Five "Super Lice" Warnings for Katy Parents

It's super resistant, super common, and super hard to see! YUCK! Here are five things Katy parents need to know about the "Super Lice" epidemic.

KATY MAGAZINE | April 2018

Ashley Lancaster and Katrina Katsarelis

Hey Katy parents: Lice is everywhere, but don't despair. You are not to blame and just know that you will eventually be rid of this nasty childhood condition. According to the latest research the tiny blood-sucking parasites are becoming increasingly resistant to traditional methods of treatment which is why they seem to be rampant right now. Here is some helpful information about kids and lice you should know.

1. THEY CAN BE REALLY HARD TO FIND

Studies show that most kids have lice about 4 to 6 weeks before it's discovered which is why it gets a good foothold. Lice is spread by head-to-head contact with someone who already has them, and with kiddos, that's easily done with hats, hair ties, pillows, blankets, etc. Young children typically get lice because they are in close contact with each other during childcare, play dates, slumber parties, sports, camps, etc. Girls get lice more often than boys because they generally have longer hair and fewer haircuts than shorter haired boys.

2. NITS ARE NOT LICE AND YOU HAVE TO GET RID OF BOTH

Lice eggs (called nits). These look like tiny yellow, tan, or brown dots before they hatch. Lice lay nits on hair shafts close to the scalp, where the temperature is perfect for keeping warm until they hatch. Nits look sort of like dandruff, only they can't be removed by brushing or shaking them off. There are many home remedies but it takes a great deal of diligence to get rid of this type of lice because of their resistance to current methods. Just one nit left in the hair after treating the lice starts the process all over again. Ugh!

3. CHECK OFTEN AND KNOW WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE

Check your child's hair regularly and know what you're looking for. It can be very hard to detect which is why it takes so long to discover. Here is a helpful diagrams on what it looks like on dark and light hair. It can sometimes be harder to see in light hair so be diligent!

4. KNOW HOW TO AVOID IT

If your child is in childcare or close quarters with other children on a regular basis, chances are you might get a lice outbreak, no matter how hard you try to avoid one. Some parents have multiple lice outbreaks to the point where they have to go to lice centers to get rid of it once and for all.

Teach kids never to share hats, hair ties, etc.

Tie up loose hair in braids or ponytails.
Try mixing peppermint and tea tree oil together, and sprinkling it on their scalp to prevent lice from making their home.

IMPORTANT: If there is an outbreak, WASH EVERYTHING that comes in contact with yours or your child's head at home. Pillow cases, sheets, sports helmets, etc. Soak in very hot water and soap, and wash clean. Vacuum all upholstered surfaces like couches, carpets, car seats, and place plush toys in plastic bags for two weeks to suffocate nits.

5. SOMETIMES PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT IS BEST

According to lice treatment centers, the problem is that the over-the-counter shampoos have used the same few chemicals since they came on the market in the mid-1980s. They worked well at first, but over time, the lice developed widespread resistance to them. Some parents try over the counter treatments first while others just head right to the lice centers.

Here are the closest ones to Katy.

The Lice Place 21830 Kinglsand Blvd. 281-578-5423

Lice Clinics of America

14745 Memorial Dr., Houston 832-900-7392

Lice Treatment Service of Fort Bend

301 9th St., Richmond 281-750-6005

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