Head lice are tiny insects that live on the human scalp and feed on blood. They can’t fly or jump, but they crawl from head to head in close contact. Lice have a life cycle with three stages – eggs (nits), nymphs, and adult lice. Remember, lice don’t spread diseases, and anyone can get them, regardless of hygiene.

Lice can’t fly or hop, so they mainly spread through direct head-to-head contact during play or sleepovers. Contrary to myths, they don’t spread through personal items like hats or brushes, nor do they attach to pets.

Itching is the most common sign of a lice infestation, caused by a reaction to lice saliva. Children might complain about itching behind the ears or neck. Other symptoms include a tickling sensation, irritability, difficulty sleeping due to itching, and scalp soreness from scratching.

Should your child complain of excessive itching, you can perform a lice check at home. Set up a well-lit environment or use a lamp. Section the hair into smaller portions. Utilize a fine-tooth comb (nit comb) to inspect the scalp, areas behind the ears, and the neck. Look out for nits adhered to hair strands or crawling lice near the scalp.

If lice are found, take prompt action. Use over-the-counter treatments and follow the instructions given on the pack. Note that essential oils and other home remedies are not proven to work and can be dangerous.

Lice are common among children, teens, and adults. To prevent the spread of lice, wash clothes, hats, towels, and linen used before treatment. Vacuum carpets and furniture, bag items that can’t be washed for two weeks. Examine all individuals in close proximity for signs of lice. While lice infestations do not constitute a medical emergency, it’s worth considering medical assistance if your child is below two years old, if you are uncertain about treatment, if over-the-counter and home treatments prove ineffective, or if the scalp becomes infected due to scratching. Remember, lice are treatable, and seeking assistance is a proactive step toward resolving the issue.

Halloween is always a great time for the family, with chills, thrills, and lots of sweet surprises. But don’t get surprised if you spot plenty of Harley Quinns and witches knocking on doors, as these two costumes are presently holding the top spots this year in Google searches.

The Favorites

The Ellie Sparkles Show, which streams on YouTube Kids and YouTube, recently compiled a list after surveying the top popular ideas for Halloween costumes in 2022. As per their data, Marvel’s Venom, Wednesday Addams, and dinosaur have all featured in the top five spots alongside witches and Harley Quinn. Other traditional favorites like pirate, vampire, ghost, and Spiderman predictably made it to the top 20 list.

The Trendsetters

Thanks to the new Netflix series directed by the master of horror comedy Tim Burton, Wednesday Addams is raging in Halloween costume themes this year. On the contrary, Hocus Pocus 2 didn’t crack the list, despite being everywhere since its September 30 release. But that doesn’t mean you won’t spot a Sarah Sanderson at your Halloween party. According to The Ellie Sparkles Show team, searches for Sarah Sanderson have spiked up to 1300% over the last 3 months. Clearly, the screen is influencing Halloween costume ideas.

The Budgets

Halloween is a pretty important family holiday, especially for the little ones. Parents generally come up with a budget to spend on Halloween costumes for their kids and families. The survey also looked into the amounts spent by parents on Halloween costumes. According to the data compiled by surveying 1000 parents, the average spending on each child is $39.84 per year. But a few places go way over. Parents in D.C. take the top spot in spending on Halloween costumes, with an average of $59.15 each year. With average yearly budgets of $58.17, $56.62, $54.38, and $51.16, respectively Nebraska, New Jersey, Washington, and Nevada round up the rest of the top five positions.