Back to school is right around the corner. This may be the first time in school for many kids after spending much of last year on video chat or doing some form of distance learning. Chances are your young students have already shopped for school supplies and planned that perfect first-day outfit.
This is an exciting time for both children and their parents! But now, more than ever, it's time to be proactive about the health of young learners. We're already emphasizing the importance of regular hand washing and following applicable mask mandates. However, in addition to germs, we need to discuss....lice!
Did you know that approximately 6-12 million cases of head lice infestation occur in the United States each year among children ages 3-11? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the overwhelming majority of these cases come from preschool and elementary school students.
What exactly are lice?
These tiny, wingless, parasitic insects live on the human head and feed on blood from the scalp. Luckily, they are more annoying than dangerous, and having lice has nothing to do with the cleanliness of hair. In fact, the opposite is true as lice prefer a clean head of fluffy hair.
Contrary to popular belief, head lice do not jump or fly. They usually spread from direct head-to-head contact with an infested human. You cannot get lice from your pets as lice are species specific.
Without treatment, head lice will continue to multiply exponentially and cause discomfort. Excessive scratching could cause infection, so it's crucial to get rid of these unwanted visitors as quickly as possible, so that lice does not spread to the rest of the family and in the classroom.
How do I check for lice on my child?
The best way to do a lice check is to have your child sit under bright light, either sunlight or a tall lamp will work, part the hair, and inspect the scalp and hair closest to the scalp. Continue to work your way around the entire head in small sections, until all areas of the head have been checked. Another efficient way to do a head check for lice is to take a nit comb, which is also known as a lice comb, and starting at the scalp, gently pull it through the hair in one continuous motion. Then inspect it under bright light for lice and nits. Also, you can run the fingers down the hair shaft to check for nits, which feel like small grains of sand glued to the hair. Nits will not be blown or flecked away as they are glued onto the hair, so they are easy to differentiate from dandruff.
What are the best ways to prevent lice?
- Ask kids to avoid head-.to-head contact during play, hugs, and other activities
- Teach your child not to share hats, brushes, towels, hair accessories, or headphones.
How can I get rid of lice?
Not all treatments are created equal. Strolling down the hair care aisle at the drugstore gives you options, but over the counter may not be your best choice in terms of efficacy. Many parents find that OTC products are no longer effective, and scientific research has definitively shown pesticide resistance is now found in headlice around the world. So think outside the box, ditch the toxic pesticides, and try a natural plant enzyme based lice shampoo, nit spray or treatment mousse.
Our LiceLogic Clear & Free Lice Eliminator Kit gives you everything you need to remove head lice safely and naturally. It's plant-based and contains no pesticides or harsh chemicals. The natural peppermint scent is kid friendly and parent approved -- there is no need to smell like a toxic chemical plant! LiceLogic’s family size lice treatment kit contains a pesticide free lice shampoo, hair spray for nits, all purpose lice spray for the home, and a stainless steel fine-toothed nit comb to ensure that even the tiniest lice and nits are removed from the hair and scalp.
Our four piece headlice kit is family-sized because, yes, even adults can get these critters too! Each kit contains up to 16 treatments, depending on the length and thickness of the hair, and is safe for repeat use.
LiceLogic is a #1 recommended choice of pediatricians and school nurses to treat lice safely and effectively, without using harsh chemicals. All LiceLogic products are made with natural and non-toxic ingredients that are safe for daily use. LiceLogic is also lice expert approved and head lice removal salons around the country use LiceLogic to get rid of lice and nits on their clients. We also have a full line of LiceLogic Prevention products to repel lice and keep these pesky critters away - available in two refreshing scents, Rosemary-Mint and Lavender.
From our family to yours, we wish you a safe and LICE-FREE back to school season!
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