For your family
If you’ve found head lice in your family, you’re not alone. There are anywhere between six and 12 million cases of head lice in the United States alone each year, and many of these cases affect children under the age of 12. Lice frequently occurs in schools because of the ease of it spreading in that environment, but once a child brings it home, a whole family can become infested. Anyone can get head lice, regardless of age, race, gender, or personal hygiene.
If you discover head lice in your family, we suggest five steps for solving the problem:
- Calm down. Understandably, the most common response to head lice is panic, followed quickly by a feeling of disgust. The thought of creepy-crawly creatures taking over your family’s scalps is never pleasant, but it’s important to try and remain calm. Your children will likely react to how you respond. Make sure they know that head lice can happen to everyone, but you’ll beat it together. They may need some reassurance that they don’t have “cooties” and that the most harm this pest can do is annoy them.
- Collect information. Some parents rush to the nearest pharmacy when they discover head lice, but one of the best first steps you can take is to become more informed about head lice and what to expect when treating it. Beating head lice is often not as simple as applying something and moving on. You’ll want to know how long it takes before the pest is gone, what to do to clean your home, and answers to other questions.
- Choose a solution. There are many options for removing head lice. Some are very toxic, some are not as effective as others, and some are safe and effective. They also vary greatly in price, so if cost is important to you, it will be worth the time to find a solution that works without busting the budget. We offer a solution that is non-toxic, cost-effective, and trusted by over 70 school districts – it’s one of many you might consider.
- Commit to a plan. Once you choose a head lice treatment, commit yourself to a full attack on the lice and nits. Use the treatment on your children and anyone else is your family who may have lice, and use a nit comb to inspect hair and remove all nits. Our solution can also be used on laundry and upholstery, so consider treating the home as a supplementary way to get rid of the pest. Vacuum regularly, and engage your children whenever possible to teach them about lice and help them understand how you can prevent it in the future.
- Check often. It can take a few weeks to completely remove lice and nits from a home and family. During this time, examine your family’s hair and scalps regularly under a bright light to ensure you’ve removed all nits. While the adult lice may be more creepy, the problem is not over unless their eggs are gone! Some solutions, like our non-toxic shampoo, are safe enough to use repeatedly until you feel comfortable that lice and nits are gone. Continue vacuuming and practicing preventative measures.
Your family may have different concerns about lice because of the various ages of your children or other circumstances. There are a few special cases in which you may have more questions about lice and how to prevent or treat the problem:
