There is a stigma associated with head lice. It’s unfortunate, really, because lice are extremely common, highly contagious and difficult to prevent. Cases of head lice are found worldwide and are most common among preschoolers and school-aged students. Between 6 and 12 million people get head lice each year, most of them children. Sadly, some children are deeply embarrassed by head lice and don’t want to return to school.
My Hair Helpers has been working with families for over 10 years to properly diagnose and treat head lice in children and adults. A part of our services is providing education to families so that they know that lice infestations are not their fault. If you haven’t visited us yet, we’ve included some information below to help your child deal with their embarrassment related to head lice.
Get Educated
First and foremost, get educated. A lot of the stigma comes from misinformation spread by teachers, other kids and other parents. Fortunately, you don’t need to travel to the library to get accurate information. You can find a great deal of information online as well as on the resources page at MyHairHelpers.com. You can learn a lot about what lice are, how they are spread and what you can do to get rid of them.
As contagious as lice are, they are treatable, so your child does not have to be embarrassed for long. And, let’s put this to rest once and for all: lice do NOT prefer dirty hair. Lice like all types of hair – especially clean hair!
Share this Information with Your Child
As you educate yourself on head lice, share the information with your child to put them at ease. You only need to give enough information that is appropriate for the age. A preschooler might not think much about having lice, but an older child will. If your child has questions, answer them with factual information. Remember, lice can happen to anyone and has nothing to do with being clean or dirty. It is also treatable.
Empathize with Your Child
Even though head lice cases are common, it’s never fun for the families involved. Empathize with your child and let them know that you understand their feelings. Some children get anxiety because they think they will have to cut off their hair. If you’ve had a past experience with lice, you can share your story as well.
Work with Teachers and Other Parents
Silence is not the best policy in this case. So many people try to hide the fact that they have lice, when really, it’s something that should be known to teachers and parents. This way, they can provide useful information to children and students, such as the signs and symptoms to look for and ways to prevent the spread of head lice. As long as head lice is recognized quickly, prompt treatment can be given.
Getting a case of head lice is never fun, but My Hair Helpers has your back! We can confirm the presence of head lice and provide a treatment usually on the same day of your call! We also offer school lice check visits as well as DIY products sold online. With our 30-day Guarantee and Lifetime Protection, embarrassment won’t be an issue for your child!
