Head lice can happen to anyone who has hair on their head – including babies. Even though many babies appear to be bald, they may still have enough hair on their head to get lice. Only those who are completely bald are safe from lice, as lice can lay eggs on a ¼” of hair. Knowing this, it’s important to follow the same precautions for your infant as you would for an older child in the home.
How Can I Tell if My Baby Has Lice?
Head lice are tiny, wingless insects that live in the hair. They can be white, dark gray or brown and are most often found in the hair at the back of the neck or behind the ears. Nits (lice eggs) are even smaller. Because they are sticky, they can be difficult to remove.
Babies can get lice after being exposed, so you’ll want to check your infant if an older sibling has it or if there is an outbreak at daycare. If you’re not comfortable checking your child for lice, you can take them to their pediatrician or to a professional nitpicker like My Hair Helpers. We serve all ages!
Other signs to be aware of are:
- Head scratching
- Irritation or sores on the head
- Crying and irritability
- Trouble sleeping at night
How Did My Infant Get Lice?
Many parents are shocked to learn their baby has lice, but it can happen easier than you think! Babies usually get lice from older siblings or playmates from daycare. Lice cannot fly, swim or jump but they can crawl very quickly from head to head. Although rare, it is possible for babies to get lice from hats, pillows, blankets or stuffed animals that are infested.
Should I Worry if My Baby Has Head Lice?
Head lice carry a bad reputation, but they are not something to lose sleep over. Head lice do not carry bacteria or transmit disease. That said, they are contagious and a nuisance. You’ll want to get rid of them right away before the infestation gets worse or spreads to others.
What Types of Treatment Work Best for Baby Head Lice?
We do not advise using chemical treatments, especially on babies. They have delicate skin and can have adverse reactions to the harsh ingredients. Plus, there’s no reason to use toxic chemicals when there are safer, more effective treatments available.
My Hair Helpers offers a full line of proprietary products that are non-toxic and safe for children of all ages. However, we generally recommend wet combing as the first course of treatment in infants. You can comb through your baby’s hair after their bath using this stainless steel lice removal comb that gets close to the scalp.
If this doesn’t stop the infestation, you can use a small amount of our products to get rid of the lice. Or, talk to your child’s doctor about the best treatment option, particularly if your child has sensitive skin or allergies.
Can I Prevent Head Lice in My Home?
Lice are not 100% preventable, but there are things you can do to minimize your baby’s risk. If you learn of a lice outbreak at your child’s daycare center, wet comb their hair every day after their bath. This will help you spot and remove lice as they turn up.
If you have older children in the home, be sure to follow the same routine. Comb through their hair weekly, unless there is an outbreak at school. If someone in the home gets lice, start treatment right away, but only on those who have lice. Misusing products can make them ineffective when you need them.
Finally, teach your children healthy habits like not sharing personal items, not touching heads with others and using a mint repellent spray during times of outbreaks.
My Hair Helpers offers safe, all-natural products for the whole family! Purchase one of our head lice treatment kits on Amazon and get your whole family lice free forever. If you reside in Southern California, you can take advantage of our salon or at-home services as well.
