Easiest Way to Contract Head Lice

While head lice are not contagious, they are extremely irritating and can cause a child to scratch excessively. This itching can break the skin of the scalp and can lead to infections. It is therefore important to get your child treated as quickly as possible. Treatments can be done with medicated products. However, you should always consult with a doctor first.

The easiest way to contract head lice is to come in contact with a person infected with head lice. Head lice are spread by head-to-head contact, but they can also be spread through clothing or personal items. Keeping your hair clean will not help prevent the spread of head lice; however, you can reduce the chance of contracting the infection by following these tips.

The best prevention for head lice is to avoid sharing personal items and to treat anyone in your household who has been in contact with a person infected with lice. Ideally, head-to-head contact is not recommended, so keep hats, stuffed animals, and other items away from your child. It is also recommended to wash all personal items thoroughly and put them in the dryer on the hot cycle. To kill head lice, you can also soak your child’s hairbrush in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes.

If your child is diagnosed with head lice, he or she should stay home from school until the end of the day, then be taken home for treatment. Avoid head-to-head contact with the child infected with head lice. Also, long hair should be kept up in a bun, braid, or ponytail.