kids sitting on couch during holidays

Everything You Need to Know About Head Lice and the Holidays

Head lice are pretty common over the holidays. Your kids are in contact with a lot of people they don’t usually see such as cousins and extended family. With the extra parties and festivities – all within close quarters – it’s the perfect recipe for head lice. 

Not to mention, there’s usually a lot of hugging and cuddling with grandparents, aunts and uncles during holiday get-togethers, giving head lice a direct route onto a new host. But does this mean that you should cancel the holidays? Definitely not!

In the midst of a pandemic, we’re finally getting back to normal. Time with family will be priceless this year! But, you should still take a few extra precautions to prevent lice from getting into your home. The last thing you want to hear when your child returns to school in January is that they have lice.

Here are our best tips for keeping your family lice-free over the holiday season. 

Avoid Head-to-Head Contact 

The majority of head lice cases come from direct contact with an infected person. While you may not be able to avoid this entirely (grandparents love their cuddles, after all), you can limit close contact. In fact, it might be easier with the pandemic. Encourage your kids to give handshakes and high fives instead of hugs. 

But it’s not just the initial greetings that can spread lice. Kids are known for wrestling, taking selfies and curling up on the couch together. When your child is off playing with their cousins, remind them not to put their heads together. (Of course, they’re kids, so you’ll need to take a few extra precautions!)

Pick a Festive Updo 

If your child has long hair, give them a festive updo. Braids, buns and ponytails make it harder for lice to get into the hair. Because long hair is flowy, it’s easier for a louse to crawl onto a strand of hair and onto the child’s scalp. 

Fortunately, there are plenty of cute updos for the holidays. Plus, most kids like having their hair out of their face when they’re running around and playing with other children. Check out some of the best hairstyles to prevent head lice

Use a Head Lice Repellent 

A quick spritz of a lice repellent spray will provide your child with extra protection. We recommend My Mint Spray from My Hair Helpers. Made from all-natural ingredients, this spray has a refreshing peppermint smell. A few sprays will deter head lice from your child’s head – and it’s safe to use daily! 

Be Mindful When Staying Over 

If you are staying over at your family’s home, or vice versa, make sure that everyone has their own personal items. Avoid sharing hair brushes, hair accessories, etc. Although it’s rare for lice to spread this way, it can still happen. When you or your guests leave, wash all bedding and linens in hot water to kill germs and potential lice. 

Check for Lice Weekly

And as always, check for lice once a week. After your child’s bath or shower, comb through their hair with a lice comb and look for signs of lice. Head lice like dark, moist places and can often be found closest to the scalp, behind the ears and along the neckline. Nits (lice eggs) are usually found attached to the hair about ½ inch from the scalp. 

If someone in the family does turn up with head lice, don’t panic! My Hair Helpers offers a full line of head lice removal products that include a nit comb, lice removal oil, lice repellent spray and shampoo and conditioner. Or schedule an appointment at our head lice salon and we’ll take care of things for you! 

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FAQ's

WHAT ARE HEAD LICE?

Head lice are tiny six-legged insects that are blood-sucking parasites. They live on the scalp of humans. Head lice are the little and wingless insects with a size of sesame seeds that make their home on the human head and spread diseases by sucking the blood from the scalp. Infections and diseases caused by head lice are generally faced by on-going school students and their family members as the head of students come in contact with the head of other students. Contact My Hair Helpers to guaranteed head lice removal services. We are professional head lice removal experts known for our best service and customer support.

WHERE DO HEAD LICE COME FROM?

The evidence for head lice goes back many centuries. Lice was named as the third plague in the Old Testament of the Bible. The shell casings for lice have been found on Egyptian mummies. Live Lice on the head and their eggs can be killed by opting for different lice treatments that are available in different forms such as lotions, shampoos, and creams and these can be used at home without any hassle. It is necessary for the women who are pregnant or breastfeed their babies to take suggestions from a renowned doctor about the risk-free products.

HOW DO WE GET LICE?

In the majority of cases, head lice is passed with head to head contact. A smaller number of cases are passed through brushes and combs and sharing hats. Lice don’t like to leave their food supply unless a warm head is waiting for them.

DOES GETTING HEAD LICE MEAN I’M DIRTY?

Head lice actually prefer clean hair! It’s more difficult for them to lay eggs on greasy or dirty hair.