How to Prevent Head Lice Infestation

An itchy scalp that leads to constant scratching may indicate that a person has head lice. Head lice are tiny, six-legged parasites that live on people's heads and feed on their blood. According to "Head Lice" by Elaine Landau, 6 million to 12 million people a year in the United States have head lice, most commonly in children from 3- to 11-years-old. Lice can spread among humans through close physical contact. To protect yourself or your children from acquiring lice, take simple measures to prevent initial or recurring infestations.

Things You'll Need

• Coconut oil-based shampoo
• Vacuum
• Plastic, sealed bags

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Instructions

Preventing Initial Outbreaks

• 1

  Avoid head-to-head contact with another person who may be infected with lice. During play, sports or school, children often brush their heads together and should limit this form of contact.

• 2

  Brush your hair with your own brush or comb. Do not let someone use your brush and do not use another person's brush.

• 3

  Sleep on your own pillow and do not share your pillow with another person. Children attending sleepovers should have their own pillows and sleeping bags.

• 4

  Wear your own scarves, helmets, hats and hair accessories and do not share them with others or wear accessories that are not your own.

• 5

  Shampoo your hair regularly with a coconut oil-based shampoo. Coconut oil contains dodecyl alcohol, which can kill adult lice.

Preventing Recurring Infestations

• 6

  Machine wash your clothes, towels and bed linens in hot water and dry them on high heat to kill any lice that may cling to them.

• 7

  Wash your brushes and combs with soap and hot water.

• 8

  Vacuum your carpet and couches and place children's stuffed animals in sealed, plastic bags for two weeks to kill any lice on them.