If you’ve ever gotten the dreaded “head lice” notice from your child’s school, you know how the panic can set in. Lice are a common problem among school-aged children, and they can spread quickly in group settings.

Take a deep breath! While they may be unsettling and cause itching, they’re not dangerous. They’re also not a reflection of cleanliness or your parenting. You can tackle lice effectively and avoid future outbreaks with these simple strategies.

How Head Lice Spread

Head lice are tiny insects that live close to the scalp and feed on small amounts of blood. They can’t jump or fly and instead move by crawling. This is why they primarily spread through direct head-to-head or contact. Children, who tend to sit or play close together, hug, and share items, are more likely to get them.

Common ways lice spread include:

  • Hugging or touching heads together
  • Sharing hats, scarves, hairbrushes, or combs
  • Playing contact sports like wrestling or sharing helmets
  • Using the same pillows or sleeping bags at sleepovers
Preventing Head Lice WFMC

Prevention Tips

While you can’t guarantee your child will never get lice, there are habits that can help reduce the risk. Teach your child to not share hats, hairbrushes, or hair ties with friends. Keeping long hair tied back in a braid or bun can also make it harder for lice to find a way in.

You might also consider explaining to your child what lice are in a calm and matter-of-fact way. Kids who are old enough to understand the basics may be more willing to follow prevention tips without fear or embarrassment.

Regular checks, especially during the school year, can also help find lice early. Check near the scalp, behind the ears, and at the nape of your child’s neck for lice or nits (tiny white or yellowish eggs).

At-Home Treatment

If you find lice or nits, don’t panic! With some consistent effort, you can get rid of them. Over-the-counter (OTC) lice treatment in the form of shampoo can be effective for killing adult lice, while nits will need to be combed out using a fine-toothed nit comb. You will likely need to comb every 2-3 days for at least two weeks.

Wash and dry bedding, clothing, and hats in hot water and dry on high heat. To avoid spreading lice at home, you should do this for all family members. In addition to laundry, soak shared combs, brushes, and hair accessories in hot water for 10 minutes.

Some parents would rather take the more drastic route of cutting their child’s hair short. If your child already has shorter hair or is down with a change, this option can make getting rid of lice a little easier.

When to Call Your Provider

If lice persist after multiple treatments (i.e., you still see live lice after using lice shampoo), or if your child’s scalp becomes irritated or infected from scratching, contact your child’s pediatrician. They can recommend prescription-strength treatments or check to make sure what you’re seeing is truly lice and not something else.

Lice infestations can feel overwhelming at first but know that they are a common and solvable problem. With the right approach and consistency, your child can be lice-free in just a couple of weeks.

This article is meant for informational purposes only. If you have questions or would like further information, make an appointment with your primary care provider.

This blog post was first published on WFMCHealth.org.