How to Prevent Head Lice

Step 1 - Inspect for Head Lice
The first step in preventing the spread of lice is to make sure there are no lice already on your child's head. If lice are already present in the hair, then no lice prevention plan will work. Lice generally choose to live in the hair behind the ears and at the nape of the neck, about a 1/4 inch from the scalp. Look for lice and lice eggs (nits) in these areas first. The adult louse is about the size of a sesame seed, has 6 legs (each with claws), and is tan to grayish-white. You might need a magnifying glass to see smaller lice.

Another way to detect head lice is by using the Robi Comb. The Robi Comb is a small comb with metal teeth, powered by a single AA battery. As the comb slides through a child's hair, it makes a soft humming sound until it finds a louse. At that time, the sound stops and a small electrical charge zaps the louse. This is an easy and fast way to detect lice on dry hair. Find out more about the Robi Comb.

Step 2 - Protect your Child's Hair
Use of LiceGuard Lice Repellent Spray helps protect your child from head lice by preventing the transfer of lice from other infested children. Sprayed and combed through a child's hair once in the morning, the repellent works all day. Its patented, water-based formula is a mixture of non-toxic substances which are safe for daily use and cause no irritation to the skin or eyes.

In clinical and laboratory studies conducted in England, France, Israel and the United States, LiceGuard Lice Repellent Spray was shown to provide up to 96% protection from the spread of head lice. The doctors and scientists conducting the studies confirm the results prove that daily use of LiceGuard Head Lice Repellent Spray helps prevent the transfer of head lice from one child to another.

Many children come in contact with lice by sharing hair brushes, hats or bike / batting helmets with other children who already have lice. LiceGuard Lice Repellent Spray protects against the transfer of Lice from other children, hats, coats, helmets, etc. as well.

Step 3 - Remove Head Lice from the Home
If lice are found or suspected, adults should also do a careful cleaning of all items in the home. Hats, coats, scarves and bed linens should be machine washed in hot water and dried in the hot cycle for 20 minutes or more. Articles which are not washable should be dry-cleaned and placed in a sealed plastic bag for about two weeks. Brushes and combs should be disinfected by soaking in very hot water. Thorough vacuuming a child's room and play areas is also suggested.

Lice need to feed a number of times a day, so they cannot live for more than a day or two away from a human host. Taking the above suggested steps will help end the possibility of re-infestation, caused by lice located on a household item, waiting to "hitch a ride" on another head.