Preventing Head Lice

No matter how often they do — or don't — clean their hair or bathe. These little bugs can be a problem for children of all ages and having head lice is not a sign of poor cleanliness or hygiene as often thought.

By following these simple suggestions you can help to prevent your child from getting lice — or from becoming infested with lice.

• Tell them to try to avoid head-to-head contact at school (in gym, on the playground, or during sports) and while playing at home with other children.
• Suggest that your child does not share combs, brushes, hats, scarves, bandanas, ribbons, hair ties or bands, towels, helmets, or other personal care items with anyone else, whether they may have lice or not.
• Tell kids not to lie on bedding, pillows, and carpets that have recently been used by someone with lice.
• If your child has been with someone with lice examine their hair every 3 to 4 days. Then, treat those who are found to have lice or nits close to the scalp. 

Will They Ever Be Gone?

You have followed all the instructions and the lice still persist – this can be time consuming and a nuisance for you and everyone involved.

So it looks like there are still some nits left behind – why is this?

• your child is still being exposed to someone with lice
• the treatment you're using isn't effective

There's no doubt that they can be hard bugs to get rid of. If your child still has lice for 2 weeks after you started treatment or if your child's scalp looks infected, call your doctor.

When dealing with a child who has lice it is important not to pass any stigma onto the child. You should emphasize to your child that although having lice can be embarrassing, anyone can get them. The lice will go to any head and that the child has not done anything wrong and certainly doesn’t make them dirty. Reassure your child that as hard as it is to get rid of the annoying insects can be, they will go away and the itching will stop.

For you, the person who is looking after the child - Be patient and follow the treatments and preventative tips as directed by your doctor and you'll be well on your way to keeping your family lice-free.