Take Precautionary Actions to Prevent Head Lice

Head lice are very common, and can spread like the common cold. They do not have wings, nor can they jump, but they can crawl fast from one person to another. They are very contagious. They are as small as a sesame seed and have a brownish beige color. Louse is singular for lice, and nymphs are the baby lice. Nymphs become adult lice approximately after a week. Nits are the eggs that are left on the hair shaft close to the scalp, and hatch in warm temperatures. Nits hatch between one to two weeks after being laid.

Head lice are more common in children, because of close contact with other children. They can be transferred by sharing hats, headphones, brushes, barrettes, hair ties, pillows, and even clothing, especially clothing with hoods.

Head lice feed off blood from the scalp. Not all children may have symptoms, such as, scratching and rashes. Swelling of the lymph nods is not uncommon as well.

You cannot get rid of lice by a regular shampooing or brushing them out. A special medicated shampoo can be purchased over the counter. The instructions for the shampoo should be followed exactly. You must comb the hair with a special comb after the shampooing to remove the nits. Check hair about twenty four to forty eight hours after first shampooing. If the shampoo is not working after the next treatment (7-10 days after), do not continue using same shampoo. Talk to your doctor about it.

To take precautionary actions, you may vacuum carpets and car. Remove all stuffed animals, and seal in a plastic bag for two weeks. Bed linens and pillows may be washed in hot water and/or even place in dryer for at least twenty minutes. You don't have to worry about your pets, because lice CANNOT live off them, or transfer lice. Lice may live off the human head for approximately three days. Soak hair products, like combs, brushes, hair ties, etcetera in rubbing alcohol or even boil them.

Here is my story. One day after giving my daughter a bath, I noticed something in her hair. I thought it was just a piece of grass, because I didn't look close enough. I picked it out of her hair with my nail and dumped it in the garbage (I just swept the floor). The next day I saw another "piece of grass" and did the same thing. I am 32, and never seen head lice growing up, but I was told they were white. So due to my ignorance I could have prevented it from getting worse. I even clean her hair every time she takes a bath, but even sparkles stick on the scalp. The day I was putting her hair in pigtails, the buggers where moving in her hair, I picked them all out with my fingernail and got rid of them. I didn't know at the time I should have dumped them in a sealable plastic bag.

I talked to two of my on-line friends who both have a lot of kids, and figured at least one of them must have had this experience. One of them has 8 kids and the other has 7, so I figured it was a good shot. I asked what lice looks like and my friend with 7 kids, said, "they're brown Sam". What? I was clueless, so I started searching on the computer.

I was mortified, till I read how common lice are. After I shampooed my children's hair last night, I got the "heebie-jeebies". I felt like I was covered in them. Sounds silly, but they are ugly little buggers. My husband took a half hour to check my hair for lice. None found so far, but doesn't mean that they won't be after, so regular head checks are a must in this house, just incase. I won't be taking any chances now, and I am no longer ignorant to this subject.