What's the deal with children and LICE?

A few weeks ago I was visiting my parents for the weekend and my 4 year old niece stopped by to visit.  I noticed she was scratching a few times at her head, but I really just didn’t give it to much thought, until she sat on my lap.  I believe we had an infestation and since I was the finder that made me the picker Kind of like diaper duty!  I never picked so many nits out at one time! This was not the first time I’ve had the pleasure to do this, she’s had them twice before and I was the lucky winner.  So needless to say I am the de-louser in the family, I firmly believe vigilant inspection and removal of the nits with a flea comb or your finger nails is the best way along with over the counter lice shampoo to rid of the parasite.  Follow up shampoo as directed and daily inspection/removal of the nits.  Bedding must be washed in hot water.  Stuffed animals run through the dryer on hot for 20 minutes or placed in trash bags tightly sealed for 7 days. The floors and furniture need vacuuming daily.

Lice are parasites that thrive off our human blood.  The female lays her eggs (nits) on the shaft of the hair closest to the scalp.  The nit is on the hair shaft with glue like substance which makes removal difficult.  They are commonly found on the scalp near the ears, back of the neck, and crown. Lice are common among 3-11year olds and spread by contact like sharing of hats/clothing/hair ties. Your child may be screened at pre-school or school periodically since this is a place where children come into close contact with each other. Stay calm with your child when they come home with lice from school, these things happen and it’s not due to poor hygiene.  It’s a good teachable moment for older children and treatment is easy if you follow the directions.

The picture below shows nits on the hair shafts. Even more visible when the hair is wet.  Remember dandruff comes off easilyand  nits are sticky and hard to remove.