So often, the first reaction and response to this contagious condition is a step back, followed by fear, frustration, anger, shame and finger-pointing.  Backs go up as the questions begin.  Who has it?  What do I do now?  When will it be gone?  Where did I get it from and why me?

We regularly hear news stories and read articles about the lasted outbreaks, chemical resistance issues, new cures, as well as stories that tug at the heart strings such as children being over exposed to toxic pesticides, girls having heads shaved and people trying remedies and myths with sometimes dangerous outcomes.  No one wants to deal with lice and many will try whatever it takes to get rid of them.

Let’s clear the air on the STIGMA associated with head lice.  If we look at the facts presented over the years we learn that lice are a human condition and they have been around since the beginning of time.  Lice do not discriminate between race, religion, class or age.  They prefer clean well-kept hair as their ideal environment but they can certainly be found in un-kept hair.  It is hard to tell if lice are at an epidemic level right now as there does not appear to be any formal reporting systems in place.  One thing you can be sure of is that where ever large groups of people gather, especially children, lice have a better change of spreading and multiplying.  This is why many schools, camps and daycare centers experience periodic outbreaks. Some on a larger scale than others.  This does not make them responsible or to blame as it only takes one unsuspecting child with active lice to enter into a group or home to create an outbreak.

This leads me back to my company’s approach on head lice.   I call it the TLC approach.  If society wants to break the stigma and make this issue a little less prevalent, we all need to practice the following measures.

T is for TIMELY.  Head lice need to be diagnosed and treated in a timely manner; otherwise they will spread to others in a group or family.  Screening for lice and head checks need to be done regularly at places where large numbers of children gather and in every home.  Spot an infestation early before it is allowed to infiltrate a group or family over time.   If found, lice have to be treated immediately and preventive steps must be taken so that when treatment is occurring, others in the home or environment do not pick it up during this time.  For the person who has lice and does not know it or knows it but does not treat it right away, the infestation can take hold quickly and be harder to get rid of.  Dealing with lice in a TIMELY manner means being dedicated to regular head checks and when found, treating immediately and appropriately.

L is for LOVING.  In realizing that lice make many people feel ashamed, afraid and outcast, we need to do our part to help banish the myth that there is something wrong, bad or dirty about having lice.  We need to inject some humour, love and attention towards helping the head lice sufferer realize they are not alone, not to blame and certainly have nothing to be ashamed of.  We need to lovingly help them get the lice and eggs from their hair in a safe and non-invasive way without letting frustration build.  Ridiculing, segregating and getting angry with those who have lice only further imposes the stigma of shame.  Shaving a girl’s head and over- applying toxic chemicals can also be viewed as abusive and potentially dangerous to the physical and mental health of the person suffering with lice.  Love can conquer all things and it can indeed conquer lice when partnered with the proper knowledge and tools for treatment.

C is for the CORRECT APPROACH.  Communities, lice sufferers, schools, camps, agencies and daycare centers need to be provided with accurate information, proper tools, and treatments that are safe.  Following a systematic treatment regime in correlation to the lifecycle of the head louse has proven to provide the best results.  Combining some form of topical treatment and manual lice egg removal using a specialized comb designed for this purpose over time truly is the best way to beat lice