6 Steps to Take If Your Child Comes Home From School With Lice

Lice is one of the most dreaded things your child can bring home from school, and you may find yourself panicking, wondering if you need to disinfect the whole house, cover their head in mayonnaise, or even cut off all their hair. First, take a deep breath. Lice are manageable with the proper strategy, and these six essential steps will help you reduce contamination, stop them from spreading, and eliminate the pests as quickly as possible. Here are six steps to take if your child comes home from school with head lice.

1. Confirm Your Child Has Lice

Thoroughly examine their scalp, the nape of the neck, and around the ears. You may notice the actual lice or small white to yellow eggs. When you can confirm your child does, in fact, have lice, the next step is working to reduce their ability to spread or persist.

2. Remove and Clean All Bedding

If your child has slept in anyone else’s bed or on the couch, you’ll have to clean it ASAP with hot water that’s at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Leave them out to dry. It might not seem necessary, but it’s better to be proactive and not have it spread to everyone else in the household.

3. Get Medicated Lice Shampoo

Scrub your child’s head thoroughly with a medicated lice shampoo. Be sure to read the product’s instructions carefully, and contact your child’s pediatrician if they may have any sensitivities. If your child takes any medications or has allergies, get clearance from their doctor before using the shampoo.

4. Don’t Share Personal Items

Avoid accidentally sharing hats, using the same brush or comb, or putting children into the same car seat that the child with lice has used. Disinfect any area that your child has come in contact with. Remind them that this is only temporary until their lice are gone.

5. Consider a Lice Clinic

Lice clinics can get rid of lice in one visit. Be sure to go to a clinic that uses a safe, FDA-approved heat air device. Lice clinics are helpful because they can remove not only lice but also their eggs. At-home treatments may not always be able to completely remove the eggs, which causes the lice to persist.

6. Look Out for Symptoms

If you or other family members experience symptoms of lice, such as an itchy scalp, screen for lice right away. Repeat the same process of cleaning bedding, sterilizing the house, and using medicated shampoo as needed to ensure that the pests are completely eliminated from your home.

Should I See a Doctor for Lice?

If you have underlying medical conditions, allergies, or take prescription medication, ask your doctor what lice shampoo or lotion is best. You may also want to see a doctor if you experience side effects, like sores on the scalp, excessive redness, fever, or swollen lymph nodes.

If you do need to go in for an appointment, ask the doctor’s office about any precautions you’ll need to take to avoid infecting other patients or staff.

Your whole family may need to be treated as a precaution, but with swift action, you can be lice and stress-free soon.