How to Protect Against Head Lice

The Center for Disease Control has reported that every year millions of youths between the ages of 3 and 11 become infested with head lice. Head lice infestation is commonly found in schools or childcare centers because these are places where children come in close contact with each other. These annoying parasites can bring on a bacterial infection when persistent scratching due to itching occurs. Protect yourself from lice infestation if you think head lice could become a problem for you.

Instructions

• 1

  Speak to children about the importance of not getting too close to children that may be infested with head lice. Head lice do not leap or fly their way onto the heads of others, but they do crawl very well, and head lice will crawl onto another child's head if that child's head is close by. If you yourself are concerned about getting head lice, keep your head a good distance away from children who may have head lice. Wear your hair in a ponytail, or wear your hair up to keep it from swinging into head lice territory.

• 2

  Tell children they should not let other children wear their clothing. Explain that wearing another child's headgear or another person's scarf could lead to head lice infestation. Also explain that they should not use another child's towel, comb or brush as head lice could have migrated onto these items.

• 3

  Immerse any brushes or combs that were used by a person with head lice in 130 degree Fahrenheit water and then soak for at least ten minutes to kill any head lice that may be on these items.

• 4

  Strip all beds of sheets and pillowcases that may have head lice on them. Wash those sheets in 130 degree Fahrenheit water and dry them in the dryer using a hot cycle.

• 5

  Avoid contact with beds, couches, pillows or carpeting you suspect may be infested with head lice. Also avoid contact with stuffed toys that may be harboring head lice. To rid couches and carpeting of head lice, vacuum them thoroughly.

• 6

  Put all cloth items that cannot be washed in a plastic bag and keep the bag sealed tight for 14 days to kill any head lice that were transferred to these items. Dry-clean these items, if you prefer.