- Dreading a lice outbreak at your children’s school or camp? Here are some important preventative tips to keep in mind.
It’s the email every Chicago parent dreads. You’re navigating the morning rush, trying to get the kids out the door to school, when the notification pops up: “A case of head lice has been reported in your child’s classroom.”
Immediately, your head starts itching and panic sets it.
If you just got "the email,” or you’re dreading receiving it, take a few deep breaths and take comfort in knowing that for many families this is a rite of passage, and not a reflection of your parenting or cleanliness.
Treatment can be swift and relatively painless, and know that you’re not alone in this experience.
When you’re not in the thick of this stressful experience, you can also take several preventative steps to protect your family. Keep these tips in mind throughout the year.
- The "Selfie" Rule: In the age of smartphones, kids love crowding together for photos. Teach your children to avoid head-to-head contact. Lice don’t jump or fly; they crawl from hair strand to hair strand
- Keep it Up and Contained: If your child has long hair, school days are braid days. High buns, ponytails, and braids drastically reduce the "surface area" available for a stray louse to grab onto.
- The Coat Hook Compromise: Chicago winter gear is a prime real estate market for lice. Teach your kids to tuck their hats and scarves directly into their own jacket sleeves rather than stuffing them into shared cubbies or piling them on top of classmates' coats.
- Natural Repellents: I used regularly a Peppermint infused shampoo for my children. It added up a layer of protection without having me do anything extra. Lice track their next home by scent. They happen to absolutely hate the smell of peppermint, rosemary, and tea tree oils. We made it a habit to spritz a natural mint leave-in spray on the kids' hair every single morning before school, and adding infused lice repellent hair ties.
- The Weekly Weekly Check: Don’t wait for an itchy scalp. Make a quick, two-minute check under a bright light part of your Sunday night routine. Catching a single stray bug early prevents a full-blown household outbreak.
While these tips can make a difference in prevention, if your family experiences a lice outbreak, don’t fret. Lice are a nuisance, absolutely—but with a little daily diligence, they don't have to rule your school year.
Helpful Resources
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Lice Guidelines
Hair Butterflies Lice and Nit Removal Clinic
Kelly Tare is a long-time Chicago Suburbs parent, NPN member, and the owner of Hair Butterflies Lice and Nit Removal, with locations in Oak Park, Lincoln Park , Oak Brook, and a House Call Center in Chicago. She specializes in helping local families navigate and eliminate lice safely, professionally, and stress-free in Clinics and sending traveling teams to homes.
Image credit: CDC