Just the thought of our children — or us — getting head lice makes us itchy. We are so grateful to present a series of helpful posts sponsored by NitPixies, Bay Area’s full-service lice removal salon, about what to do about the little buggers.
Summer camps and long days at the pool will soon be long lost memories, and with the change of seasons comes the angst of the new school year along with the possibility of your child getting head lice.
Here are six tips to help ward off the little pests and have a lice free year:
- Look for them. Check your child’s head frequently the first few days of school. After the many sleepovers and movies this summer, you want to make sure your children are lice-free and not bringing them to school. Lice like to hang out behind the ears or at the base of the neck on girls and the crown of the head on boys, so take a fine-toothed comb and begin your hunt there.
- Tie up long hair. Lice are big fans of clean hair, so if your child has recently washed it, make sure it is tied up in braids or a pony tail so crawling from head to head becomes difficult for them.
- Use some essential oil. Lice do not like sprays such as lavender, mint and tea tree. Just dab a little behind the ears or at the base of the neck and they will leave you alone. Limit shampooing with Tea Tree shampoos. (once a week at most as this dry’s out the scalp and causes yellowish head sores if overused)
- Avoid sharing. Make sure your little ones do not share hats, coats, sports uniforms (even the practice vests) during school or after school activities as this is the perfect way for them to crawl and lay eggs on the next child’s head.
- Keep stuffies at home. If you have little ones, try to avoid bringing stuffed animals or blankets to day care. The lice will somehow find their way on to them and on to your child’s head.
- Ask for head checks. Reach out to your school administration or Parents Club and urge them to have regular head checks of the entire school after every vacation and long weekend. It makes a huge difference.
And finally, remember that having lice is not a sign of being dirty; it happens to the nicest and cleanest of people. Be kind and open to your friends if you discover your child has it and, in turn, don’t blame or be mean to those who bring you the same news. Lice do not discriminate!
If lice does happen, we are here for you at Nitpixies.
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This post was sponsored by NitPixies in Montclair. For more information or help with lice in your home or school, call NitPixies at 510-530-HAIR.
[photo of nit pixies by meri maceacheron for 510families]
