Lice are a common problem for school-age children and their parents. Unfortunately, there is no sure way to completely prevent head lice from spreading from person to person. However, you can help prevent lice outbreaks in your child's school by following some simple tips.

Check your kids (and yourself) for lice occasionally.

One of the most important things you can do to prevent lice outbreaks in your child's classroom is to check their hair regularly. Lice are easy to detect and treat with our special Licefreee! Spray. They are often found at the base of the hair shaft and on the head.

It would be best if you inspect your children's heads weekly by parting their hair into sections with a specialized nit comb in combination with our spray treatment, checking each section for nits (tiny eggs) or live lice. The best spots to check are around the ears and the nape of the neck. If you find any signs of lice, apply an over-the-counter lice treatment as soon as possible. You should also have a plan in case it happens at school!

Don’t share combs and brushes.

Do not share combs, brushes, and hats. If you have head lice, you should:

• Wash your bedding weekly in hot water (at least 130 degrees F).
• Do the same with your brushes and combs by soaking them in hot water.
• Vacuum your furniture thoroughly to reduce the chances of spreading nits.

Don’t share hats, scarves, or coats.

• Don't share hats, scarves, or coats. Lice can easily crawl from one person's head onto another person's hair if you do.
• Don’t share a bed with anyone diagnosed with lice until at least 24 hours after treatment.
• Avoid furniture used by anyone diagnosed with lice for at least 48 hours.

Make sure children know not to touch each other's hair.

It's also essential to make your children aware that lice are spread through direct contact, so they should avoid touching each other’s hair and headwear. If they are in the habit of sharing hats, scarves, or coats, instruct them to refrain from doing so to avoid spreading lice.

They should also be encouraged to inspect combs and brushes when someone else uses them. Assume everyone in the family has nits or an active infestation of lice. In that case, all household members must strictly wash combs and brushes after every use.

Finally, and this may sound like common sense, don’t take selfies with your friends! Keep your distance as long as there is a lice outbreak!

Don't let kids have pillows when they take naps at school.

Pillows are a common way head lice spread. Your child should not have a pillow when they nap at school. If any pillows are used, they should be washed regularly. Pillows should also be kept in plastic bags and stored away from other pillows when not in use.

If your child has head lice, you should make sure that no one else touches their hair until it's been treated with over-the-counter medication for head lice. If you want to use an alternative treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist about what they recommend.

When possible, schools and parents should work together to prevent the spread of head lice.

A significant way to prevent lice outbreaks is for parents and schools to work together. As a parent, you know your child best, so you must regularly check their hair for signs of lice. This can be done with a Licefreee NitDuo, which allows you to detect visible eggs, especially when coupled with a magnifying glass. If any signs of lice appear, immediately contact the school to notify the class to get checked.

Conclusion

Schools and parents should work together to prevent the spread of head lice. If your child has lice, be sure to tell your school so they can take action and make sure no one else gets infected.