Want to learn how to prevent head lice during an outbreak? Are you scared of having "unwanted guests" in your hair? While the idea of getting lice is really scary, they actually aren't that bad. A couple of steps will help you prevent them, so you don't have to deal with the difficulty of getting rid of them.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Determine the Symptoms
Step 1. Know the symptoms of head lice
As you may know, they are very small and white, gray or brown in color. They concentrate mostly around the ears and on the nape of the neck and feed on human blood. They are more noticeable on dark hair.
- The most typical symptom of head lice is itching on the nape of the neck.
- In children, lice very often have no symptoms, until weeks or months after infestation. For this reason, it is very important to carry out checks with the comb, to identify the first nestings.
- Doctors recommend doing a comb inspection right after the baby takes a shower, when his hair is still wet.
Step 2. Teach your children the importance of not sharing certain items with others
Head lice are very common in school; it is important to be careful that in these places children do not share certain objects; for instance:
- Hair
- Bandanas
- Cushions
- Combs
- Any other object that may come into contact with the head.
Step 3. Know the true vectors of lice
Of course, while head lice are annoying, they are not to be avoided as an infectious disease. Instead, try to find out who has just been through a lice infestation, or is being treated for it. Knowledge is power.
If someone has had lice and is cured, but it's not yet two weeks after treatment, avoid contact with the items they use. You don't have to be afraid of them, just avoid situations where your head can come into contact with them
Step 4. Check it out
Head lice are common at school or during summer camps. If your child is not being screened, explicitly ask the school nurse to see them from time to time. If the school does not offer this possibility, consider a pediatric visit at regular intervals.
Method 2 of 2: Using Strategic Preventive Measures
Step 1. Stay away from chemical sprays
They are not effective against head lice and can be more harmful than beneficial, especially if accidentally inhaled or ingested.
Step 2. Regularly wash the bedding or clothing your baby uses when he sleeps if you suspect he has got head lice
In particular you should:
- Wash baby sheets in hot water
- Wash all clothes that the child has worn for more than 48 hours.
- Place your baby's soft toys in the dryer for 20 minutes.
Step 3. Put the used hair care products in warm water, isopropyl alcohol or a suitable shampoo
These items include: brushes, combs, hair bands, clips etc …
Step 4. Use a lice repellent for your hair
Whether it's a smell, or an aversion to a certain chemical compound, lice try to stay away from:
- Melaleuca oil. You can use a shampoo or conditioner with this ingredient to repel lice.
- Coconut oil. Coconut oil is a good head lice deterrent.
- Menthol, eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, rosemary oil. Lice do not like the smell of these substances.
- There are also special repellents for hair. Make sure you don't use a shampoo to kill lice until you are certain that you have been a victim. if you do this you could damage your hair.
Step 5. Vacuum the floor and any other objects that may be infested with a lice colony
Once a month, do a deep cleaning of carpets and any other areas of the house that could pose a danger.
Step 6. Live life
Don't live with the fear of being a victim of head lice; it is not worth worrying as long as there is no real danger.
Advice
- If you are undergoing head lice treatment, be sure to follow the instructions and check up frequently for two weeks following treatment, as well as follow the post-treatment instructions. This is a practice designed to eliminate dead lice and eggs. If you don't do this "follow up" a relapse will be the most likely thing to happen to you.
- Thinking about head lice will make your head itch; so don't think about it. Very often our imagination can play tricks.
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Is your head itchy? Do a quick mirror check. If you believe you have seen head lice, ask a nurse to check for you.
If you find that you have head lice, use dandruff shampoo and conditioner. Head lice treatments can also be found at any drugstore. Children should stay away from H&S, as it contains a chemical that is not suitable for them. Adults can safely use H & S
- Seats on the plane, in the theater or on the bus are often a very frequent vehicle for head lice. Put your jacket on the chair before sitting in one of these public places.
- Do not completely keep away from a person infested with lice. You can still see her, but try not to make contact with her head, or her hair.
- During the school year, avoid scented shampoos or conditioners; attract lice more. Use neutral and odorless shampoos; you can always use the scented ones on the weekend. The smell of coconut is an exception to this rule.
Warnings
- If anyone at school has had lice, avoid scented shampoo.
- [For parents]: NOT use H&S on your children's hair; contains an unsuitable chemical component at a young age.
