This post was sponsored by Nix® Ultra as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and I received products to facilitate my review

As parents we prepare and shop to make sure our child’s back to school transition is smooth. We go over what to do if they take the bus, if they’re a walker, and all emergency numbers. We talk to them about all situations because we want to make sure they’re prepared and stay safe. We also talk to them about hygiene, making sure they know to wash their hands during the day and especially after using the bathroom. I also spoke to my children about Lice, as a cosmetologist, I saw how common it was for one child to get it and saw it spread like wild fire. I’m sure your skin started cringing the second you read Lice but the truth is, although it’s the biggest pain in the butt and gross because it’s a bug, it’s really not a reason to freak out.

First and most important- PREVENTION!!!! 

Teach your children about Lice making them understand it can happen to anyone. Just like with anything else, they should never make fun of anyone. It’s one of life’s embarrassing moments as a child. They need to know what it is and how they can catch it.

• Never share combs or brushes
• Never share hats- not even to try it on quickly
• Never share hair accessories
• Check theNix® Lice Tracker at least once a week- Nix® is launching the first-ever and only data-driven lice tracker, which is a tool for school nurses and parents to report lice outbreaks in their area as well as track infestations. Please use it if your child gets lice! It uses IRI data from lice product sales, along with crowdsourced data from school nurses and parents and Google Trends data to track lice outbreaks. Using IRI sales data from all lice products, the Nix® Lice Tracker reports outbreaks in real-time so parents can receive up-to-the-minute information on outbreaks in their community
• Keep Nix® Ultra on hand. Should your child come home from school with lice, you want to be able to take care of it and not worry about running to the store

Although these tips will help, it’s not fool proof. Lice is easily spread and any child (or adult) can get it. You can be the cleanest person with the best family hygiene and lice can find you, they are not prejudice! You may now here the term super lice, these buggers are resistant to most over-the-counter pesticide treatments, but don’t fret- read on!

Watch for head scratching- if your child is complaining about an itchy head, you should take the time to check to make sure you’re not dealing with lice. Part small (very small) sections of the hair and look for the actual bug (louse) and look for the nit. The nit looks like a piece of dandruff stuck to the hair (usually close to the scalp) and doesn’t come off easily.

What To Do If Your Child Gets Lice! 

1. Don’t Panic
2. Immediately go to your local drugstore and buy Nix® Ultra – this is a new safe, non-toxic, pesticide free and effective over-the-counter remedy that kills both traditional and super lice, as well as their eggs.
3. Follow the directions and PLEASE take your time when using the nit comb. This is very important because you want to make sure you get all the nits (eggs) out of the hair.
4. Wash all bed linens and clothing that’s been recently worn by anyone in your home who’s infested in very hot water (130° Fahrenheit, 54.4° Celsius), then put them in the hot cycle of the dryer for at least 20 minutes. Dry clean any clothing that isn’t machine washable or store all clothing, stuffed animals, comforters, etc., that cannot be washed or dry cleaned into a plastic bag and seal it for two weeks
5. Vacuum carpets and any upholstered furniture (in your home or car)
6. Soak hair-care items like combs, barrettes, hair ties or bands, headbands, and brushes in rubbing alcohol or medicated shampoo for 1 hour. You can also wash them in hot water (130 degrees F; 55 degrees C) or just throw them away

Call your child’s school, daycare, and anyone they may have come in contact with. 

Report on Nix® Lice Tracker so you can help other parents in your area stay up to date!