Posted by Mrs. Wilson
It was a busy week here at All Saints Catholic Academy! We started our week with lice checks. Nothing spells fun quite like pediculosis. Now that I think of it, fun is much easier to spell. And, pediculosis isn’t all that fun. However, it’s sort of like a rite of passage for childhood, like runny noses and skinned knees. And yet, as parents, we are sent into a tailspin. How did this happen? What do I do? How do I prevent it from happening again?
What should you do if you get the call, letting you know that you need to come pick up your kiddo? Well, first, come and pick up your child. Then, get ready for some deep cleaning at home. Vacuum all carpets, upholstery, and car seats. Wash all bedding (this includes the comforter and all blankets). This next step is probably one of the hardest: bag all throw pillows and stuffed animals for at least two weeks. Lastly, treat your child according to the recommendation of your pediatrician. There are many schools of thoughts out there — stick with the recommendation of your trusted provider. Then, prepare to comb through your child’s hair nightly for at least a week. Remove all evidence of the lice (eggs, shells, live critters). This will take a long time. You child will not enjoy this. You will begin thinking that your daughter’s American Girl dolls are carriers. (For the record, they’re not. Lice need a live host.)
Why does All Saints Catholic Academy have children go home if they’re found with these little nuisances? First, it’s our effort to stop lice in their tracks. We know how easily lice is spread from child-to-child. By having parents retrieve their child gives the family time to address all the steps mentioned in the paragraph above. As a parent who has had to endure the trials of lice, believe me, I know how challenging it is. I also know how difficult it can be to leave work. And yet, having time dedicated to being able to adequately treat my child was invaluable. There is no judgment. No shaming. Just opportunity to take care of something that requires vigilance and patience. And time. Holy moly, time.
So, now that your home is lice-free, how do you keep it that way? Continue to check your child (and if more than one child lives at home, check them, too) every night. Remind your child not to share hats, helmets, clothing items, hairbrushes, or hair bands (no, not referring to music here) with other children. There are many tricks that I hear about from time-to-time. Some include olive oil or mayonnaise treatments, others include tea tree oil and specialty shampoos. However, lice does not discriminate and they are persistent. Be strong and be alert! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I am going to go dunk my head in gasoline, as Miss Elise has suggested.
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