There is a whole industry catering to families eager to eliminate recurring head lice. So, what’s out there? Franchised and local services offering lice technicians have become the norm in most urban and suburban areas. On the plus side, these services offer thorough, safe and timely solutions. However, they can be too costly, or out of reach for many families in rural areas. Another drawback is that many technicians are only familiar with straight or wavey hair types (You can see our coily and curly hair series that explores perspectives, safety and knowledge for head check and lice/nit removal). For families researching over the counter head lice product options, there are a plethora of shampoos or topical formulas to choose from. The drawback here includes cost and potentially undesirable side effects due to product irritants or toxicity. Importantly share with families that applying product alone is unlikely to achieve total lice and nit removal. Given this information, families may also wish to consider recent research to heat treat nits and lice by using a hairdryer at a safe distance from the scalp, thus avoiding scorching the hair and scalp but making the nits and lice easier to comb out. Combining home hair rinse solutions that are safe with combing skills for manual lice and nit removal are all lower-cost options that can be just as effective. More on that in our next digital short.** If families suspect recurrences are due to lice remaining on clothing, sheets, hair brushes, or accessories, advise them to launder bedding and towels on a hot temperature machine cycle. Similarly, hair accessories and combs can be soaked in boiling water, according to advice from the CDC. Wigs and plush toys can be stored in an airtight bag for 48 hours to ensure no remaining lice survive. Do emphasize that sprays and pesticides are not only ineffective but pose health hazards and should never be used to tackle head lice cases or recurrence. Encouraging families to source solutions that fit their needs and schedule is key. Some families may not have time but can afford to hire a lice technician, other families may feel comfortable learning the technical skills to continue checks for manual nit removal beyond the initial head lice treatment. Know that there will always be families who are already stretched by other life stressors, making treating head lice a less pressing priority. From the professional competency perspective offering judgment-free support when needed is not only a skill-set but also a perspective and starting point for all communication, body language, and behavior. Our mindfulness and cultural humility series can help strengthen this professional area. For now, test your knowledge on the guidelines for head lice options here.