Barbara Correa writes about work and family for the Los Angeles Daily News.They're Back: Lice Attack!
Ech. I became infested with the little critters once as a teacher's aid to a kindergarten class, but I haven't had to deal with lice as a Mom yet. I suspect most mothers are less yucked out by the little parasites themselves than by the whole idea of them being anywhere near their child. Is it itchy in here?
I know, lice aren't exactly something to joke about. According to a company called Fairy Tales Hair Care for Children, U.S. schools are experiencing a lice epidemic this back to school season as the louse becomes resistant to traditional chemicals. Fairy Tales has a major stake in that being true as their main products are lice-ridding treatments. But I must admit, they carry some interesting stuff.
One I may end up ordering is a leave-in spray with Rosemary, said to repel lice. Every morning before sending the kids off to daycare or preschool, you just douse them in lice repellant. Pretty cool.
More tips for prevention:
Check your child under a bright light weekly. Look for tiny bugs or grayish-colored, rice sized nits or eggs. They will be glued to the hair shaft at an angle 1/2 inch from the scalp. Focus on the "hot spots" back of nec, around ears and part lines.
Tell your child never to share hats, combs, pillows, nap mats, sporting equipment.
Herbs such as rosemary and citronella have been shown to repel head lice.