Seeing your child scratching their head might make you start to wonder if they have lice. Or, you might have received that dreaded letter from school that lets you know your child was exposed to a case. Either way, it's always a good idea to not panic and to check your child's hair regularly for lice using these simple steps.
Protect Your Hair
If you have long hair, then the last thing you want is to have your strands fall on your child's head during the inspection and transfer lice to you. If possible, pull your hair back to keep it away from your child's head. You might also choose to wear a shower cap to further prevent spreading lice to your head or other family members.
Choose the Right Setting
Young children might find it hard to keep still long enough for you to check their head thoroughly. You might opt to sit your child down in front of the TV or tablet. Having them watch a favorite show can give you more time to check.
Find a Bright Light
Lice go through a life cycle that starts with eggs and ends with mature adults. During the early stages of the life cycle, lice might be hard to see. Using a bright light can help to highlight small white spots on the strands of your child's hair that could be nits, or lice eggs. Take a moment to get familiar with what lice look like as they mature. However, seeing any moving insects on your child's hair is often a clue that they are lice.
Move Hair With a Fine-Tooth Comb
Using your fingers to move your child's hair might cause you to accidentally get nits under your nails. Instead, it's best to work with a comb that you can clean. A fine-tooth comb, such as what you can find in lice removal kits, is best for picking up tiny eggs. To do a thorough check, try to work in small sections at a time. Lice often hang out on the warmest parts of the head. You can start looking for them at the nape of the neck and around the ears. Then, slowly work your way through the rest of the strands.
Create a Lice Removal Plan
Finding even a single louse means that your child needs treatment. Fortunately, you have several options for professional lice removal that help you quickly end the problem. Today, many lice are resistant to chemical treatments, and it's natural to want to avoid having your child exposed to pesticides. Choosing heat removal for lice and other gentle solutions can clear your child's hair and allow you to return to normal activities quickly.
Once your child has lice, you'll find it's easier to identify new infestations. You'll also find that practicing good lice prevention can stop the issue from getting out of hand. Make sure to check your child's hair regularly for signs of lice activity. If your child attends school or daycare in an area with frequent lice outbreaks, then you can also use prevention products to keep their hair pest-free.
