Head lice are human parasites that feed on small amounts of blood from a human host. Lice have six small legs with claws on the tip that make them experts at attaching to hair strands and making their way around a head of hair.
Although it is always possible to catch head lice, even in the winter months, head lice do seem to spike during the warmest months of the year. But why? Most likely because children are spending more close time together. Summer camps, family trips, sports camps or any other activities that bring kids together can mean more head lice outbreaks.
Head lice also thrive in human climates. They prefer moist, damp environments which are usually around the base of the head where the neck meets the hairline. Summertime sweating can create a welcoming environment for head lice on anyone’s scalp.
Searches for head lice or head lice treatment are up about 25% in the summer months versus winter months. For this reason, it’s always a good idea, no matter what the weather is doing, to remember what to watch for!
-Talk to summer camps or sports camps about how they are dealing with possible head lice infestations. Often time, no one even thinks of the possibility before hosting a camp. Contact the counselor in charge and suggest possible head lice checks in the camp that could do a lot to prevent spreading. Lice Clinics of Texas offers head lice checks for local camps.
-Talk to your kids about not sharing pillows, blankets, hats, hairbrushes, or any other items with cousins, friends, or teammates that could give them head lice. The average person who has head lice has 10-15 adult lice on their scalp. Female head lice lay about 10 eggs per day. You can see how quickly the problem can escalate! Nits are often transferred from person to person from these personal items. When in doubt, machine wash items in hot water to ensure all nits or head lice are removed. Thoroughly vacuum and disinfect items or carpets as well to remove traces of nits or head lice.
-Make sure your children are protected by nitpicking through their hair and watching for signs of head lice. This means running a comb through their hair strands and watching for nits, rashes, or bite marks. The fecal matter from head lice can cause allergic reactions on the scalp. The rashes and irritation you are seeing is a result of that and the saliva from bite marks, as well.
-Stay vigilant as a parent. Some kids have trouble sleeping due to itchy scalp or the sensation of head lice crawling during the night, as they are more active during the night. Others might just start scratching incessantly. Sometimes it’s hard to catch head lice before it becomes a big problem. Keep a watchful eye for early signs.
-Contact Lice Clinics of Texas if you have any questions or concerns about head lice. We offer head lice checks to show you what symptoms to look for and how to nitpick properly. We also offer the latest, most effective head lice removal treatments available on the market.