Published July 15, 2019
Head Lice FAQ
Ready or not it is that time of year again: Back to School! It's hard to believe that our summer is already coming to a quick end. But with back to school approaching that also means, as parents, we start worrying about the ever dreaded head lice! Although there isn't an actual head lice "season", back to school brings all of our kiddos back together in close quarters which makes for the perfect environment for these creepy little critters! Here is a list of a few common misconceptions about head lice and some ways to prevent these little boogers from spreading:
1. Head lice cannot fly or jump! (Thank goodness!) Head lice can only be spread from direct head to head contact.
2. Head lice can only stay alive by feeding on blood. They will die within 1 to 2 days after being off of their host because they no longer have a food source.
3. At first glance, head lice eggs (or nits) might be mistaken for dandruff. But they are firmly attached to the hair shaft with a waterproof glue-like substance and won’t brush off. (Sticky little boogers!!!!)
4. They prefer a dark, warm environment and are often discovered behind the ears, under a ponytail and at the nape of the neck. They can also be found on eyebrows and eyelashes.
5. And the most important thing to keep in mind is ANYONE can get head lice. They know no socioeconomic or ethnic boundaries and are equal opportunity infesters!
BONUS INFO: When it comes to cleaning your house after a lice outbreak, remember that lice only live 24 to 48 hours off of the scalp. So if your child hasn’t touched a household item recently, you don’t need to worry about it. Sheets, pillows, and other items that have close head contact should be washed in water that is hotter than 130 degrees. If the item is something you can’t wash, cover it or put it in a plastic bag for 48 hours.
Now, what can you do to help prevent these critters from setting up shop on yourself or kiddos?
• Do frequent and thorough head checks.
• Sharing may be caring but teach our kids that certain items shouldn't be shared, ie: hats, coats, brushes, pillows ect.
• Worried you may have been around someone with lice? Lice die when exposed to temperatures greater than 130°F for 5 or more minutes. Prevent a lice outbreak by tossing your clothing, hat, jacket, scarf, gloves, and any other items into the washer. Use hot water (130° F or higher), and then dry on high heat. Soak your combs and brushes in the wash, too. Can’t wash an item? Place it in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer for 3 weeks.
• Lice are repelled by certain smells, like tea tree oil, menthol, eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, rosemary oil, lemongrass, and citronella.
So now that you are equipped with the information needed to tackle this up and coming school year, head on over and stock up on all your Head Lice preventative needs with our Fairy Tales lice prevention product line.
Post Tags:Hair Care