Combat Head Lice in 4 Easy Steps
You’ve discovered the pesky bugs in your kid’s hair – now what?
18 July 2017
Editor
Whether you’ve noticed them yourself, or you’ve received the dreaded not from school – there’s no denying, lice aren’t the most pleasant thing to deal with.
Unfortunately at one point or another in your little one’s childhood, they’re sure to catch the nasty little critters. But as their parent, there’s no need to panic; they’re easily combated with some patience, tricks and time.
Some facts about head lice
But before we share the best ways to banish the lice, here’s some useful information that you should know about nature’s little bugs….
So what can you do to rid your child’s (or you own) hair from lice?
1. Keep it contained
The best defence against lice is to avoid head-to-head contact completely, and don’t share things like brushes or hats. We also suggest cutting your child’s hair shorter, or keep long hair tied back in braids or ponytails – lice move between people by crawling onto hair, you see.
2. Treat it
While there are some chemical treatments available on the market, you should choose products that work by dissolving the louse’s waxy exoskeleton, which leads to dehydration and death. As graphic as that might seem, a smothering agent like olive oil or coconut oil can do just the trick.
3. Comb it, and comb again
The best kinds of lice combs are made with fine metal teeth, that are close together and are very effective at removing eggs before they hatch. Brush daily until any evidence of the critters have disappeared.
4. Clean your house and your sheets
Try to maintain a clean environment at home; sheets, pillowcases and hats should go in the dryer for at least 30 minutes. If you have some items that can’t be put in the dryer, bag them up for two days as lice die within 24 to 48 hours of being away from their blood supply – the scalp.
