The incidence of head lice in schools, camps, and day care facilities has become an issue of great concern. Head lice is very common among school children. Contrary to popular belief, lice are not a sign of dirtiness. In fact, the the opposite is true: lice prefer a clean environment and incidence is on the rise.
Lice are small insects that feed on blood from the scalp several times a day, and their eggs are called “nits.” They spread very quickly among school-agers because children are frequently in close proximity to one another. Lice do not jump or fly, but can move quickly along hair strands and make their way to a neighbouring scalp. Education is key to containing the outbreaks.
For many parents going through a lice infestation for the first time, this can be overwhelming. It is not always easy to recognise what a louse looks like, and it is even more difficult to identify a nit, which can easily be confused with dandruff. Parents may not have the time necessary to dedicate to treatment and are unable to miss work hours to treat their children. Children are often not allowed in school until the infestation is cleared putting them at a disadvantage with their schoolwork.
Traditional methods of eradicating head lice include over-the-counter products, olive oil, vinegar, mayonnaise, kerosene, Cetaphil and Vaseline. Many of these products which are available at local pharmacies contain harmful pesticides. Since the use of these lice treatments has been ongoing over the years, the lice have become resistant to them, leaving live bugs and unhatched nits in the hair. Using food products to eliminate lice can cause both salmonella as well as discomfort to open sores on a child’s head from scratching. Unfortunately there is no magic potion or device. All lice and their eggs must be manually removed from the head in order to prevent reinfestation.
The Lice People, implement the most effective and innovative new treatments available, namely the Shepherd Method. The new strategy is dedicated to family convenience and comfort for the child. The salon environment provided is geared towards children, making the experience a calming, yet fun one. This concept is the first of its kind, and is a convenient and easy alternative to traditional methods. Every employee is expertly trained to examine each strand of hair and recognise lice and nits. There is no other method as thorough and effective, and this service is offered in a friendly, family atmosphere.
At the salon children are made to feel comfortable, and may watch a movie while going through treatment, so they are entertained. The salon is well-lit, and all staff are expertly trained, providing you with peace of mind knowing the treatment will be effective. During the first visit, trained experts will comb through the hair to remove much of the infestation. A strand-by-strand examination of the hair will be performed to ensure complete eradication. This is followed by a check done by a second technician. There are also two follow up sessions included to make sure the treatment has been 100% effective. Children will be provided with a letter of clearance so they may return to school immediately.
The Lice People are also available for home visits if you find it difficult to reach the salon. They are even available for trips to schools and camps to do professional, thorough head checks. Tips are also available on how you can make sure you home is louse-free. There is a plethora of information and support available through The Lice People. These, and other valuable resources are available online at http://www.thelicepeople.com.
Taryn Kukle, founder of The Lice People, struggled with an infestation of lice in her home. She had tried many methods including taking a “lice vacation” from her home for three days. She spent unnecessary money and time on over-the-counter remedies based on misconceptions and myths. Taryn educated herself on lice and their life cycle and found that the non-toxic, thorough process of strand-by-strand removal of lice and nits is the most effective strategy. She knows firsthand the stress that comes with a head lice infestation, and has made it her goal to share her knowledge with as many parents and children as possible.
Here is my story about a modern day super hero for parents, Five Star Rug and Carpet Cleaning, in a true action-packed adventure in the life of a family.
I came home this afternoon to find five of the stairs of my home had grease spots on the carpet runner going upstairs. I am not sure how it happened, but there it was. I called my husband, and we realized that we had to act fast before it set.
Where was a mom to go? The internet of course. I visited HomeStars.com, a site I like to visit because it gives me reviews for home improvement stars before I call. I looked for carpet cleaners in my area, who could visit within the next few hours.
I was fortunate to speak with Bob Geran of Five Star Rug & Carpet Cleaning (www.5starcleaning.ca) who arrived within an hour. He was very professional and easy to talk to. He told me his carpet cleaning is chemical free. And most importantly, he helped make our carpet runner look as good as new.
In addition to rug and carpet cleaning, Five Star Rug & Carpet Cleaning offers 24/7 Emergency Services for flood and water damage. I hope that I will never have to use this service, but if I do, I know who I will call.
A home disaster was diverted, and a great carpet cleaner is in my book for future visits. This day definitely had a happy ending.
Five Star Rug & Carpet Cleaning can be contacted at either 416-315-7562 or at www.5starcleaning.ca.
More than 40% of children have dental caries by the time they reach kindergarten, or their first dental visit. Most, if not all, of these cavities in infants and young children can easily be prevented by providing new parents with the proper information on how to look after their children’s oral health. It is therefore extremely important that early on, new parents be made aware of proper oral care of their new infants by their family doctor, Pediatrician, or most preferably, by a Pediatric Dentist.
The most commonly known dental problem affecting young children is Early Childhood Caries (ECC), which is caused by the excessive use of a baby-bottle containing apple/orange juice or formula/milk. It is also known as Nursing/Baby Bottle Caries and it can be a particularly virulent form of dental caries. It usually begins soon after dental eruption, developing on smooth dental surfaces (specifically behind the upper front teeth thus making it difficult for parents to notice it early), progressing rapidly, and having a potentially lasting and detrimental impact on the dentition.
Children experiencing caries as infants or toddlers have a much greater probability of subsequent caries in both the primary and permanent dentitions. Not only does ECC affect teeth, but consequences of this disease may lead to more widespread health issues. Infants with ECC, for example, grow at a slower pace than caries-free infants.
The presence of ECC can cause pain and suffering to young children and its treatment can often times be complicated, costly and very stressful to parents. Therefore, prevention through good parental education, is imperative.
To decrease the risk of developing ECC the following practices are suggested:
1. Minimizing saliva-sharing activities (e.g. sharing utensils) between an infant and his family, because caries causing bacteria may be transmitted to your infant by a parent or another child in the family. In addition, decreasing the mother’s/siblings’ oral bacteria levels may decrease the infant’s risk of developing ECC.
2. Implementing oral hygiene measures no later than the time of eruption of the first primary tooth.
• If an infant falls asleep while feeding, the teeth should be cleaned before placing the child in bed.
• Brushing the child’s teeth should be performed twice daily, especially prior to going to sleep.
• Flossing should be initiated when teeth are not spaced apart, irrespective of the child’s age.
3. Avoiding caries-promoting feeding behaviors. In particular:
• Ad libitum breast-feeding should be avoided after the first primary tooth begins to erupt and other dietary carbohydrates are introduced.
• Infants should not be put to sleep with a bottle containing anything other than water.
• Infants should be weaned from the bottle at 12 to 14 months of age.
• Repetitive drinking of sweet drinks from a bottle or no-spill training cup should be avoided.
• Between meal snacks and prolonged exposure to sweets and juice should be avoided.
4. Have your child examined by a Pediatric Dentist no later than by age 2 yrs.
Lovers of children’s books and theatre, will be tickled pink by Vital Theatre Company’s production of Pinkalicious - The Musical.
The actors do a wonderful job of bringing to life the best-selling book Pinkalicious, the story of a girl who turns pink after eating too many pink cupcakes (written by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann). A lively collection of songs, dances and costume changes keep parents and children smiling and entertained. In fact, there is not a dull moment as the Pinkerton family decides what to do about this ‘pinkifying’ situation.
The solution ultimately is one all parents can appreciate, eating green foods (shhh …. healthy and fun).
“I liked it because the songs had a great beat. It was very good.” - Seven-year-old audience member.
A Great Theatre Environment for New and Seasoned Young Theatre Goers
Pinkalicious - The Musical is playing at an intimate stage at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. There is a lovely selection of rugs on the floor for the young audience to sit on, creating an inviting environment for children (Note: Chairs are available for accompanying adults). The show is interactive at times, and children in the audience are invited to offer suggestions. The cast also came out to sign autographs in the lobby after the show I attended, which brought additonal smiles to a Pinkalicious day!
Pinkalicious - The Musical is playing at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts at 10268 Yonge Street on Saturdays at 11 am and 1 pm and Sundays at 1 pm, through March 21, 2010. Ticket prices are $25, or Family Package of 4 for $80. Special weekend group rates and school booking rates are available. Contact the Box Office at (905) 787-8811 or http://richmondhill.ticketwindow.ca.
Lovers of children’s books and theatre, will be tickled pink by Vital Theatre Company’s production of