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Expert Q&A
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| By Deborah Z. Altschuler Lice Expert | ||
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My 8-year-old daughter has been invited to a slumber party. One of the girls invited had lice recently. Is it OK to let my daughter go?
Ahhhh. Just another reminder that it is best to screen children for head lice regularly regardless of activities in or out of school. The same children who go to slumber parties and birthday events are in school each day. While ""slumber party"" conjures up images of sharing pillows and plopping on the couch all huddled together, it is probably no more or less an opportunity for the same head lice to move to another person during normal home and school activities.
Preventive measures with early detection in place, everyone should be able to be reasonably assured -- including the children who understandably love and do not want to miss the special ""overnight'"" with their friends. Please never shampoo a child for head lice out of fear or ""just in case."" The ideal scenario would be for all of the children to be screened by a thorough combing before attending the party and then again when they return home. The National Pediculosis Association recommends the LiceMeister comb since it is a super screening and early detection tool. We are beginning to hear more and more from parents who are packing them in the camp duffle too. Hope your daughter has a great time at the party and that everyone has a healthy, safe and super summer."
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