Getting rid of lice
Posted: February 04, 2014One of the most annoying things for parents is a case of lice. The tiny parasites live in human hair and are common in school-aged children. If you get a note home from school or your child complains of an itchy scalp, what do you need to do? Le Bonheur Pediatrician Elisha McCoy, MD, demonstrates how to check for lice and then how to treat the child, family and house.
How to check:
- Begin looking at the hair line for nits (eggs)
- You will most likely not see lice as they will run away from movement
- Nits will be close to the hair line (approx. 1 cm from hairline)
- Finding nits diagnoses an infestation of head lice
How to treat:
- There are many over-the-counter products
- Follow product’s directions very closely
- Treat then wait seven to 10 days then re-treat
- See a doctor if nits are still present
How to treat house:
- Check all adults and children in the house
- Wash all lines and dry on highest settings
- Vacuum all carpet
- Bag everything up and seal it for two weeks before using again
