There are a few habits you can teach your child that will help prevent lice:
- Encourage them not to borrow their classmates’ hats, scarves, combs, or anything that touches the head. For athletes: do not share helmets or towels.
- Keep their jackets and winter gear separate from other students (a different coat hook, or in their backpacks).
- Avoid head-to-head contact with classmates.
- Do not try on hats in department stores. It is possible for lice to be passed this way. If you buy a hat from a store, let it sit for at least two days before wearing it. Lice can only survive for 48 hours without a host. If you can’t wait, wash the hat in hot water.
In the end, kids will be kids, and if they get head lice it is definitely treatable! Confirm the presence of lice with your child’s pediatrician and they can recommend different medicated shampoos to use such as NIX Lice Killing Crème Rinse.
Catching lice early is what stops infestations. Regularly check your child’s scalp and if you discover lice, let the school know immediately. Wash all of their bedding and clothes in hot water and dry on high heat. Replace combs and brushes they might have used. To get rid of lice, typically a combination of medicated shampoo and combing out the hair is recommended.
If you think your child has head lice, bring them too Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care. We are a walk-in pediatric urgent care open seven days a week. We have 10 locations in San Antonio and one in Dallas. Our New Braunfels clinic, located at 312 FM 306, Suite 108, New Braunfels TX, 78130, will be open Monday, August 19th. For more information, please email us at info@littlespurs.com. We welcome walk-ins, accept most insurance plans and are proud to be accredited by the Urgent Care Association!
