A head lice outbreak in your family is the last thing you want to worry about – especially during spring break. But, there are times of the year when head lice are more common, and spring break is one of them. Kids spend more time interacting with friends, cousins and siblings during this time, raising the risk for lice outbreaks. Additionally, many families travel over spring break, exposing kids to countless other children at hotels, parks, swimming pools and more.
So, does this mean that you should stay home over spring break? Of course not! You should enjoy this time with your family. Thankfully, we have some practical tips that will help prevent head lice outbreaks over spring break.
Head Lice Outbreaks Spike in Warmer Weather
Lice infestations appear to get worse during warmer months for a couple of reasons. First, the warmer temperatures allow lice to breed and thrive. Second, the warm weather draws people out of their homes for playdates, get-togethers, parks and more. Additionally, some kids are active in spring sports like baseball and soccer.
Vacations are also more common in spring and summer, and being in close contact with others on the plane, in hotels and at amusement parks can raise the chances for lice to spread. Lice certainly do not die in cold weather and can thrive perfectly well in lower temperatures, but we continue to see spikes in head lice cases the more people are out.
Keep an Eye on Symptoms
The first few weeks after spring break is usually when signs of head lice will show up. Here are the main symptoms to keep an eye out for:
- Itching on the scalp or neck
- Sensation of something crawling in the hair
- Trouble sleeping from scratching
- Open sores from itching
If you believe your child has lice, take them to a professional head lice expert or pediatrician for confirmation. Or, you can verify the presence of lice by combing through your child’s hair and looking for lice and nits. If your child has lice, begin treatment right away – lice do not go away on their own.
Practical Ways to Stay Lice Free Over Spring Break
To protect you and your family from head lice, here are some easy tips to follow:
- Avoid head-to-head contact during play and other activities, including playgrounds and play centers
- Do not allow your children to share sports helmets, brushes, hair clips, etc. with others
- Do not share bath towels or beach towels – make sure everyone has their own
- Keep your child’s hair pulled back in a ponytail or braid
- Use a lice repellent spray on your child’s hair each day
- Wear a swim cap while swimming
If head lice does happen to come to your home, don’t panic. My Hair Helpers has an in-salon and mobile lice removal service for Southern California. We also sell all of our products on Amazon. They are made from 100% all natural ingredients, highly effective and guaranteed to work. Try us out today!
