Let's de-bug...oops...debunk the head lice myth right now - lice is not because of bad hygiene. It's not because your house is unclean. Lice happens. And when it happens in your house - you want to treat it - STAT!
Little girls are four times more frequently infested than boys. I will be the first to (reluctantly) raise my hand - I, Activity Mummy, have had two daughters who have had head lice. I was horrified when the school called me on lice check day. Horrified. Until, I saw the other moms driving in, head lowered in shame, to pick up they lice-ridden kids. Lice happens...to anyone.
"Head lice are wingless insects spending their entire life on human scalp and feeding exclusively on human blood" - wikipedia (head louse)
Eggs (or nits) are white and tear drop shaped found near the scalp (if you can blow it away its dandruff if it sticks it could be a nit). Found mainly behind ears and at the back of the neck because lice don't like light.
How To Treat Head Lice
Shave
Shave the hair of an infested head. Easy and quick - a good choice for boys...however for girls with long hair (like mine) not so much of a choice.
Comb and pick
Tedious, long and nit-picking (excuse the pun) combing and picking is absolutely required. But not just any comb - you want a fine metal nit picking comb - available behind the counter at the drugstore. Trust me on this.
Shampoos
There are many lice shampoos on the market but be a smart consumer parent and do your research on choosing between a natural lice shampoo or an insecticide shampoo (there is very strong data both ways) Personally, I chose to add a few drops of tea tree oil in shampoo which is a common all-natural lice treatment with no side effects.
Olive oil - maybe
Someone told me olive oil suffocates live lice...I don't know if this is true but what harm could oil do? I was told to pour a cup of olive oil on my daughters' long hair, put a shower cap on oiled hair and let it sit overnight (my kids could only stand an hour but we tried).
Laundry
Wash and heat dry anything the infested hair has come into contact with including; sheets, pillows, stuffed animals, blankets, jackets, hats, etc...
Call in a lice specialist. There are people who pick nits as a job - really. Professional and confidential they come to you.
Preventative
Tell your kids to not share hats, hairbands, hoodies or anything touching hair with friends.
Do a lice check in your house once a month.
Use tea tree shampoo.
Head lice happens. And it is one of the lesser parenting experiences. You feel so alone and ashamed when it happens in your house. I hope this post might help debunk the myth and point parents in the right direction of debugging.
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