According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between six and 12 million kids between the ages of three and 11 get lice every year. Yikes!
If you’ve got a daughter, she’s at an increased risk of getting lice. Experts say that girls may get lice more often than boys because they naturally come into physical contact with one another and may share hair accessories and products. Further, African-Americans are said to develop lice less often than other races.
When it comes to these creepy-crawly – and contagious -- critters, kids usually get lice at school or during group activities like sporting events or overnight stays with friends. However, lice can also be spread through shared clothing items, brushes or even by lying on a bed that has been occupied by a person with lice. This means that grownups could get it, too.
And spotting lice can be tricky. According to Kidshealth.org, lice are tiny, making it tough to see them. Lice eggs (also known as nits) look like dots. They can vary in color from yellow to tan to brown. Eggs will be seen near the scalp because this offers the best temperature for development. Kidshealth.org says that it’s easier to see eggs than actual live lice.
Lice's Lifespan
Like any critter, lice have a lifespan. Once eggs are laid, they hatch in a week or two. You may still see shells, which is said to be white or clear in color. But remember that shells will not be seen near the scalp once the hair grows out.
Lice become adults about a week or two after they hatch and can live up to a month on the scalp. They are said to be about the size of a sesame seed with a gray, white or tan coloring. But baby lice are smaller, making them even harder to spot. Untreated lice will continue to regenerate in three-week intervals.
Parents who have seen lice will tell you that scratching is a common sign. That’s because these critters bite, which can cause discomfort. Kidshealth.org warns that itching may not appear for a number of weeks after infestation, depending on the child. However, kids may still feel something strange. Further, you may notice bumps or sores.
To look for lice, divide your child’s hair into sections and comb through each chunk with a fine-tooth comb. You might want to use both a magnifying glass and a flashlight in this process. This will help spot lice.
If you do discover lice, take action immediately. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lice must be treated. Plus, you’ll want to check others for lice infestation, including friends, family members and others with whom your child has come into contact.
Effective Lice Treatment
The CDC says that some lice treatments (also called pediculicides) wipe out eggs but may take one or more treatments once eggs have hatched. All items that have come into contact with lice should be washed in hot water and dried on high heat. Generally, lice and lice eggs die after five minutes of exposure to a temperature of 128.3 degrees Fahrenheit or more.
For things that can’t be washed, seal them in plastic bags for two weeks. After this time, they can be dry cleaned. And be sure to vacuum any areas where a person with lice has been. This includes both carpeted areas and furniture.
When it comes to treating lice, follow the directions on an over-the-counter lice medicine. The CDC warns that those with long hair may need two boxes to complete treatment. Don't use two-in-one shampoo/conditioner options or conditioner in general before treating a person for lice. And don’t wash your child’s hair again for a day or two after medication has been removed. This can make treatments less effective.
Super Lice?
One problem with treating lice that surfaced in early 2016 is so-called "super lice," those lice on which traditional over-the-counter treatments are ineffective. Resistant strains of lice have been found in more than 25 states, according to a research team at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Pyrethroids, the active ingredient in lice cures, are the weak link. The pesky parasites have developed resistance to it – but the good news is that repeated treatments seem to do the trick.
But if it doesn't, dermatologists recommend seeking a prescription from a doctor, to which lice is more susceptible.
Going Green
If you tend to go green and use natural products, investigate natural treatments for lice. According to the Mayo Clinic, some studies suggest that tea tree oil can treat lice. That said, these types of studies are still in the early stages, and larger studies would need to be conducted before a definite answer is reached.
When it comes to efficacy of treatment, you’ll want to see if lice are actively moving eight to 12 hours after treatment has been applied. If they seem sluggish, you don’t need to retreat. However, if lice still seem perky after eight to 12 hours, talk to a doctor about a different method of treatment before re-treating. Then check your child’s hair every two or three days and after two or three weeks, and rid hair of both live and dead lice with a fine-toothed comb designed for this purpose.
You’ll also want to take steps to keep lice from coming back. To do this, wash and dry clothing and bedding items that have been exposed to lice with heat in mind. The CDC advises soaking both combs and brushes in water that reaches at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit for five to 10 minutes. Plus, remember that lice can only live for a day or two when they are not feeding off of a human, meaning that they will die.
Further, make sure that your child does not come into contact with the heads of other children at home or at school. And tell your child not to share clothes with other kids -- especially hats, coats and other items that come into contact with the head. Warn your child against sharing combs or brushes with other kids, too.
If your child has come into contact with lice, be sure to tell authority figures about this health issue. While this can be embarrassing, it is essential to inform parents and teachers so that affected children can be treated. After all, you owe it to the people around you to tell the truth.