Q
Dear Auntie Pearl, why does my child keep getting lice?
She’s had lice now for the SEVENTH time, Auntie and it’s just getting worse.
She is in Grade 3.
Die ou mense het altyd gesê you have to shave off the hair. But my tietie did that to me as a child, and I got lice again.
I’m literally sitting with my hands in my hair. Please help, Auntie.
A
Haai meisie, kopluise is a terrible thing.
Symptoms include an itchy scalp and small red bumps or sores on the back of the neck and scalp.
Head lice often infest young children because kids have the most physical contact with one another − they play, sleep, cuddle, hug, fight, and are up in each others’ business the whole time with a lot of direct head-to-head contact.
Head lice do not mean you are dirty or have poor hygiene.
In fact, some experts skeem the bugs smaak clean hair so their eggs can cling better.
The length of the hair is also not an issue, so please don’t shave your child’s head!
Don’t let your kids share things like hats, beanies, brushes and combs, or hair accessories.
There are many products on the market to get rid of lice, but make sure it also kills their eggs (known as nits).
Besides the treatment, wash her hair with normal shampoo and conditioner then comb through while the hair is still damp.
Regularly clean things like car seats, pillows, blankets and even headphones.
Check your kid’s kop for nits and lice at least once a week − they like the back of the head, near the neck and behind the ears.
And don’t be skaam − warn the parents of the kids your child is in contact with of the problem so that they can also take action.