It has absolutely nothing to do with the kind of parents a child has. It has nothing to do with cleanliness. In fact, head lice prefer a clean, healthy head to a dirty one. Anyone, adult or child, can get head lice. The most common symptom of infestation is intense itching on the back of the head or neck.

Head lice can live for short periods on almost anything but they need a human host for survival. They cannot survive on family pets. There is little evidence to support that they carry disease.

Head lice are passed from person to person by direct contact or on shared objects, such as hats, combs, towels, barrettes, etc. So, you may want to encourage your child to keep these things to him or herself. If you do find head lice, DON'T PANIC --just follow the steps below to easily take care of the problem.

1. Check every member of the family.

Lice are hard to spot, so look for tiny white eggs (nits) on hair shafts, near the scalp, especially at the nape of the neck and behind the ears. Head lice are small, wingless, grayish-tan insects. Any family member with lice or nits must be treated.

Several are available without a prescription. Most are effective in killing lice. Follow directions on the package exactly. Make sure you use shampoo on dry hair.

Gently comb the child's hair with the special nit removal comb. The combs are provided with most lice treatment products. A vinegar rinse will help in removing eggs. No product can guarantee 100% killing of lice or eggs. Thus removal of eggs is essential to prevent re-infestation.

Use hot water, than dry on the hot cycle for at least 20 minutes. items such as stuffed animals. and hats that are not machine washable must be dry-cleaned or stored in a tightly sealed plastic bag for at least two weeks.

The hotter the better. Items should soak for at least 10 minutes.

To make sure the rest of your home is louse-free, you should vacuum carpets, pillows, mattresses, upholstered furniture, even the car seats.