Embarrassed! My Stylist Found Lice

Two stylists are surprised to find lice on a teen's long hair.

Yikes, you just took your kid for a routine haircut and discovered that your child has lice! You may wonder how you missed the warning signs, but don't fear; treating lice is easy. Rest assured, this is a common woe for parents, but it's difficult not to feel embarrassed.

In this article, we'll discuss identifying if your child has lice, dealing with the embarrassment of having lice and common stigmas, and treating lice.

How to Identify if Your Child Has Lice

You may suspect your child has lice if you notice itching, scratching, redness, or agitation – especially at night time. It's essential to thoroughly inspect your child's scalp and hair so you can act accordingly.

Lice are tiny, wingless insects that live on the scalp and hair of humans. They feed on human blood and cause intense itching and discomfort. The easiest way to identify lice is by looking for their eggs, also called nits. These small, yellowish-white eggs attach to the base of hair shafts close to the scalp. At first, you may think they are dandruff, but they do not detach from the hair follicles like dandruff.

Another way to identify lice is by looking for adult lice. They can range in size but are often the size of a sesame seed. They move quickly and avoid light.

The best way to identify lice if you suspect an infestation is to conduct an at-home inspection.
Have your child sit down and begin by separating their hair from the scalp with a fine comb or lice and nit comb. Comb slowly through each section of the hair and look for any small eggs or adult lice. You may need a magnifying glass or light to detect tiny insects properly.

How to Treat Lice

Uh oh, you've conducted your at-home inspection and discovered that your child does have lice! The good news is that lice can be easily treated. It's important to note that lice are highly contagious, and you will want to treat your whole family and your home to ensure no re-infestation. The Licefreee Ultimate Family Kit is an excellent option.

Begin with the homeopathic Licefreee Spray included in the kit. Spray and saturate dry hair with the solution, then let air dry. 

Next, it's time to treat your home. Lice can fall and spread on shared linens, clothing, furniture, etc. Use Licefreee! Home, also included in the kit, to kill lice on objects that cannot be laundered, like mattresses and furniture. Spray directly onto things until visibly wet and allow to dry. Anything that can be washed, should be washed and dried on a hot setting.

Follow-up treatment with Licefreee Everyday Shampoo to prevent re-infestation after treatment. Use this shampoo as you would regular shampoo daily for two weeks to help avoid the re-infestation of lice or nits. 

How to Deal with the Embarrassment of Having Lice

Plenty of stigmas come with having lice – especially if your hair stylist detects them before you do. You, along with your child, may feel mortified. However, lice are common, especially in school-age children. It's important not to scare or overwhelm your child in this situation, as creepy crawlies can be traumatizing, especially when living on your scalp!

Instead, be open and honest with your child's hairdresser or barber. Ask if they have any particular protocols in place for dealing with it. Most hair salons will have policies in place for scenarios like this.

You should also contact your child's school (link to school policies article) and find out their policies on lice. Many schools will notify parents of a recent infestation, and this will help families act accordingly.

Common Stigmas of Having Lice

Some people assume that lice are a sign of poor hygiene. This is just not the case. Lice can be found in clean environments and can happen to anyone, regardless of personal hygiene habits.
Unfortunately, having lice is associated with many negative stigmas.

It's important to note that lice infestations do not reflect your parenting skills or cleanliness. They are a common problem that can happen to anyone and any household.

Resources

©2024 TecLabs
This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, medical evidence not accepted. Not evaluated by the FDA.
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