Don't Panic!!! If your child comes home with head lice. Anyone, adult or child, can get head lice. Head lice are passed from person to person by direct contact or shared objects (combs, towels, caps, coats, headphones, etc). Head lice have nothing to do with cleanliness and does not reflect poorly on you as a parent. The problem is easily managed.
Observation:
Check every member of the family. Lice may be hard to locate because they move quickly and shy away from the light. Their eggs are easier to see. Look for tiny white eggs (nits) on hair shafts, near the scalp, especially at the nape of the neck and behind the ears. These nits can sometimes be mistaken for dandruff, but they cannot be easily brushed or blown away. Head lice are small grayish-tan insects without wings. Any family member with lice or nits must be treated. All close contacts, such as playmates, should be checked. The most common symptom is itching of the scalp.
Treatment:
1. Use an effective head lice treatment. Several are available without a prescription, The creme rinse requires just one application and protects against reinfestation for up to two weeks. Shampoo treatments require a second application 7-10 days after the first. Please read all directions carefully and follow them exactly. If you have any questions ask the pharmacist.
2. Remove all the nits. Gently comb the child's hair with the special nit removal comb. These combs are usually provided by the lice treatment products.
3. Wash clothes, bed linens, and towels. Use HOT WATER AND DRY ON HOT CYCLE FOR AT LEAST 20 MINUTES.
4. Items not machine washable may be stored at room temperature in a tightly sealed plastic bag for at least two weeks. Items such as headphones and helmets should be similarly bagged and stored.
5. Soak combs, brushes, etc. in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
6. To make sure the rest of your home is louse free, you should vacuum carpets, pillows, mattresses, upholstered furniture and even car seats.