The Alternative Press

Thanksgiving travel time is upon us!  With everything that the NJ area has experienced in the past few weeks, we have a lot to be thankful for. However, in the wake of the devastation that Super Storm Sandy left behind, we have seen a dramatic increase in head lice cases from families who took to sharing homes due to power outages and other issues.

If you are traveling for the holiday this week please keep in mind the following helpful tips:

1) Clean seat backs on airplanes with an adhesive lint roller prior to taking your seat

2) Remember to pack everyone's individual hair brushes so that sharing isn't necessary

3) Keep up with your regular combing head checks and daily use of The Nit Nanny Mint Detangler Spray or other suitable lice repellent containing peppermint or citronella

4) Keep girls' hair pulled back when in a large group or when your children are playing with other children. The outbreaks we are seeing span multiple towns and often trace back to large social occasions.

5) When you receive a note home from school or if you get a call from a friend or family member who has had lice, increase the frequency of your head checks to twice a week.
 

6) If you do find that one or more of your children have head lice, remember to quickly inform those with whom you have had close social contact and also inform your school nurse. Spreading the word is a crucial part of not becoming re-infested from someone to whom you may have given head lice before discovering it on your family.

Have a safe, happy Thanksgiving! We hope you find yourself surrounded by the love of family and friends.