We have to talk about Lice

Have you gotten that note home from the school. You know the one that sends shivers down your spine and instantly makes you start scratching your head. Yes, the lice letter. It happens. Every year, at some point is seems, a classroom notice comes home to say that lice is around. That there are precautions to take. To talk to our kids about what to do to try and avoid it. But one question remains for anyone who then confirms their child has lice: What do we do next?

I would need help. There’s no way I would be able to calmly gather up all of our bedding, stuffies, school stuff, winter gear – everything any of us have touched – and prep it to remove the lice and eggs. Then there’s the actual head of hair that all of us (except Andy I suppose) would have to deal with. That’s why I am so thrilled to share with you information from my new blog advertiser Lice Services Canada.

Consider this not only an ad piece, but a public service announcement. There is someone to turn to when lice enters your home. You can book an appointment and go to their Ottawa location for a head checks or lice removal or you can request that they come to you.  They even have a service, for FREE, that if you send a picture of your child’s head and what you think is lice, they can help identify it or confirm.

Are you scratching your head? Read this information sheet about lice for more details about lice myths, including whether or not being itchy is actually a sign (spoiler aler: Now always!)

Here’s what I think will happen if we ever end up having to deal with this: I’m going to call Lice Services Canada, located right here in Ottawa. I’m not saying that because I’m working with them either. I just can’t even imagine the stress that would be involved in combing through and dealing with lice and their eggs if we get it. Not to mention that both my kids have longer hair, and that we are all cuddled up often at bedtime. There would be no avoiding it for most of us.

Besides, in situations like this, I need someone holding my hand to help reduce the stress. That’s what a service like Lice Service Canada provides. Beyond the actual service of lice removal, they are providing me with piece of mind and assistance.

In speaking with Anne Doswell, the owner of Lice Services Canada, a few questions popped into my mind as a parent. Each time I’m looking through my child’s hair, or when a note from school comes home letting us know that there’s been another case, I often wonder a few things.

There are a lot of myths around lice that I think confuse many of us. So I asked Anne about a few of these True or False scenarios. You may be surprised by some of the answers:

True or False: Once my child has had lice and we get rid of it, we won’t have to worry about it again:

True or False: Once the school year ends, I can stop worrying about lice. 

True or False: Tea Tree oil can help prevent lice 

True or False: As my kids get older, I don’t need to worry about lice as much. 

True or False: As long as I tell my kids not to share hats, I shouldn’t worry about lice.