We recently came across this article from the New York Times, Parents, Relax. Don’t Keep Them From School. It’s Just Lice, to read the article click here.

Schools back in session and that means homework, new friends and unfortunately for some, pediculosis or as it’s commonly know . . . LICE. Although head lice are not known to spread disease, no parent can feel comfortable knowing that these parasites are feeding off the blood of your little one several times a day.

Here’s some good news, the little buggers can’t hop or fly like fleas and having head lice isn’t about personal hygiene or cleanliness. They spread through direct contact from the hair of an infected person as well as sharing clothing and personal items like combs, brushes and towels. Some more good news is that dogs, cats, and other pets do not play a role in the spread of human lice.

What medicine should you use?
There are 3 routes to take when choosing products, homeopathic, over-the-counter or a prescription. If you’re not sure which products you should use, ask our pharmacist. Regardless of which choice you make, it’s important to carefully follow all instructions for the product unless otherwise directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Treatment for Head Lice

1. Stop by Live Oak Pharmacy for all your head lice products.
2. Check all members of the household and any other close contacts.
3. Apply products as directed. It’s important to note that no approved lice product can completely kill all eggs. For best results retreat the scalp as directed.
4. Clothing and bedding worn should be machine washed and dried in hot water and hot air cycles respectively since the lice and eggs are killed after exposure for 5 minutes in temps greater than 128.3 degrees.
5. Vacuum furniture and floors to pick up any hairs remaining that may have eggs attached.

Lice isn’t fun but it’s also not been shown to spread disease. With some help from our pharmacist or your doctor and products that are right for you and your family, this nuisance will be a thing of the past!

This blog posting is for information only and is not meant for the purposes of self-diagnosis or as a substitute for a consultation with your health care provider. For questions about head lice or if you think that you have head lice, please consult a health care provider.