School is out and if you think your family is safe from lice, think again. The season for lice is actually endless. Many people don't realize head lice is a year round problem!
When school is back in session the occurrence of lice infestation is high due to Summer camp lice outbreaks that have gone unnoticed and untreated. The nits (lice eggs) that hatch in September are usually from outbreaks that occurred during the summer, more often than not picked up at sleep away camp and day camp.
There is a chance that the minor discomfort of an itchy scalp may be chalked up to sun, sand, and dandruff, and may not bring lice to your attention until your child is suffering from a more serious infestation. It is also true that some kids have no symptoms whatsoever.
That is exactly what happened to my daughter. I had no idea there were double digits of live lice in her hair, until the day I decided to sit her down and check her for lice. It was clear from the number of lice I found that she had headlice for a while. As a result of that terrible experience, we now do a weekly hair and scalp lice check every Friday evening. We never want to end up in that horrifying and unexpected situation again and so far so good!
We also follow these 5 easy  tips for preventing lice below:
5 Tips for Preventing Lice
1. Lavender or Rosemary Shampoo
Your first line of defense against lice is creating an environment that is inhospitable for these pests. Contrary to popular belief, lice actually love a squeaky clean and fluffy head of hair. So Wash your child's hair with shampoos and conditioners that contain essential oils and natural plant based enzymes that repel lice such as Lavender, Rosemary and Mint. Tea Tree oil and Neem oil are also helpful but they can be very drying to the scalp and cause a lot of dandruff.
You can also use hair gels and hairsprays that will coat the hair to make it more difficult for lice to grab onto. While there is no guarantee that these products will prevent lice 100% of the time, they will place the odds highly in your child's favor.
2. No Sharing, Please
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You spend a lifetime teaching your children to share, but tell them the opposite when it comes to the topic of lice. Explain that sharing items such as hats, combs, hair accessories, towels, and even bike helmets and ear buds can potentially transfer lice from friend to friend. Also beware of the selfie craze where kids often put their heads together for a fun photo op._x000D_
3. Controlled Hair Styling
_x000D_ If you can bring yourself to do it, consider keeping your son’s hair short for the summer months. Not only will it be a cooler hairstyle for the warmer weather, the cut will offer less coverage for lice to hide and make a home._x000D_ _x000D_
Similarly, keep your daughter’s hair pulled back in a controlled bun, ponytail or braid with a touch of hair product to keep loose strands in place. This will keep hair off her neck in the heat and will make it easier for her to run and play while reducing her chances of bringing home lice. _x000D_ _x000D_ Spray entire head of hair with a lice repel spray._x000D_
4. Avoid Shared Storage Areas
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Shared coat racks, hat racks, lockers, and closets are grounds for lice exposure. Instruct your children to keep extra clothes, towels, blankets and pillows in a zippered gym bag or backpack when not in use. This strategy provides an added layer of defense and will keep their clothes and belongings lice free._x000D_
5. All Purpose Lice Repel Spray for Naptime or Sleepaway Camp
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If your child is a toddler in a summer program where they have a shared napping space, be sure to send him or her with their own pillowcase, blanket, and sheet that will be washed often. Spray the pillowcase with a natural and non toxic all purpose lice repel spray for fabric, in order to create an inhospitable environment for these arthropods._x000D_ _x000D_
Apply the same tactic for sleepaway camp for older children: Send your son or daughter packing with a preventative all purpose lice repel spray to repel lice from belongings and bedding. Make sure the spray is pesticide free and eco friendly. You may also want to pack a natural enzyme lice treatment kit too, in the event your child or the camp experiences a lice outbreak, as most camps will insist on using a harsh pesticide based OTC product since that is what is most readily available._x000D_ _x000D_
Should your child suffer from a lice outbreak, you can treat both their sensitive scalps and your home safely and naturally.  LiceLogic is lice expert approved, independently tested by the leading lice expert in the country, and enzyme based so it is safe for daily use and can be used as often as needed. Learn more about Logic Products here or visit us at Logical Life: The Green Lifestyle Magazine for Families.
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