Lice in a child: how can I avoid infection? - briefly
Inspect your child's scalp daily and comb the hair with a fine‑tooth nit comb after each wash. Keep personal items separate, discourage head‑to‑head contact, and apply an approved pediculicide promptly if lice are detected.
Lice in a child: how can I avoid infection? - in detail
Head lice infestations are common among school‑age children. Effective prevention relies on regular inspection, environmental control, and education of caregivers and children.
Routine checks should be performed at least once a week, focusing on the nape of the neck and behind the ears. Use a fine‑toothed comb on damp hair; any live insects or viable nits attached within 1 mm of the scalp indicate an active problem.
Key preventive measures include:
- Personal hygiene habits – Encourage children to avoid sharing combs, brushes, hats, scarves, headphones, and hair accessories.
- Clothing and bedding management – Wash worn garments, pillowcases, and blankets in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and tumble‑dry on high heat. Items that cannot be laundered should be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks to starve lice.
- Hair care practices – Keep hair tied back or in short styles when possible; long hair should be brushed daily to detect early signs.
- Environmental cleaning – Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and floor coverings regularly. Discard or clean items that cannot be sanitized, such as used hair rollers.
- Education and communication – Inform teachers, school staff, and parents about the signs of infestation and the importance of prompt reporting.
If an infestation is confirmed, immediate treatment is required. Recommended steps:
- Apply a pediculicide shampoo or lotion containing permethrin (1 %) or dimethicone, following the product’s instructions precisely.
- Leave the preparation on the scalp for the specified duration, then rinse thoroughly.
- After 7–10 days, repeat the treatment to eliminate newly hatched nymphs.
- Comb out all nits with a fine‑toothed nit comb while the hair is still damp; repeat this process every 2–3 days for two weeks.
- Clean personal items (combs, brushes, hair ties) by soaking them in hot water (≥ 50 °C) for at least 10 minutes.
Monitoring continues for at least four weeks after treatment. Any recurrence warrants re‑evaluation of the treatment method and possible consultation with a healthcare professional for alternative medications such as malathion or ivermectin, which may be prescribed when resistance is suspected.
By integrating systematic inspection, strict personal item policies, proper laundering, and prompt therapeutic action, the risk of head‑lice transmission among children can be substantially reduced.