Top Ten Tidbits

1. Don't Freak Out   NOT freaking out is probably the hardest advice to follow...especially when your fourth load of wash is in the washer, and you have been combing hair for hours.  Try to take a deep breath and remember that lice and nits are not life threatening.  Although there is a chance of infection with continued scratching of the scalp, any adverse consequences are unlikely.  You will win this fight and become stronger, and more aware.
2. Talk About It   In my opinion, one of the primary reasons lice are so hard to eradicate is that parents and schools are too quiet.  If your child has a case of lice infestation, call the school and insist that they let other parents know.  Let parents of your child's friends know.  Be prepared to offer some advice on how to check for lice.  Nurses and school staff have very limited time and may not catch every case when checking all of the children in a classroom.  Parents MUST be made aware so they can help stop the cycle.  
3. Skip the Rid and Nix  After using these treatments during two separate episodes in my own home, I learned the hard way that resistance to these is a huge problem.  In addition, they do not kill the nits.  There are more effective and less toxic treatments available, so why waste time and money with these?  Interestingly, many school policies are outdated.  My own school district requires evidence of treatment with one of these pyrethrin treatments (empty box must be provided for re-entry).  It's time to lobby that these policies are updated!
4. Buy a good metal comb  Metal combs are more effective at eliminating live bugs and nits from the hair and scalp.  There are two sizes: one larger, longer comb for louse removal, and one smaller, shorter comb for removal of the nits.  In my experience, nits are best removed with fingernails.  Finding them all can be excruciatingly time consuming...but well worth it.  The Licemeister is a good option http://www.headlice.org/licemeister/index.htm.
5. Get rid of any live bugs - try the Robi Comb  We have used the Robi Comb www.robicomb.com to eliminate live bugs...as well as to "check" everyone, anytime there is mention of lice in the school environment.  The Robi Comb is a battery powered comb that works as a "bug zapper".  When combing the entire scalp with the Robi Comb, it essentially kills any louse that it encounters.  Yes, electric current against your child's scalp sounds a little scary, but the current very minimal...just enough to kill a teeny bug, and it is not harmful.  The comb is powered by a AA battery.  If the metal part of the comb touches the child's skin (such as the ear), there may be a minimal shock, but nothing to worry about.  On three separate occasions after hearing about a lice outbreak in the classroom, we performed a thorough combing/hair check lasting at least 60 minutes.  Afterward, we found a single louse with the Robi Comb.  This comb also provides a wonderful peace of mind...anytime the topic comes up in the school and amongst friends, my own head will itch progressively throughout the day.  Using the Robi Comb on myself in times like these is quick and easy and definitely helps me to relax
6. Get rid of the NITS - Carve some time out of your schedule for this one!  Sunlight is the best for seeing nits!  Look close to the scalp for tiny shiny eggs.  The translucent eggs have likely been hatched, and the further from the scalp, the less likely that the eggs are viable.  If you see something that looks like a nit, and cannot easily pull it from the hair shaft without fingernails, it is likely a nit.  Nits that are not viable do not need to be removed to prevent re-infection.  Some schools have nit free policies, however, in which case some time will need to be spent finding and removing all of these.  I do not have experience with products designed to loosen the "glue" holding the nits to the shaft, however, I have heard that a flat iron will do the trick, given that the nits are far enough from the scalp.
7. Wash bedding in HOT water and dry on HIGH HEAT setting.  If you do not already have a strict schedule of washing bedding in hot water, start one!
8. Dry pillows and stuffed animals on high heat.  Warning...some stuffed animals with synthetic *fur* may change under high heat settings.  If your child won't miss them, sealing them in a plastic bag for several weeks should do the trick.
9. Prevent with shampoos, conditioners, and sprays with essential oils.  We have been using Rosemary Repel shampoo and conditioner since our first outbreak and have been very satisfied.  http://www.fairytaleshaircare.com/  It smells very nice and is a high quality organic shampoo with a nice lather.  When I was spending hours trying to comb all of the hair in my house, and catch every single bug, I used the detangler spray to assist.  As I wet each section, the lice "escaped" to dry sections until I had them cornered.  It was a very creepy testimonial to the fact that lice DO NOT like rosemary.  There are other products available to assist with prevention.  Check out whole foods for tea tree oil and other repellants.  I ran across another repellant shampoo on the shelves of WalMart recently, however, and it smelled TERRIBLE.  Make sure you take a sniff before you purchase! 
10. Check your child's hair weekly...and keep talking!  Teach your children not to share accessories at school.  Send children to school with hair up in ponytails or braids, as much as you are able.  Encourage your school to have open and quick communication.  Working together, we can prevent infestations that might otherwise quickly become widespread and hard to eliminate.