No! Not head lice! It’s every parent’s nightmare. Your child comes home from school with a note, and he or she will not be admitted to class until every trace of lice is gone. Now, you not only have to treat your child for head lice, you also have to treat your entire home!
Start by treating your child’s hair and scalp. You can use the tips offered in “The Dreaded Dilemma of Head Lice” article in the Health Blog. Check your other children, and all other family members carefully for lice and nits.
While your child’s hair is soaking in the treatment, begin stripping his or her bed. Also, wash your child’s coat, clothing, and bedding in hot water and dry for at least thirty minutes. It is a good idea to wash other family members’ coats, jackets, clothing, and bedding, even if they do not appear to be infested. It only takes one bug or one tiny nit to start the entire process all over again.
You will also need to vacuum your child’s bed and any rugs, carpets, curtains, or upholstered pieces that cannot be washed. Do the same throughout the rest of your home, and do not forget your car, especially where your child normally sits.
If your child has stuffed animals, pillows, or other items that cannot be washed, bag them up in trash bags or airtight plastic containers and seal them tightly. Keep them closed up for at least two weeks to make sure not only lice, but also nits, are dead.
To treat surfaces, you can mix equal parts vinegar and water in a clean spray bottle, and add a few drops of tea tree oil. Spray it in an unnoticeable area first, to make sure it won’t damage or stain fabrics or finishes, before applying it to entire surfaces.