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October 31, 2007 We are beginning to see cases of lice in a few students. The ones I have seen are in grades 1, 2 and 3. This is a good time for a few reminders about lice…according to an article in yesterday’s Houston Chronicle, we are getting into the time of the year with cooler weather when we tend to huddle together more and wear, and perhaps share, more clothing, both of which provide more opportunities to share critters. So, take the time to be proactive with your children. Check their hair weekly under a bright light or outside in the sun for anything that should not be there. Check more frequently if they are itchy or if you hear of a case among their friends or classmates. Look from different angles, a section of hair at a time. If you do not know what to look for, go to www.headlice.org for pictures of both lice and their eggs. You may not see lice, as they are fast moving bugs. You may instead see eggs attached to your child’s hair. Something has put them there, so eggs are a sign of lice infestation. I caution you not to overlook the signs. The longer you take to deal with this, the bigger the job you will have.
Treating a lice infestation takes time and patience. Call me if you feel like crying...it can be overwhelming. There are many products on the market…read product literature carefully, consider the chemicals in each product. Commercial products contain pesticides…that’s what kills the bugs. Do not OVEREXPOSE your child to pesticides. Know that there are some “natural” products and methods available. Also know that no product is 100% effective…there is NO magic bullet no matter how much you pay for a product. This is a time-consuming, labor-intensive process, so take a deep breath, and maybe get some good videos for your child to watch as you go through their hair. Remember, that the key to getting rids of lice is to keep the hair clear of eggs. Then, after treating your child, you must clean your home, clothing, bed linens and towels, furniture, carpets, and car…anywhere lice may hide. Try to involve your entire family in this process…it’s too much for you to do alone.
Again I urge you to take a look at www.headlice.org This is a very informative website, backed by research, aware of health concerns caused by some treatments, and with many good suggestions and alternatives.

Please remember that your child did not invite the little critters to take up residence in their hair, but your child can take some responsibility to protect themselves from future contact. So, help them learn how to protect themselves from lice.
Girls with longer hair are safest when their hair is worn close to their heads, which means: ponytails, braids, pig tails, etc. EVERYDAY!
NO SHARING anything that has contact with hair: hats, scarves, head-bands, combs, brushes, hairclips, hooded jackets, helmets (batting, football, bicycle), etc.
Sleepovers: have your child bring their own pillows and blankets.
Check family members weekly.
Let the school nurse know if your child has lice. This helps me find contacts who may be in school. I’m a good secret keeper and will not tell others.