It was just another day for Dylan, a carefree second grader headed to school. Like any other day, he eagerly rushed into the classroom, shedding his winter coat and placing it on the same hooks as his classmates. That day, however, there had been hushed whispers among the teachers—another lice outbreak had been confirmed.
Little did Dylan know that his coat had a visitor. Lice, those tiny wingless parasites, don’t have much mobility beyond their host’s scalp, but now and then, they find a way to travel. A stray hair, fallen from the head of another child, made its way onto Dylan’s jacket and, with it, a hitchhiking louse. Clinging to the hair, the louse nestled into the fabric, unknowingly journeying with Dylan back home, where it would seek another warm scalp to call home.
How Long Can Lice Live on Clothes?
Unlike some pests that can live for weeks away from their primary habitat, lice have a very short lifespan once separated from a human scalp. A louse typically lives about 24-48 hours away from a host. While they thrive in the warm, humid environment provided by the hair and the scalp, lice on clothing have a much harder time. They cannot survive for long without a food source (blood). However, in that limited window, they can still be transferred from one item of clothing to another or furniture, bedding, or carpets.
This means that, in environments like schools where clothes often hang close together, there is a real risk that lice can travel via coats, hats, scarves, or even hair accessories. Dylan’s situation is not unusual, especially during an outbreak. When a louse finds itself on a new fabric, its next mission is to crawl toward a fresh scalp for food and survival.
How to Treat Lice on Clothing
If you’ve discovered that someone in your household has lice, treating the head is the priority, but don’t forget about clothes and bedding. While lice won’t live long on these items, proper treatment can help prevent re-infestation. Here are the steps you can take:
- Wash Clothes and Bedding: The most effective way to kill lice on clothing is by washing them in hot water (at least 130°F) and then drying them in a high-heat cycle. This method will kill both live lice and nits (lice eggs).
- Treat Non-Washable Items: For items that cannot be washed (like stuffed animals or certain delicate fabrics), use LiceFreee Home Spray. Simply spray the items thoroughly and allow them to dry. Alternatively, place items in a sealed plastic bag for at least 72 hours. The lice will die within a couple of days without access to a scalp.
- Vacuum Upholstery: Make sure to vacuum any areas where the infected person has been sitting or lying down, including couches, carpets, and car seats. Lice can live temporarily on these surfaces; vacuuming will help remove any lingering.
- Avoid Shared Spaces: If possible, limit shared spaces until the lice have been treated. The infected person should use their own towels, pillows, and blankets during treatment and not share bedding or other items.
How to Prevent the Spread of Lice
Prevention is vital for lice, especially in schools where children often share space. Here are some tips to help prevent the spread of lice:
- Teach Children to Avoid Sharing Hats and Clothing: Items like hats, scarves, and jackets are the perfect vehicles for lice. Teach children not to share these items, especially during an outbreak.
- Keep Hair Tied Back: For children with long hair, keeping it tied up in a ponytail or bun can help reduce the chances of contact with lice.
- Use Preventative Products: Licefreee Everyday Shampoo can help avoid a lice infestation, creating an unattractive environment for lice. Using it regularly can help make your child’s hair less appealing to these tiny pests.
Checking for Lice on the Head
Regular checks are crucial to catching an infestation early if your child has been exposed to lice, whether through their clothes or direct contact with another child. Here’s how to properly check for lice:
- Use a Fine-Toothed Comb: A lice comb like the LiceFreee NitDuo can be your best friend in detecting lice. Comb through small sections of hair from the scalp to the ends, wiping the comb on a tissue after each pass to look for live lice or nits.
- Check Behind the Ears and Neck: Lice love to gather in warm spots, so the back of the neck and behind the ears are common areas to check first. Use a fine-toothed comb to part the hair and inspect the scalp.
- Watch for Nits (Eggs): Nits are tiny, oval-shaped eggs that stick to the hair shaft. They’re often mistaken for dandruff, but unlike dandruff, they don’t move quickly. Nits can be brown or white and are typically found close to the scalp.
In the unfortunate case that you do confirm a lice infestation, turn to the LiceFreee Ultimate Family Kit for quick action. This kit has everything you need to treat your family effectively, and also prevent further spreading in the home.
Back to School—Lice-Free
In the event of an outbreak, treatments like Licefreee Spray can help get your child back to school quickly and affordably. The spray kills lice on contact and doesn’t require any combing. It’s an effective tool to eliminate lice and ensure your child can resume daily activities without further spread.
While lice can be persistent, fast action and thorough treatment of the head and clothing can help stop the infestation. Regular use of preventive products like Licefreee Everyday Shampoo can also help minimize the chances of future outbreaks.
So, as Dylan’s story shows, even a tiny hitchhiker can lead to a bigger problem. But with the proper treatment and prevention, you can keep your home—and your child—lice-free.
