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Somerset has experienced a few lice outbreaks in the
past year. One of the outbreaks was reported the first two weeks of January 2006 and
primarily involved 1st and 2nd grade girls. However, all children are at
risk, so the best plan is to thoroughly check the heads of all of your
children now and regularly in the future. Several families were
afflicted this past summer and many others may still be afflicted and
don’t yet know. We want to make sure it doesn’t spread at school.
What are head lice?—Head lice are tiny
wingless insects measuring less than 1/8 inch long when fully mature.
Head lice live in human hair and bite the scalp to
suck blood. They attach their eggs, called nits, to the hair. Eggs hatch
in 8 to 10 days, producing more lice, which lay more eggs, etc.
It is very common for schoolchildren to have head
lice. It is not a sign of poor hygiene. In fact, lice often prefer
cleaner hair as it is easier to grip. Anyone can get lice; it is simply
a matter of luck. Girls ages 5 to 10 are most commonly afflicted as they
often have close personal contact with each other and share personal
items.
How are head lice spread?—You can get head
lice by coming into contact with living lice or their eggs. Lice are
spread by having “head to head” contact with someone with lice or by
sharing personal items like combs, brushes, headbands, hats, jackets,
towels or bedding.
What are the symptoms of head lice?—An itchy
head is the most common symptom, especially behind the ears or on the
crown or back of the head. However, when a person first catches lice,
there are usually no symptoms.
How is head lice detected?—A thorough
examination of the scalp and hair under bright light with a lice-comb is
the best way to determine whether your child has lice. Since the lice
crawl quickly, you are more likely to see nits. Nits look like tiny
white, yellow or brown dots firmly attached to the hair. They are
located within one inch of the scalp and are shaped like an upside down
drop of water. Unlike dandruff, they cannot be brushed off easily, but
must be scraped off with fingernails.
How is head lice treated?—Nonprescription
products like Nix or Rid can be used to kill lice. However, head lice
are becoming resistant to these products. Doctors can prescribe a
product that is five times more potent than the nonprescription
products. Other products that contain tea tree oil also may help kill
lice. Regardless of which method is used, vigilance in inspecting your
child’s head daily, literally inch-by-inch, and using a lice comb and
your fingernails to remove lice and nits is essential in ridding your
home and child of lice. Doing a second chemical treatment 10 to 14 days
after the first treatment is recommended to kill any newly hatched lice.
Additionally, extensive cleaning in your home of bedding and all
personal items that may harbor lice and daily vacuuming is necessary
until the lice are firmly gone. This usually takes at least two weeks.
What can be done to prevent head lice?—Instruct
your child never to share personal items such as comb, brushes, hats,
scarves, jackets and towels. Have your child store any hat inside his or
her backpack or in the arm of his or her coat, rather than hanging it
next to others.
If you would like further information about head
lice, talk to your doctor or visit the following websites:
Centers for Disease Control
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/headlice/default.htm
Med Info
www.medinfo.co.uk/conditions/headlice.html
Head Lice Advice
www.headliceadvice.net
HeadLice.org (includes information on Natural
Remedies)
www.headlice.org
School Nurse Information
Nurses
Letter: Head Lice
A Somerset Parent's Experience with Head Lice
Parent's
Letter
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