5 Tips to Keep Your Kids Lice-Free!

With school back in session, you may be dreading any news of head lice making their way into the classroom. “It’s important to know that head lice require direct contact between heads or shared items that touch heads,” explains PIH Health Physician Edwardo Tellez MD. Take precautions this school year to prevent your kids from these itchy critters.

1. Share with Caution. Tell your kids not to share anything that may have come in contact with someone else’s head. This includes obvious items like hats, helmets, hairbrushes, headbands, barrettes and scarves. Be aware of other items such as pillows, coats, uniforms, towels and sleeping bags.
2. Keep a Mindful Distance from Others: Encourage your child to avoid head-to-head contact while playing or participating in sports. It’ not always possible, but explaining how lice transfer through direct contact is essential to help kids remember to keep their distance.
3. Hang it, Don't Toss it: Teach your child the importance of keeping their clothing and backpacks separate from those of others. When tossed in a pile, lice can easily transfer to touching items. A dedicated hook for belongings ensures minimal contact with potentially affected items.
4. Clean and Care for Shared Items: Regularly clean items that your child shares with others. Use alcohol-based wipes for smooth surfaces, place fabrics in the dryer above 130 degrees Fahrenheit and seal shared items in a plastic container for 48 hours before next use.
5. Weekly Hair Checkups: “Make it a weekly habit to check your child's hair for lice and nits (small eggs). Nits can be found attached to the hair, not on the skin, usually within an inch or two of the scalp,” advises Dr. Tellez. “Lice tend to hide at the back of the head, near the neck and behind the ears. The best time to check is when your child's hair is damp after washing.”

By following these practical tips, you can reduce the chances of your child bringing home unwelcomed head lice from school.

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