The school calls, informing you to come and pick up your child – she has HEAD LICE. Head Lice can bring your life to a screeching, albeit momentary, halt. If you have never experienced these sesame seed sized, persistent creatures firsthand, you may be wondering. . .

• How it is that these pests can cause so much panic and disruption in my life?
• Is it really such a big deal? After all, they’re just bugs!
• How hard can it be to rid of this parasite?

Unfortunately, becoming lice free can be much more difficult than the first-timer can possibly imagine. But take heart, there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. Here are 5 tips, from the lice war trenches, to help you and your kids get through safely and effectively.

#1 Don’t Panic

Anyone with a predisposition to loathing bugs will involuntarily “freak out” at the thought of these six legged hitchhikers taking a free ride in your child’s head of hair. But it’s really okay. Outside of the gross factor, they are only bugs. Unlike mosquitoes, ticks, or the Kissing Bug, head lice have not been proven to cause any systemic diseases. Treatment is necessary, however, since ignoring the situation can leave your child at risk of bacterial infections as a result of persistent scratching.

#2 Contact Anyone Who May Also Be Infected with Lice

If your child has recently been on a sleepover with cousins or friends, a discreet call to their family would be kind and responsible. You don’t want to needlessly worry anyone, but giving them a heads-up, puts them on alert for a possible head lice invasion. Also, if you found the lice on your own, a call to your child’s school would be the next step.

#3 Treat Your Child’s Hair for Lice Safely

Once you get past the initial shock, it’s time to take action. A single female louse can lay up to 100 eggs, thereby expanding the infestation, and making your job more difficult. There are many different products on the market to wash away head lice so the question becomes. . .Which one do you choose? The majority of the products that you will find in stores contain permethrin, pyrethrin, or malathion. These ingredients are all pesticides and should not be taken lightly. You should look for an all natural shampoo online to treat the head lice.

#4 Clean House

This tip is not given to suggest that people who have lice live in unclean homes. The lice haven’t invaded because you skipped a day of dusting or failed to do last nights dirty dishes. They came in your house on a human head. Vacuuming floors and any areas where the child sits or lays will help ensure that the family will not be infested again. Bedding, clothing and toys (if stuffed) should be washed in hot water (130 degrees) and then dried on high. Any items that can not withstand the high temperature should be bagged up tightly for at least two weeks.

#5 Cover Lice Prevention Techniques With Your Child

Small children, generally between the ages of preschool and middle school, and their families and friends are most at risk of head lice. Gently reinforce to your child never to share hats, combs, brushes or hair accessories with any other child. This includes helmets and headphones. If your child is going on a sleepover, insist that he brings his own pillow and bedding.

Following these tips will help ensure that the infestation is eradicated, safely. You will feel as though you’se conquered the world, allowing life to go on after infestation.

Licenex – Get rid of head lice and nits with no harmful chemicals.