Lice is a common condition that afflicts anyone, especially children from the ages of 3-12. http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/common/lice.html# It spreads easily from direct contact with an infested person. Head lice are tiny, wingless insects that live on a person’s scalp and hair. They need blood to survive and get it by biting the scalp. This in turn causes the itching and redness the person feels while infested. Lice will often lay eggs called nits that adhere themselves to a person’s hair shaft. http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/common/lice.html# These parasites cannot be contracted from family pets, nor do they jump or fly from person to person either. Children can spread it through play, in the classroom, or other close group activities. http://www.dhpe.org/infect/lice.html

Once your child is diagnosed or if he/she is sent home from school, you should take care to begin treatment immediately. You will need to purchase a medicated shampoo to effectively rid your child of lice and any possible eggs. It might be a good idea to buy two bottles in case the first treatment doesn’t do the trick. Clothing, bed linens, and plush toys should be washed as well. Combs and brushes should be washed or replaced with new ones.

But the first step, beginning the war against head lice, is to check and confirm that your children are infested. If you have reason to believe your child has been exposed to these parasites, follow these easy steps and learn how to check for head lice, along with useful tips on how to deal with the situation if you find some active on a family member's scalp. Check other family members, especially siblings, who your child has come in contact with and treat them for lice, if needed.

One of the major symptoms or signs of lice is an itchy scalp. Lice are actually biting the infested person’s scalp, which causes this itching sensation. Because of the biting and the subsequent itching, the person’s scalp will become red like that of a rash. Upon closer inspection the lice themselves and their eggs will be seen. The eggs are tiny yellow or brown dots that attach to the person’s hair follicle. They can sometimes be misconstrued as dandruff at first, except for the fact that they don’t shake off as easy. Lice eggs hatch within 1 to 2 weeks of being laid. http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/common/lice.html#

Although itching is a big indication of a lice infestation, it doesn’t always occur right away. This often depends on your child’s skin sensitivity. Some kids may have mild itchiness and think nothing of it, while others may scratch their heads constantly. http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/infectionsguide/lice.html If your child complains about a chronic itching problem, you should call and make an appointment with your his pediatrician immediately to begin treatment. In addition to seeking medical treatment, you can follow the steps here on this page to check for yourself if lice may be present.

1. Grab a flashlight, and find a place with good lighting, and have the person take a seat so that you can comfortably stand over them and get a good look at their scalp.
2. Using a fine-tooth comb, carefully check the scalp line in multiple parts of the scalp, shining the flashlight directly on the area you're examining.
3. Look for active lice, which are reddish brown or gray, and roughly the size of sesame seeds. You may notice them scurrying quickly, but they will not hop or fly.http://www.headliceremedies.org/head-lice-symptoms-and-how-to-check-for-head-lice-infestation
4. Look for nits, which is what lice eggs are called. They will be found very close to the scalp, usually attached to a hair strand, and hard to remove. They will appear as very small brown, tan, or yellow dots (or after hatching, may leave behind a clear or white shell). They are easily mistaken for dandruff, but cannot be brushed away easily.http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/common/lice.html

Most parents find nits first, and rarely find live lice (which are hard to spot because of their quick speed). If you find either signs of lice, consult your doctor's pediatrician right away. You will also want to alert your child's school or care facility so that they may alert other parents to also check their children.

Once you know for certain that your child has lice you should begin treating him or her. You can have a doctor prescribe a medicated shampoo or buy an over-the-counter product. Be sure to read the package directions carefully on how to use. First, wet the hair. Next, apply shampoo to the hair and scalp being sure that the entire head is covered. Leave on for about 10 minutes and then rinse out. The shampoos used to treat lice are insecticides so use caution and cover your child’s eyes when applying. Using the lice comb that was included with the medicated shampoo, comb out your child’s hair in sections from scalp to end. This should remove the dead lice and their eggs. You may need to repeat this treatment in 7-10 days to kill any new nits. Check your child’s hair every night and continue doing this for a few days even after all the lice have been treated. http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/infectionsguide/lice.html

You might also want to wash all bed linens and clothing worn by your child in the Hot water cycle. If your child sleeps with any stuffed animals or plush toys, wash them as well. Hair brushes, combs, barrettes or other hair accessories should be soaked in the medicated shampoo or thrown out completely.

The best way to prevent a lice outbreak is to stay away from someone who has it. However, since you can’t immediately tell who has lice, except for constant itching, this may be difficult. To keep your children from being exposed you should tell them to avoid coming in direct contact with someone who has lice. Teach them not share their hair items, hats, helmets, or clothing with anyone but especially with someone who has been diagnosed with lice. Be on the lookout for signs of a possible infestation and check your children’s hair and scalp daily if they have come in contact with a person who has lice. http://www.dhpe.org/infect/lice.html Most schools and daycares have a policy that insists children with lice be kept home for at least a day or 2 to prevent an outbreak.

If you’ve taken all the necessary precautions and your child still ends up with a case of lice, treat the problem immediately. Do not make a big deal of it and do not blame anyone else or someone’s child. The last thing you want is to upset your child and add to their discomfort.