that has been at school in hot water. Every kid gets lice - it's not the end of the world.