Headlice - The Nitty Gritty

Yes, I'm going to talk about Head lice ( cue dramatic cliff hanger music, and gasp for effect )
It baffles me that as long as there have been humans, there have been head lice and yet we are still so unwilling to discuss it. Like its dirty or something.
Well I'm going to clear a few things up, drop the stigma and squash some myths, because I'm not afraid to talk about anything, and I'm sure this will help many parents out.

Head lice have no prejudice to how clean your hair is. They couldn't give a monkeys. As long as you have a scalp to bite and suck from, and a hair shaft to cradle their eggs, they are happy. If you were told by your mother "Lice only like clean hair" I'm sorry to tell you that your mother was misinformed, and probably trying to make you feel better. Everyone has probably had head lice at one time or another, and they are no less common, and no less likely than a cold or flu.

The most likely to catch head lice are school age girls because they have long hair and tend to play closer to other children, making it more likely for lice to get on to their hair. Boys are less likely to catch them due to the fact their hair us usually short, and they're more likely to kick a ball, then cuddle their mates! Although, they can still pick them up, especially if they are budding wrestlers!

Common Myths
"Head lice can jump". No. Fleas can jump. Fleas aren't head lice. Head lice can only crawl, and can only be caught by direct contact.
"head lice only like dirty hair" Nope. They don't care. And it doesn't make it harder for the eggs to stick if your hair is greasy, it would have to be a literal oil slick to prevent this, and lets face it, if you're letting your kid out with hair like that, you have bigger issues that I'm not qualified to deal with...
"head lice only like clean hair" NO. Regular washing will help to wash out any lice, but will not get rid of any eggs.
"olive oil is best to get rid of lice"....not really, although Olive oil is good to smother the hair in, and then use a nit comb to get rid of lice and eggs, it will not kill the eggs. So if one is left in the hair, you will have another 10 in a week!

Best tips for getting rid of head lice.
Check your child every other day. Check well, and check behind the ears and at the nape, as this is the preferred place for egg laying.
If you spot any use something like "Hedrin once". Its a really thick oil that suffocates the lice and the egg by covering the breathing hole. Leave it on for 15 mins then use a nit comb to get as many of the little blighters out as possible! Don't worry, the nits are dead! Pesticides are more ineffective now, as lice are like roaches and have built up a resistance to them.
Check the entire family. If necessary, treat them with the lotion too. It doesn't take long and isn't smelly like it used to be, nor do you have to sleep with it in, so in my view, you may as well do the family as a matter of course.
Tell the school! Your child caught the lice from somewhere, so parents need to know to check their children!
Wash all bedding, hats and clean all brushes. Lice can live for up to 3 days off the scalp.
Don't let your child share brushes or hats or anything that touches the head, with other children.
Please check your child before any hair appointments, or warn us if your child has has Nits! Though if you are unsure wether they have a case of head lice, call your salon and ask they're advice. I personally, would be happy to help my clients diagnose a case, if it meant it wouldn't go untreated.
Above all, don't be ashamed. It says nothing of your social standing nor your hygiene if you, or your child has Nits. I mean, I'll bet good money the Queen's had them.... ( god I hope I don't get beheaded for saying that....)

Signing off now......my head is itching.....I'm sure its psychological ;-)