Logical Life

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

_x000D_ 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

_x000D_ 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

_x000D_ 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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School is almost out and the long and fun summer days are upon us! We love to spend a lot of time playing and splashing under the sun! Whether your kids are at the beach or running through a sprinkler in your backyard, it's important to understand the basics of sun protection for your family. We know that we can keep little ones safe from both UVA and UVB rays with sunscreen, but how do we choose the right one? There are so many options out there, yet it is clear that not all sunscreens are created equal. What should we be looking for as we scan the label for information? How often do we need to reapply? Should we look for water resistance too? We want to help take the guess work out of the equation and answer all of your questions, and provide you with our summer sun safety tips for babies and kids of all ages.

1. Choose the right sunscreen.

First, look for the words, "broad spectrum" on the label. Broad spectrum sunscreens protect against both types of harmful ultraviolet radiation: UVA and UVB. UVB rays will usually burn the top layers of the skin, resulting in redness, peeling, and blistering. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin, causing premature aging, wrinkles, and suppression of the immune system. Both play a role in the development of skin cancer. Make sure the sunscreen you are choosing is at least water resistant (for swimming and sweat) with an SPF of 30 or higher. At SPF 15, you are blocking 93% of UVB radiation. At SPF 30, you're blocking 97%. The theory that many dermatologists stand by is that any SPF higher than 30 is a waste. However, a majority of people do not apply nearly as much sunscreen as they should, which is why you see SPF 50 or 80. Even though a sunscreen may have a higher SPF, it is not always more effective, especially if it wears off faster.

2. Should you choose Chemical Sunscreen or Physical Sunscreen? And what is the difference?

A chemical sunscreen absorbs into the skin and typically contains many artificial ingredients that are actually absorbed into the bloodstream. Retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, and nanoparticles from zinc and titanium oxide all able to be absorbed by the skin. A physical sunscreen is much safer and actually sits on top of the skin to form a physical barrier to block the sun's rays. Look for one with 20% "non nano" zinc oxide which will not be absorbed into the bloodstream. Non nano means the particles will be too large to absorb into the skin.

3. Apply sunscreen generously and carefully.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology most adults do not apply enough sunscreen, so consider that fact when applying sunscreen to your little one. Look at your child's hands and estimate how much sunscreen they could hold with one hand cupped. That's generally how much it would take to cover their entire body, plus some extra for more exposed areas. Rub the sunscreen into the skin evenly and thoroughly. Apply before you let your children play outside, and make sure to not miss any spots such as the back of the neck and feet.

4. Reapply frequently.

Reapply your child's sunscreen every two hours and more frequently if your child is playing in water or is very active and sweating. Remember that "water resistant" does not have the same meaning as "waterproof". Water resistant means that the sunscreen will resist the penetration of water to some degree, but is not impervious to it. It won't wash away instantly like sunscreen without water resistance, but it will slowly wear off the skin over time. Better to apply too often than not often enough.

5. Time your outings.

Another great way to protect your little ones from the sun, especially if your children are quite fair-skinned, is to limit your outdoor adventures in high sun. The sun is at its strongest from 11 am to 4 pm. Since those hours occupy most of the day, it's best to break up you child's time in the sun with rest periods indoors or under the shade of a tree or umbrella. 

6. Layer your child's sun protection.

Combine the protection of a broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen for kids with sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, a beach cover-up, or a light, breathable T-shirt, for extra protection while your little one plays in the sun. Sunglasses are especially important for your children since UVA rays cause vision loss and UVB rays cause cataracts over time. There are numerous sunscreen options made specifically for kids, but we feel better about using a physical sunscreen without harmful chemicals that is non nano and also paraben, paba, and phthalate free. TotLogic Sunscreen is hypoallergenic for sensitive skin, water resistant for up to 80 minutes, and has 20% non nano zinc oxide as its active ingredient. It is also infused with soothing extracts of arnica, white tea, chamomile, and lavender along with nourishing hyaluronic acid, aloe, and jojoba to help keep delicate skin hydrated. TotLogic Sunscreen is perfect for adults too! For more tips and ideas for a happy green home, visit logicproducts.com and read our blog Logical Life.

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