Head lice is a year-round problem, but tends to peak when children return to the classroom. Lice are parasites that affect millions of children every year, says the U.S.
Food and Drug Adminstration, particularly because of their close contact to others in school and daycare settings.
Although lice are not known to spread disease, they attach to hair to feed on blood. This can cause itchy, irritated areas on the head that become uncomfortable. The best defense against lice is not getting them at all. These tips can help reduce the risk for lice infestation.
· Discourage head-to-head contact. Children should be advised to avoid touching heads during play and other activities at school, home and elsewhere. If heads and hair come in contact with someone who actively has lice, the bugs are more readily spread to another person.
· Avoid sharing. Sharing is taught as good behavior, but there are some things children should not share with others. These include hats and other head coverings, over-the-head headsets/headphones, scarves, helmets, towels, combs/brushes, hair accessories, and sports uniforms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says combs and brushes used by someone with head lice need to be soaked in hot water (at least 130 F) for five to 10 minutes to be disinfected.
· Watch the environment. Children and adults should not lie on beds, couches, pillows, carpets, or stuffed animals that have recently been in contact with a person with head lice.
· Change hairstyles. Children with long hair should consider wearing their hair in braids, tight buns or even in ponytails to reduce the risk of head lice. Despite myths that suggest head lice are attracted to either clean or dirty hair, depending on the source, lice are attracted to a blood meal and will infest hair regardless of cleanliness.
· Experiment with sprays. Various products on the market are designed to repel head lice. Families can use their judgement on giving these items a try, many of which contain essential oils like lavender, peppermint and tea tree. All About Lice, a lice removal treatment center in Maine, indicates that hair spray is not a lice deterrent as some believe.
Head lice is problematic at any time, but cases seem to climb when children return to school.