Head Lice Prevention Tips
Here are some things you can do to help prevent your child from getting head lice:
- Encourage your kids to avoid sharing things that have been on or near another child's head, including hairbrushes, combs, hats, scarves, towels, helmets, pillows, sleeping bags, etc.
- Teach your kids to hang up their coat and hat on an individual hook, or some other separate area, when they get to school, instead of just throwing them in a pile with other classmates' clothing.
- Regularly clean things that your child's head has direct contact with, such as car seats, pillows, head phones, etc., if you are sharing these items with other children.
- Review some head lice pictures to help you understand what you are looking for in your child's hair, including live lice and nits (lice eggs).
- Check your child for nits and live head lice at least once a week, keeping in mind that although you may find head lice anywhere, they are often found at the back of your child's head, near his neck and behind his ears.
- Recognize the symptoms of head lice, which includes an itchy scalp and small red bumps or sores on the back of your child's neck and scalp. Don't panic, though, if your child must be treated for head lice.
If your child does get head lice call the Lice Emergency Hotline at 877-237-LICE for advice and treatment information.