It can be extremely frustrating for parents when their child keeps getting head lice. Lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp and feed on blood. They are highly contagious and spread quickly through close head-to-head contact. Getting repeated head lice infections is common, but there are ways to help prevent re-infestation.
How do kids get head lice in the first place?
There are a few ways children can get head lice:
- From direct head-to-head contact with someone who has lice. This is the most common way lice spread.
- Sharing personal items like hats, combs, brushes, helmets, hair accessories, towels, and bedding with someone who has lice.
- Lying on carpets, furniture, pillows, etc. that have lice or lice eggs on them.
- Lice can also spread indirectly via coats/scarves hanging close together or kids putting heads together during play at school and daycare.
Head lice often get passed around groups of young children who regularly have close physical contact and share personal belongings. Daycares, schools, sports teams, camps, and sleepovers are prime locations for lice transmission.
Why does my child keep getting re-infested?
There are a few main reasons why some children are prone to repeated lice infestations:
Incomplete removal of all live lice
If even a few live lice are left after treatment, they can lay new eggs and the cycle starts again. Lice are adept at clinging to hair strands and avoiding detection. It can be difficult to fully remove every last louse, nymph, and nit (egg).
Not using an effective lice treatment method
Some over-the-counter lice products are not very effective at killing all the lice. Other treatment methods like covering hair in mayonnaise or vinegar do not work well. Using a proven, pesticide-based pediculicide according to directions is important.
Failing to treat re-infestation promptly
If lice return and are not retreated right away, they can spread quickly again. Frequent screening and early re-treatment is key to getting an infestation under control before it can spread further.
Not checking/treating family members
When one family member has lice, often others do too. All household members should be checked and treated if needed to prevent back-and-forth transmission.
Not cleaning personal items and environment
Lice and eggs (nits) can survive for a time on combs, brushes, bedding, clothes, car seats, etc. Thorough cleaning of personal items and environment is required, along with hot wash/dry of laundry.
Tips for preventing repeated lice problems
Here are some tips that can help avoid cycle of repeated lice infections:
Use an effective pediculicide exactly as directed
Start by ensuring the lice treatment product you choose is a proven, pesticide-based pediculicide. Follow application and comb-out instructions precisely.
Remove all traces of lice and eggs
Carefully comb out lice and eggs with a fine-tooth lice comb after treatment. Pick out remaining nits and keep combing every 2-3 days for 2 weeks to catch any newly hatched lice.
Check and retreat in 10 days
Lice treatment products do not kill 100% of eggs. Check for any live lice 10 days after initial treatment and retreat if needed to kill newly hatched lice.
Treat all household members
Check everyone in the household and treat those with active infections at the same time to prevent reinfestation.
Clean personal items, bedding, and environment
Wash or dry-clean all clothing, bedding, and fabric items your child has contact with. Soak combs, brushes, hair accessories for 1 hour in rubbing alcohol or pediculicide. Vacuum and clean furniture, car seats, etc.
Avoid shared personal items
Prevent lice spread by not sharing clothing, hair accessories, helmets, hats, towels, and other personal items.
Screen frequently
Check your child’s head for lice regularly so any re-infestation can be caught and treated early before lice spread again.
When to seek medical treatment
See your doctor if:
- Over-the-counter lice treatments do not seem to be working
- Infestation persists or keeps returning
- Scalp becomes infected from excessive itching and scratching
A doctor can prescribe stronger medicated lice treatment products that may be more effective for severe cases.
Lice treatment products
Here are some of the most effective lice treatment products:
| Product | Active Ingredient | How it Works |
|---|---|---|
| Nix/Rid | Permethrin | Pesticide that kills live lice |
| Natroba | Spinosad | Pesticide derived from bacteria |
| Sklice | Ivermectin | Pesticide that paralyzes and kills lice |
| Ovide | Malathion | Organophosphate pesticide |
Prevention tips for parents
Here are some lice prevention tips parents can follow:
Screen children’s hair weekly
Make lice checks part of your regular hair washing routine.
Keep long hair pulled back
Braid hair or use hair ties to keep it off shoulders and contained.
Avoid shared headgear and accessories
No sharing hats, hair ties, clips, helmets, headphones, etc.
Teach children not to share brushes
Each child should have their own comb, brush, etc. and store it separately.
Limit head-to-head contact
No leaning heads together for selfies, group photos, or playtime with other kids.
Be vigilant after sleepovers, camp, sports
Carefully check your child’s head after activities where close head contact may have occurred.
Know signs of lice
Look for nits (eggs) near scalp, itchy head, red bite marks on scalp and neck.
Dealing with lice long-term
While frustrating, repeated head lice infections can be managed with diligence. It may take time to fully get an infestation under control in a household. Stick to a thorough lice treatment regimen and strict prevention measures. Teach children not to share items that contact hair or heads. doing regular checks and being vigilant about retreatments is key. With concerted effort over time, the cycle of repeat infections can be broken.
Conclusion
Getting head lice is common in young children but recurring lice infections do not have to be inevitable. Use effective pediculicide treatments on all family members simultaneously. Eliminate all traces of lice and nits by combing diligently after treatment. Check again 10 days later and retreat if needed to kill newly hatched lice. Clean personal items and environment thoroughly. Avoid shared headgear, accessories, helmets, and brushes. Screen your child’s head frequently so any re-infestations can be caught and treated early before lice spread again. Staying vigilant with thorough head checks, prompt treatment, combing, and household cleaning can help prevent repeat lice infestations.