Back to School means Head Lice Season!
Fall months are the prime time for head lice. Millions of people get head lice each year and infestations are especially common in schools.
To reduce the risk of your child getting head lice teach them not to share things that touch the head. Brushes, combs, hair accessories, hats, helmets, scarves, towels, and even earbuds offer head lice a good place to hang out until they can crawl onto a human.
Signs and symptoms include
:
- Itchy scalp
- Excessive scratching of head and neck
- Crawling sensation on hair and scalp
- Light brown sesame seeds bugs moving on hair, skin, or clothing
- Pinhead sized eggs (nits) seem glued to the hair
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Pink eye
FDA-approved treatments for head lice include both over-the-counter and prescription drugs in the form of shampoos, creams and lotions.
Treating head lice:
- After rinsing the product from the hair and scalp, use a fine-toothed comb or special “nit comb” to remove dead lice and nits.
- Apply the product only to the scalp and the hair attached to the scalp, not to other body hair.
- Use medication exactly as directed on the label and never more than directed.
- Use treatments on children only under the direct supervision of an adult.
If the at-home treatment does not work or it is more than you can handle, you should see a dermatologist for treatment. Your dermatologist may recommend an FDA approved prescription medicine and can offer other techniques and tips for getting rid of lice.
