What should be done to prevent a child from getting lice? - briefly
Frequent hair inspections, limiting head‑to‑head contact, and keeping personal items such as hats, combs, and bedding separate lower the risk of infestation. Using a lice‑repellent shampoo or conditioner according to the label provides additional protection.
What should be done to prevent a child from getting lice? - in detail
Lice spread through direct head‑to‑head contact and by sharing personal items such as combs, hats, and scarves. Reducing exposure requires consistent habits and environmental control.
- Keep hair clean and trimmed; short hair limits attachment sites.
- Avoid sharing combs, brushes, hair accessories, helmets, and earbuds.
- Require children to wear personal headgear and store it separately from others.
- Perform regular scalp inspections, at least once a week, focusing on the nape and behind ears.
- Wash clothing, bedding, and towels in hot water (≥130 °F) after any suspected case; dry on high heat.
- Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, and car seats to remove stray nits.
- Use a fine‑toothed lice comb on dry hair weekly; remove any detected nits promptly.
- Educate children about not touching each other’s heads and reporting itching or soreness.
Schools should enforce a policy that isolates affected students only for the treatment period, not for the entire school day, and should notify parents immediately when a case is identified. Parents must keep treatment supplies—over‑the‑counter or prescription products—readily available and follow label instructions precisely.
Maintaining these practices creates a barrier that significantly lowers the risk of infestation.