Headed Back To School After Spring Break And Worried About Head Lice?

Worried about yourself or your loved ones headed back to school? Be proactive and protect yourself the ones around you from a head lice infestation. Arm yourself in advance with the information and products required to prevent head lice. Do not let yourself or your loved ones be affected by an infestation.

Recognize the Signs of an Infestation

Head lice are parasitic insects that can be found on people's heads and bodies. They are very small, about the size of a sesame seed, and usually brown to light gray in color. Some may appear red shortly after feeding off of their host.

Lice infestations are spread most commonly by close person-to-person contact. Unlike human body lice, head lice are not carriers of other infectious diseases. Due to the method of transmission, children are the primary carriers. Schools are one of the most common places infestations occur.

Head lice infest the head and neck and attach their eggs to the base of the hair shaft. Lice move by crawling; they cannot hop or fly. Protect furniture and bedding by using prevention spray once per week.

Incessant Itching

The most characteristic symptom of infestation is itching on the head which normally intensifies 3 to 4 weeks after the initial infestation. The bite reaction is very mild but usually leaves small pink marks. Bites can be seen on the neckline when the hair is pushed aside.

In rare cases, the itch scratch cycle from head lice can lead to secondary infection. Swelling of the local lymph nodes and fever are extremely rare. Head lice are not known to transmit any pathogenic microorganisms.

The following are steps that can be taken to help prevent and control the spread from one person to another:

* Avoid head-to-head contact.
* Do not share clothing such as hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms, hair ribbons, or barrettes.
* Do not share combs, brushes, or towels. Disinfest combs and brushes used by an affected person by soaking them in hot water (at least 130 degrees F) for 5-10 minutes.
* Do not lie on beds, couches, pillows, carpets, or stuffed animals that have recently been in contact with an affected person
* Machine wash and dry clothing, bed linens, and other items that an affected person wore or used during the 2 days before treatment using the hot water laundry cycle and the high heat drying cycle. Clothing and items that are not washable can be dry-cleaned or sealed in a plastic bag and stored for 2 weeks.
* Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay. However, spending much time and money on housecleaning activities is not necessary to avoid re-infestation by lice or nits that may have fallen off the head or crawled onto furniture or clothing.
* Do not use fumigant sprays or fogs; they are not necessary for removal or prevention, and can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

The use of all natural, non-toxic and organic products will help prevent head lice will also help the environment.