Every parent dreads them! They are tiny, wingless parasitic insects that infest the scalp and hair of humans and seem to have a preference for pre-school and primary school aged children.
Head lice feed on human blood and can cause itching and discomfort. Head lice are most commonly spread through direct head-to-head contact with an infested person or through sharing personal items such as hats, brushes, and towels. Infestations are common among school-aged children due to their close contact during play and activities.
While head lice are not known to spread disease, they can be a nuisance and cause embarrassment. Prompt treatment with lice shampoos or other lice treatments is essential to effectively eliminate lice and prevent their spread to others. Regular checks and good hygiene practices can help prevent and manage head lice infestations.
Prevention:
To prevent lice infestations, it’s important to:
- Avoid Sharing Personal Items: Encourage children to avoid sharing hats, scarves, brushes, combs, and other personal items.
- Avoid Head-to-Head Contact: Teach children to avoid head-to-head contact during play and other activities.
- Regular Checks: Perform regular head checks for signs of lice, such as nits (lice eggs) or live lice.
- Maintain Good Hygiene: Encourage regular washing of hair, clothing, and bedding.
- Use Repellents: Some natural and over-the-counter products may help repel lice, but they are not guaranteed to prevent infestations entirely.
Head lice repellent
1 cup filtered water
10-15 drops tea tree essential oil
10-15 drops lavender essential oil
10-15 drops rosemary essential oil
5-10 drops peppermint essential oil
Spray bottle
Instructions:
Mixing: In a spray bottle, combine the filtered water with the essential oils. Shake well to mix.
Application:
Spray the natural lice repellent spray onto your child’s hair daily, ideally before school. Focus on the scalp and behind the ears. You can also spray it on hats, scarves, and other accessories that come in contact with the hair.
Storage:
Store the spray bottle in a cool, dark place when not in use.
Head lice are most prevalent in January, February and again August to October, so ensure you are vigilant during these months.
