Picture this: It was 6:30 a.m. on Mother\u2019s Day, when my dear daughter climbed into bed with me to read a book. I decided to give up on the dream of sleeping in and give into the joy of her love! Then, as I snuggled in with a nuzzle of the top of her sweet head, I found \u2013 argh \u2013 lice nits! What a way to start the day, any day, let alone Mother\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n
So I did what most mothers would do \u2013 jumped up and went into panic\/action mode. I spent my Mother\u2019s Day washing, picking nits, combing, doing laundry, vacuuming, and cleaning.<\/p>\n
The tiny grey bugs called head lice lay even tinier white eggs (nits) on hair shafts, causing distress way out of proportion to their size! Many a panicked parent calls their pediatrician or heads to their office asking for help with this common problem (there are millions of lice infestations each year in the United States). But let\u2019s see if we can save you from panic or a trip to the doctor.<\/p>\n
The most important myth to be debunked: lice don\u2019t spread disease or cause illness. They\u2019re also not a sign of uncleanliness!<\/p>\n
Some bug facts:<\/p>\n
It\u2019s uncommon to get lice from sharing sports gear, and a child should never be asked to not wear protective head gear (like batting helmets) for fear of getting lice.<\/p>\n
I bet you\u2019re scratching\u00a0your head now!<\/p>\n
If your child has an itchy scalp, check their scalp carefully. Here\u2019s what to look for:<\/p>\n
The key here is to very carefully comb out the nits from tiny sections of hair after using an over-the-counter (OTC) medicated shampoo or cream.<\/p>\n
I sat my daughter on a high stool under a bright light and we talked while I combed and combed. Surprisingly, this became a nice time to bond and connect! After the nit combing<\/a>, it helps to use a hairdryer to thoroughly dry each section of hair.<\/p>\n In some communities, lice are resistant to OTC medicines and you may need to call for a prescription treatment.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t go overboard with cleaning! Remember lice can only live 24 hours off the scalp, and nits are unlikely to hatch at room temperatures. So follow a few tips for cleaning, but don\u2019t exhaust yourself:<\/p>\n\n
After lice treatment, your child should return to school.<\/h3>\n