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      Greasy Hair

      During puberty, your oil glands get more active. For

      some girls this means greasy hair. If the roots of your

      hair look oily almost every day, you may have to

      shampoo more often.

      Dandruff

      Does your scalp feel dry and itchy? Are your shoulders

      covered with flakes of skin, making your dark-colored

      shirts look like they’re sprinkled with snow? You may have

      a case of dandruff, a very common condition that’s easy

      to treat. Try a dandruff shampoo from the drugstore. If

      drugstore shampoos don’t work, ask your doctor for

      something stronger.

      EEK—a Louse!

      Head lice are a common problem among schoolkids

      everywhere. These tiny wingless parasites thrive in

      thickets of human hair. They bite the scalp, leaving tiny

      sores that itch like crazy. Worst of all, a single louse can

      lay hundreds of eggs, called nits, right on your head!

      If lice are on the loose at your school, take action to

      protect yourself. Don’t share combs and brushes with

      friends. Don’t swap hats, hair bands, or headphones,

      and don’t trade pillows at sleepovers.

      If you suspect unwelcome guests on your head, see

      your doctor or school nurse. They know a louse when

      they see one. Live lice are small and gray and move

      around. Nits look like white grains of sand and are often

      found along the hairline above the neck and behind

      the ears. If it turns out you have lice, your parents can

      buy delousing products at the drugstore and follow the

      instructions carefully to get rid of the lice completely

      and to keep them from coming back.

      Hair products such as mousse,

      sprays, and gels can cause flakes

      and itching from buildup. Shampoo

      regularly to remove the buildup.

      Nits attach themselves to hair and

      can be hard to get out. A special

      fine-tooth “nit comb” can help

      pick out the nits.

      Ears

      Ears are easy to care for. They need just a little help from you

      to stay healthy inside and out—so every sound you hear will be

      crystal clear.

      Squeaky Clean

      Your ears get washed every time you shampoo or shower.

      In most cases, that’s all the cleaning they need. Shake your

      head to remove excess water, and use a towel, washcloth,

      or cotton swab to wipe off the outer part of your ears.

      NEVER stick a pointy object into your ears—not even a

      cotton swab. You could do serious damage to your ear-

      drums or canals. Ear wax, that sticky yellowish stuff inside,

      is something you’re supposed to have. Wax acts as a sort

      of magnet, sticking to dirt and preventing it from traveling

      into your ear canal. You can, however, have too much wax.

      If your ears feel plugged, talk to your doctor to find out a

      safe way to get the gobs out.

      Pierced Ears

      If you want to get your ears pierced, go to a professional

      who uses clean, sterile equipment. Allow two to three

      months for the holes to heal before you change earrings.

      Clean your newly pierced ears daily with a cotton swab

      dipped in rubbing alcohol. Redness, itching, or oozing near

      the hole may be a sign of infection. If this happens, call

      your doctor for advice.

      Headphones

      It’s OK to turn on the music and tune out the world, but

      don’t turn up the volume! Over time, exposing your ears

      to loud noise can damage your hearing. Take this test: If

      someone stands next to you and can hear sound coming

      out of your headphones, the volume is too loud.

      Many girls are allergic to the metals

      used in cheap earrings. To be safe,

      look for surgical steel, sterling silver,

      or 14-karat gold.

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