Lice may be very bothersome for those with lice on their scalp, facial hair, pubic region or on other areas of their body. They may cause itching and may even cause infection in some cases. Patients who have lice are encouraged to take the appropriate steps to treat the problem and prevent the spread of lice to others.
Avoid Contact
Lice cannot jump or fly, contrary to what some may believe, and may only be spread by close contact with others or by sharing personal items with somebody infested with lice. To avoid spreading lice to others, inform close friends and family members that you have lice and avoid contact. If you are embarrassed at having lice, simply avoiding contact and keeping a safe distance from others should be helpful. Pubic lice (crabs) may be spread through sexual contact with partners who have pubic lice. To reduce your risk of pubic lice, avoid sexual contact with people who you know have pubic lice. Reducing your number of sexual partners may also be helpful in reducing your risk of getting pubic lice.
Avoid Sharing Personal Items
Sharing clothing, bed sheets, hair brushes, hats and other personal items with others may spread lice. Children in preschool and elementary school commonly share hats and brushes with others, which is why lice is more common in young children. Laying your head where an individual with lice recently rested their own may spread lice as well. Speak with a physician for more information about which activities may spread lice.
Other Tips
Bathe regularly and practice good hygiene. Examine your children's scalps regularly to check for lice. Identifying lice before they spread to you or other members in the family may be helpful in preventing a household lice infestation. Body lice live on clothing, so make sure that you wash your clothing in hot water. Change your clothes regularly, as body lice will usually go away on their own if you bathe regularly and do not wear clothing containing body lice. If you or a family member has lice, apply medication and take the necessary precautions to avoid spreading lice to others. Talk to a physician for information regarding possible treatments and medications used to treat lice. To learn more about lice, how to avoid lice and how to avoid spreading lice, consult a qualified physician in the area.
