Girlfriends

I’m proud to take part as a blogging ambassador with the CHPA (Consumer Healthcare Products Association) Educational Foundation and KnowYourOTCs.org. This is a Sponsored Post! While I Have Received Compensation From The CHPA Educational Foundation, All Opinions Are My Own. Thank You For Supporting CityGirlGoneMom.

When we were stationed in North Carolina, it wasn’t out of the norm to find me screaming on top of the kitchen table at the site of a palmetto bug, a.k.a “the roach.” These bugs love the southeast, all the way down to the Florida keys. Thats right, folks… while you’re seeking warmer climates and waters, those pesky bugs are doing the same. They are constantly looking for moisture, warmth and humans (like me!) to scare the living s*** out of.

I found these bugs so offensive, that of the many reasons I decided to move to Southern California – this took top of the list. Finally, a climate that doesn’t welcome mosquitos or the creepy roach. A place where windows can be open almost year round… “Indoor, Outdoor Living,” they call it. What a dream!

And just when I thought I was safe in my new non-bug haven, one of my kids started scratching at her head. “OH, HELL NO!!,” I screamed when I saw tiny crawlers in my child’s hair. Talk about a parental panic attack. I was so disturbed, I had to call for back up. That’s right! In most towns there’s who I like to call the “lice police” and they actually come to your home and take care of the matter. And all is fine and dandy until you find out how much they’re going to charge. This, my friends, is NOT cheap. Let’s just say that I can go to one of the best salons in town for a cut and full highlight for the same prices as our lice police friends. Almost worth it, but let’s be honest, I’d rather spend the money on that cut and highlight, I decided over-the-counter was the wiser choice.

Lice is considered most common among pre-school to elementary aged kids. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are about 6-12 million cases of head lice each year in this country. We all know, of course, that getting lice has nothing to do with cleanliness and should have no stigma attached to it, but let me tell you, it’s ridiculously gross even on the cleanest of kids.

Upside down picture Best friends

Basic Facts about Lice & What To Do After Your Freakout Session (our total nightmare as parents)

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics: Head lice are tiny insects, about the size of a sesame seed (2–3 mm long). Their bodies are usually pale and gray.  Head lice feed on tiny amounts of blood from the scalp and if they are not on a person’s scalp, they can usually only survive about a day. They lay their eggs close to the scalp. Head lice live about 28 days. They can multiply quickly, laying up to 10 eggs a day. It only takes about 12 days for newly hatched eggs to reach adulthood. This cycle can repeat itself every 3 weeks if head lice are left untreated. Lice is typically passed through close person-to-person contact –  making things like shared costumes, coats and hats, or sleepovers – easy ways for kids to contract lice from a friend.

Once you discover your child has lice, the next question is – How can I get rid of it? 

Treatment Tips:

The FDA has approved over-the-counter (OTC) lice products as safe and effective when used according to the Drug Facts label instructions.

In order to feel confident and sure of the OTC lice treatment products, parents need to know the ingredients. Those ingredients are Permethrin, most commonly found in the OTC product Nix or Piperonyl Butoxide and Pyrethrum Extract, most commonly found in Pronto or Rid.

Here are 10 safe use tips for parents from the American Academy of Pediatrics:

  • Follow the directions on the package exactly as written
  • Medicine should be applied by an adult, never the child
  • Do not use medicine on a child 2 years or younger without first checking with your child’s doctor.
  • Do not use or apply medicine to children if you are pregnant or breastfeeding without first checking with your doctor.
  • Always rinse the medicine off over a sink and not during a shower or bath, so the medicine doesn’t run off the head onto other areas of skin. Place your child’s head over a sink and rinse the medicine off with warm water (not hot water).
  • Never place a plastic bag on a child’s head.
  • Do not leave a child alone with medicine in his or her hair.
  • Store medicine in a locked cabinet, out of sight and reach of children.
  • Check with your child’s doctor before beginning a second or third treatment. Your child may need repeat treatment 7 to 9 or 9 to 10 days after the first treatment depending on the medicine.
  • Ask your child’s doctor if you have any questions or if treatments you have tried have not gotten rid of lice.

Girl in woods Smelling flowers

I have certainly lived through the nightmare, and wanted to share what I have learned:

Best MOM Tips:

  1. No sharing brushes! I have four kids so each kid has their own brush!
  2. No sharing hair ties! I only have one daughter so no problem there.
  3. Avoid cross contamination by storing each kid’s hats in a designated space
  4. Do frequent head checks visually and with the correct comb.
  5. Run brushes and ponytail holders through the dishwasher.
  6. Hair is to be in a bun doused in tea tree oil for sleep overs
  7. And my number one, never share hats or brushes. Repeat to your children over and over like a broken record!

After ten years of mothering and four kids in tow, I have learned to expect the unexpected. I may not be comfortable with them, but I’ve got to face my fears head on even if they’re the mere size of sesame seeds. It’s better to be prepared and know what to do in case you’re one of the many who end up experiencing every parent’s nightmare, headlice! For more information and to better prepare yourself, I encourage you to visit KnowYourOTCs.org.

Lice nightmare I’m proud to take part as a blogging ambassador with the CHPA (Consumer Healthcare Products Association) Educational Foundation and KnowYourOTCs.org. This is a Sponsored Post! While I Have Received Compensation From The CHPA Educational Foundation, All Opinions Are My Own. Thank You For Supporting CityGirlGoneMom.

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2 thoughts on “Oh Good Grief, Are You Itchy Yet?”

  1. We went through this awfulness a few years back; it’s just horrible. But we battled it naturally with some initial outside (and very exorbant) guidance. The rid products are chemical laden and actually not very helpful atleast not for us. We researched the topic extensively and discovered these little buggers have developed a strong immunity to products like Rid and Nix. We then used Bambinos prescribed natural products and lice policing. And nothing really replaces going through the hair with the special knit comb. Ugh! Makes me itch just talking about this ?

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