Essential Tips for Head Lice Prevention

Head lice is a growing problem in many elementary schools these days. Head lice prevention is important. Just because your family is clean and tidy doesn't mean your kids are never going to get them. Head lice is contracted by contact with an infested person, who usually is unaware that he/she has head lice. In order to cut the risks, there are some important tips and information you need.

The best way to keep head lice out of your home is to keep your children from getting it in the first place. Head lice may spread when your children are using other kids' clothing, like scarves and hats. It is also spread when combs or brushes are shared. One of the best ways to prevent a head lice problem is to educate your kids on the importance of not sharing these items with other kids at school.

There are going to be times when exposure to the critters is unavoidable. Children play toegher closely, and most head lice is spread directly from head to head. It is important that you take an active role in preventing head lice. Once you notice your kids scratching their heads, the problem may have already spread to others in your home.

You should check your child's head at least once a week - more often if your school has a known problem. When your child has finished bathing, use a comb to go through his/her hair before it dries. Head lice are relatively easy to see in wet hair, both the bugs themselves and their eggs. It is a good idea, even if you don't have a problem, to buy a good quality metal head lice comb. You can use this comb to look over kids' heads, parting the strands of hair more easily than with a brush or regular comb.

Luckily, head lice can't survive for long periods of time away from their only food source (a human head). Their eggs don't attach to furniture or clothing. So focus prevention efforts on people's heads. Normal vaccuuming and cleaning of furniture is all you need do for head lice prevention, so far as the home environment is conce
ed. (If your child does get head lice, wash bedding and recently-wo
clothes in hot soapy water and dry in a hot dryer.)

Even with all these precautions, there's still a chance your child could get head lice. It's important not to panic. If caught early enough, head lice can be taken care of rather quickly. A good lice comb is all that's strictly necessary, and there are non-toxic products which can make the process easier. While there are many different medications available, and plenty of home remedies, some of these "solutions" can be harmful to your health.

It's important to understand that head lice spread quickly and invisibly. If one child has lice, chances are that their siblings and even parents may have it as well. Treating everyone at the same time will prevent family members' continually re-infesting one another.

Don't grab the first thing you see on the shelf at the drugstore to treat head lice. Some brands contain chemicals that, while they kill the bugs, may also be harmful to humans. You should never use these on a child's head. If you decide to use powerful checmicals on your own head, be sure to follow the directions carefully and read the warnings on the label first.