Kids in CT might get lice this Halloween. Here’s why.
They feed on human blood and might go after your child this Halloween. This isn’t a joke. It’s lice.
Around Halloween, lice centers see a spike in cases, said Claire Roberts, CEO of Lice Clinics of America.
“Any time there are holidays and … and friends gathered together, particularly young age groups and they are hugging and putting their heads together, that’s how lice gets passed,” Roberts said.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports about 6 million to 12 million lice infestations in kids ages 3 through 11 years old each year.
During Halloween, risk is high, as children swap hats, hairbrushes, wigs and costumes. Roberts said most people shouldn’t worry about renting or borrowing costumes to wear in the future, because lice can’t survive without blood for 24 hours. (Also, 30 minutes in the dryer kills lice, she said.) But, swapping headgear back and forth could spread lice.
“A parent should be aware and they should check their child’s head over the next few days and weeks afterwards,” Roberts said.
