Battle bloodsuckers with meds, vigilance 

Tips for treating head lice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

>> Using an over-the-counter or prescription medicine, follow the instructions printed on the box or label. Hair that is longer than shoulder length may require two bottles. Be sure to note how long the medication should be left on the hair and how it should be washed out. 

>> Do not use a combination shampoo and conditioner or conditioner alone before using the lice medicine. Refrain from washing the hair for a day or two after the lice medicine is removed. 

>> Check for live lice eight to 12 hours after treatment. A few lice may survive. If they’re moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. 

The medicine may take longer to kill all the lice. Comb dead and any remaining live lice out of the hair using a nit comb, which is designed to remove the lice eggs from the hair shaft.

>> After about eight to 12 hours of treatment, if no dead lice are found and the lice seem as active as before, the medicine may not be working. Consult your health care provider before re-treating. If your health care provider recommends a different treatment, carefully follow the instructions in the box or printed on the label.

>> Nit combs are often found in lice medicine packages. Use the comb to remove the eggs and lice from the hair. Flea combs made for cats and dogs may also be effective. 

>> After each treatment, checking the hair and combing with a nit comb to remove nits and lice every two to three days may decrease the chance of reinfestation. Continue to check the hair for two to three weeks to be sure all lice and nits are gone. 

>> Retreatment is meant to kill any surviving hatched lice before they produce new eggs. Depending on the drug, retreatment is recommended routinely seven to nine days after the first treatment. For other medications, retreatment is recommended only if crawling lice are seen during this period. Retreatment with lindane shampoo is not recommended.

>> Machine wash and dry clothing, bed linens and other items that the infested person wore or used during the two days before treatment using the hot water (130 degrees Fahrenheit) laundry cycle and the high-heat drying cycle. 

Clothing and items that are not washable can be dry cleaned or sealed in a plastic bag and stored for two weeks.

>> Soak combs and brushes in water that is at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit for five to 10 minutes.

>> Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay. However, the risk of becoming infested by a louse that has fallen onto a rug, carpet or furniture is very small. 

Head lice survive for one to two days if they fall off a person and cannot feed; nits cannot hatch and usually die within a week if they are not kept at the same temperature as that found close to the human scalp. 

>> Do not use fumigant sprays; they can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

Associated Press

Tips to prep your kids for their close-ups

Closed eyes, wrinkled clothes, goofy smiles, no smiles — these are all flops familiar to school picture day, a day that should be every kid’s time to shine.

However, when every child in school is getting his or her photo taken on the same day, there’s a lot that can go wrong in the short window typically allotted each child.

Photographer Heather Crowder’s advice can help parents anticipate some of those issues. Owner of Modern School Pictures, based in Annapolis, Md., Crowder travels to schools and shoots contemporary close-ups and full-body images, usually outdoors, an alternative to the traditional photographs with gray and blue backdrops that most schools offer.

Good photographers might quickly check that hair and clothing are properly in place, but Crowder has suggestions for what to do at home so children will feel relaxed and ready for their close-ups:

» Comfort rules: When picking an outfit (if students aren’t required to wear uniforms), think cute and comfortable. "If (parents) put the child in something they’re not comfortable in, it’ll show through," Crowder says. Be sure the outfit is something seasonably appropriate that your kid likes too.

» Pressing concerns: "Clean and pressed (clothing) goes a long way," she says. Also consider the style of photography and background, and pick colors that complement your child’s skin tone. She recommends clothing with tasteful embellishments over distracting logos, brand names and iconic characters.

» Added interest: Layers and accessories can add interest — and don’t forget to coordinate the shoes. If the photo ends up being a full-body shot, "(the wrong) shoes can kill the whole outfit," she says.

» Hair tips: "The more self-sustaining (a hairstyle), the better," Crowder says. "Teachers and photographers aren’t going to take nearly the time to fluff that mommy’s going to take." A little hair product goes a long way, so ask your child’s stylist for advice. But don’t go overboard on hair spray; it can create the effect of a "shellacked helmet."

She also advises against children getting a haircut the day before; aim for a week prior. That way, if the cut is disastrous, you have time to remedy the situation. Also, keep hair off your child’s face.

Skip the makeup. Makeup "doesn’t necessarily enhance a young face," Crowder says. Additionally, if your child has blemishes, scrapes or stitches, check with the photography company to see if editing and retouching are service options, because concealers can look messy. "I tell people not to cover anything up … but I can’t fix swelling, a bad haircut and a bad attitude."

If your child wears glasses, Crowder suggests leaving them on if he or she wears them all the time. Photographers can work around reflections, but if the photos are taken outside, be mindful of transition lenses; it might be best to take them off.

Parents, stay home. You may think no one else can get a smile from your child like you can, but leave the job to the photographer. "It puts a level of unnecessary pressure on everyone," Crowder says. "If parents are over my shoulder, I’m never going to get from the kid what I can get by myself."

Don’t make a big deal out of picture day. Forget about coaching them to smile. "Whatever you say likely isn’t going to make a difference," so don’t put pressure on them, she says. "A good photographer is going to be able to connect with the child."

Heather Schroering, Chicago Tribune