Lice prevention in children: how to avoid trouble in advance
If a child complains of itching in the back of the head and temples, an experienced parent may suspect a lice infestation, or head lice. On examination, scratches on the skin are noticeable, accumulations on the hair in the root zone of transparent white bubbles (nits). Why does infection occur and how to avoid it?
Lice prevention in children
The main way of infestation with lice is contact of a carrier child with healthy peers. Most often, epidemics break out in kindergarten, country camp, school, which is why the prevention of lice in the children’s team is so important.
Ways of spread of parasites:
- combs;
- hats;
- elastic bands, bows, headbands;
- Stuffed Toys;
- pillows and bed linen;
- clothes.
A child can pick up lice both in the sports section and on vacation, playing with other children in sea or lake water.
However, there were also cases of head lice development against the background of a lack of contact with the patient. If the baby is experiencing severe stress, if his immune system is weakened, parents may be surprised to find parasites in him.
Lice prevention in children
Yet in most cases, direct contact is the main cause of infection. If someone has lice in kindergarten or school, prevention is the only way to protect your child from adversity. In addition, daily trips in public transport, visits to public places are reasons to conduct regular (every ten days) preventive examinations.
Among the preventive measures, the most effective are the following:
- Tight braiding for girls. The bottom line is that parasites easily move along long strands, so touching should be excluded.
- Regular washing to make your hair shiny and silky. The goal is pursued not aesthetic, but practical: it is more difficult for lice to hold on to smooth, slippery curls, to catch on.
- Treatment of an individual comb with a solution with the addition of two or three drops of essential oil of tea tree, eucalyptus, mint, lavender, anise or vetiver. First, you should make sure that there is no allergy to the odorous substance.
It is imperative to conduct preventive conversations with the child. The kid should understand why it is impossible to use other people’s clothes, bedding, combs, change hats, etc. An older child should be explained that it is not at all a shame to become infected with head lice, but it is better to avoid this trouble.
Lice prophylaxis in children is only effective if done regularly and not on a case-by-case basis. By taking reasonable precautions, you can protect your baby and prevent infection.