With school well on its way, the dreaded head lice are on the minds of many parents. Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp and are spread by close contact with others. Lice is known to spread quickly from person to person. Close contact and the quickness at which it spreads are reasons why when one student seems to get lice…they all seem to get lice.
Lice and their eggs, or nits, latch onto strands of hair, sometimes even eyebrows and eyelashes. Nits are tiny but still visible and often look like flakes of dandruff. Before you spot lice on your child’s head you may notice them itching their scalp or see small red bumps on their scalp, neck or shoulders. When checking your child for lice, be sure to look under a bright light while wearing disposable gloves. Part the hair down to the scalp in several small sections, searching throughout the entire head this way.
If you’ve found lice or nits in your child’s hair, treat immediately. Be sure to notify their teacher or director if they are in school. Explain to your child that lice is nothing to be ashamed or afraid of. In most cases, when treated quickly and preventative measures are taken, the lice and nits go away. Although the itching may be uncomfortable, lice does not lead to any serious medical problems.