Head Lice

Yikes! Not my kid! Pediculus humanus capitis or "head lice" seems to be that dreaded condition that parents hope never comes home with their child.  In the event that your little one catches the "bug," there are important steps to take for treatment and prevention of it spreading.  Although your family doctor and Alberta Health Services are the best sources of information and treatment for head lice, here are a few guidelines I found from www.kidshealth.org. 

* your doctor can recommend a medicated shampoo, cream rinse, or lotion to kill the lice. These may be over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications, depending on what treatments have already been tried. It's important to follow the directions exactly because these products are insecticides.
*after treatment, your doctor may suggest combing out the nits with a fine-tooth comb and also may recommend repeating treatment in 7 to 10 days to kill any newly hatched nits
*wash all bed linens and clothing that's been recently worn by anyone in your home who's infested in very hot water (130° F [54.4° C]), then put them in the hot cycle of the dryer for at least 20 minutes.
*have bed linens, clothing, and stuffed animals and plush toys that can't be washed dry-cleaned. Or, put them in airtight bags for 2 weeks.
*vacuum carpets and any upholstered furniture (in your home or car).
*soak hair-care items like combs, barrettes, hair ties or bands, headbands, and brushes in rubbing alcohol or medicated shampoo for 1 hour. You can also wash them in hot water or just throw them away.
*don't shampoo hair before applying lice medication
*don't wash your child's hair for 1 to 2 days after using a medicated treatment
*tell kids to try to avoid head-to-head contact at school (in gym, on the playground, or during sports) and while playing at home with other children.
*tell kids not to share combs, brushes, hats, scarves, bandannas, ribbons, barrettes, hair ties or bands, towels, helmets, or other personal care items with anyone else, whether they may have lice or not.
*tell kids not to lie on bedding, pillows, and carpets that have recently been used by someone with lice.
*every 3 or 4 days, examine members of your household who have had close contact with a person who has lice. Then, treat those who are found to have lice or nits close to the scalp.

For information about lice, please click here to visit Alberta Health Services.