There are few problems that can be more disruptive to life in your family's home than a child developing lice. Unfortunately, it is a reality that this is a problem that many people are not accurately informed about. In order to ensure that you understand the unique challenges that can be posed by a lice infestation, you will need to know the facts concerning a few frequently held misconceptions.
Myth: Lice Are Caused By Poor Hygiene
There is a particularly common notion that lice are caused by a person failing to practice proper hygiene. As a result, lice problems often have a harsh stigma associated with them. However, you should be aware of the fact that the idea that lice are attracted to dirty hair is false. In fact, lice will generally prefer a clean head of hair over a dirty one, but they will infect either if given the opportunity.
Myth: You Will Need To Burn Possessions To Prevent Recontamination
When battling a lice infestation, it is commonly assumed by some individuals that they will need to burn many of their possessions, such as bedding and stuffed animals. However, this is not necessary, as there are chemical sprays that can be used to neutralize any lice or lice eggs that have contaminated these surfaces. After spraying these items, you will want to leave them outside for several hours so that any remaining lice can flee without moving to other areas of your home's interior.
Myth: There Are No Ways To Prevent Lice
Following a lice outbreak at your child's school, it is important to understand that there are a few simple steps that can greatly reduce the risk of your child developing this problem. For example, children with long hair should keep it braided or pulled back so as to minimize the risk of stray hairs coming into contact with infected children or surfaces. Another step that can be taken is to mix a small amount of tea tree oil into shampoo products. Tea tree oil will leave a scent and residue that is a natural repellent to lice, which can greatly reduce the risk of your child catching these pests.
Lice can be a problem that many parents will find themselves addressing at some point or another. Appreciating the facts that lice are attracted to clean and dirty hair, that it is unnecessary to burn possessions, and the steps for reducing the risk of infection will help you to be a responsible parent when it comes to addressing this common childhood problem. To learn how to diagnose head lice, talk to your family doctor.
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