IT is safe to say it is a parent’s nightmare to combat countless barely visible blood-sucking parasites scurrying all over their child’s scalp.
While there is no ‘sure as eggs are eggs’ way to totally scratch any possibility of lice from your lives, you can make it a lot more difficult for the rogues to latch on in the first place.
Here are a few suggestions to reduce the risk:
1. Keep long hair braided or a bun
2. Use hairspray to control stray hairs
3. Add tea tree oil, a lice repellent, to shampoo (only a few drops)
4. Teach your child never to share hair brushes, hats, helmets, headbands, hair accessories or scarves.
Too late? Do not panic!
It is a common condition, which has nothing to do with cleanliness.
There are a range of treatments available.
Here is how to get rid of them:
1. Buy a treatment, which includes a topical spray or shampoo as well as a fine-toothed nit comb to remove all the lice nits from the hair.
2. Place a white towel over your child’s shoulders.
3. Wet hair thoroughly and apply treatment following the instructions carefully.
4. Do not wash the hair for two days after treating it.
5. Tackle your home – the lice could have spread to bedding, towels, hats and upholstery. Put all you can in a hot wash and soak combs, brushes and hair accessories in boiling water.
6. Vacuum the floor and upholstery.
