Everything You Don't Want To Know About Head Lice.
Every parent dreads the day when their darling elementary student comes home with that head lice note from the school nurse.
Though head lice leaves a strong connotation of poor hygiene, the truth is: If your child shares space at school they are only a few feet away from contacting lice. It has nothing to do with your home environment, but everything to do with the other kids at school. Which is no reflection on their home environment...and so it goes.
And, though lice are grossly unpleasant, they are no cause for alarm.
"Lice don't cause any serious medical diseases, and they have nothing to do with the cleanliness of your home or your child," states Dr Robert Steele, pediatrician at St. John's Children's Hospital in Missouri.
Head Lice spreads quickly through a classroom either through direct contact or the sharing of personal items such as hats, combs, brushes. Bottom line if children touch, the lice hitch a ride because they don't fly, jump or hop. They just move quickly.
These tiny insects start from eggs that have been laid on the scalp of a person. Though hard to see, if you look closely with the aid of a magnifying glass, you will discover they look like tiny rain drops. They are brownish white in color and are approximately the size of one poppy seed. These babies will stick to individual hairs and look like small white dots without visual assistance.
The adults are larger, about the size of a sea same seed, have six legs and like to roam around on the scalp itself.
How can you tell if your child has head lice before the school nurse?
If your child is scratching his or her scalp more than usual, lice may be moving in. Often there are no symptoms at all so a regular visual check will be the best indication. It is most important during the first few weeks of school.
Looking for head lice takes a little bit of stealth. Since they are so small, and often over looked, you will need to check while the hair is still damp after a shower or bath. Separate hair into thin sections and then methodically check each section from root to tip by running a lice comb through the hair slowly. Check the teeth after each run through.
If you find lice, don't hide the fact due to embarrassment, this is how they spread so quickly. Remember it is not a reflection on your personal or home hygiene! Not only should you alert your children's friends parents, you should contact the school, day care or any other social environment your child enjoys on a regular basis. Do not send your child to school even with one egg - that's all it takes to get a lice fire started. It not always what you see that is dangerous.
Remember, your child picked head lice up from some where. By informing every one you can, an unnoticed source may be found.
There are many chemical over the counter products to choose from when treating lice, however chemicals could create scalp reactions or general allergic complications. There are natural treatments for the control of head lice available that may be a better option for your child. For more information on these organic treatments visit http://www.headlicecontrol.com
Sue Krippner is an Educator, Writer and Professional Home Organizer. Most importantly, a mother of 4, and grandmother of 8. She understands when it comes to a child's health, no subject is untouchable. For an organic remedy to head lice visit http://controlheadlice.com
Though head lice leaves a strong connotation of poor hygiene, the truth is: If your child shares space at school they are only a few feet away from contacting lice. It has nothing to do with your home environment, but everything to do with the other kids at school. Which is no reflection on their home environment...and so it goes.
And, though lice are grossly unpleasant, they are no cause for alarm.
"Lice don't cause any serious medical diseases, and they have nothing to do with the cleanliness of your home or your child," states Dr Robert Steele, pediatrician at St. John's Children's Hospital in Missouri.
Head Lice spreads quickly through a classroom either through direct contact or the sharing of personal items such as hats, combs, brushes. Bottom line if children touch, the lice hitch a ride because they don't fly, jump or hop. They just move quickly.
These tiny insects start from eggs that have been laid on the scalp of a person. Though hard to see, if you look closely with the aid of a magnifying glass, you will discover they look like tiny rain drops. They are brownish white in color and are approximately the size of one poppy seed. These babies will stick to individual hairs and look like small white dots without visual assistance.
The adults are larger, about the size of a sea same seed, have six legs and like to roam around on the scalp itself.
How can you tell if your child has head lice before the school nurse?
If your child is scratching his or her scalp more than usual, lice may be moving in. Often there are no symptoms at all so a regular visual check will be the best indication. It is most important during the first few weeks of school.
Looking for head lice takes a little bit of stealth. Since they are so small, and often over looked, you will need to check while the hair is still damp after a shower or bath. Separate hair into thin sections and then methodically check each section from root to tip by running a lice comb through the hair slowly. Check the teeth after each run through.
If you find lice, don't hide the fact due to embarrassment, this is how they spread so quickly. Remember it is not a reflection on your personal or home hygiene! Not only should you alert your children's friends parents, you should contact the school, day care or any other social environment your child enjoys on a regular basis. Do not send your child to school even with one egg - that's all it takes to get a lice fire started. It not always what you see that is dangerous.
Remember, your child picked head lice up from some where. By informing every one you can, an unnoticed source may be found.
There are many chemical over the counter products to choose from when treating lice, however chemicals could create scalp reactions or general allergic complications. There are natural treatments for the control of head lice available that may be a better option for your child. For more information on these organic treatments visit http://www.headlicecontrol.com
Sue Krippner is an Educator, Writer and Professional Home Organizer. Most importantly, a mother of 4, and grandmother of 8. She understands when it comes to a child's health, no subject is untouchable. For an organic remedy to head lice visit http://controlheadlice.com
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