Transcript HEAD LICE - Madison Public Schools

HEAD LICE
WHAT PARENTS
NEED TO KNOW
HEAD LICE
Can be found on the head, eyebrows, and eyelashes of people
Feed on human blood several times a day and live close to the
human scalp
According to the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC)
They Do Not Cause Disease.
They are Just a Nuisance!
Who can get Head Lice?
*Head lice are found worldwide
*Most common in preschool-elementary
school aged children and their families
*6 million-12 million infestations each year
in the United States!
How Do Lice Spread?
HEAD LICE CRAWL
“THEY CAN NOT HOP OR FLY”
Spread by direct head to head contact
•
with a person who is infected
* Sharing clothing such as hats, scarves,
coats or other personnel items such as
combs, brushes, or towels, used by an
infested person
What do Head Lice Look Like
Life Cycle
1. Lice eggs (nits)
2. Nymph
(matures into adult
In 9-12 days after
hatching)
3. Adult
Signs and Symptoms of Lice
• Tickling feeling of something moving in the
hair
• Constant itching, caused by allergic
reaction to the bites
• Sores on the head caused by scratching
• Irritability and difficulty sleeping because
head lice are most active in the dark. So
kids are uncomfortable and itchy
Diagnosing Lice Infestation
• Finding a live nymph or louse is the best way to
diagnosis a lice infestation
• Using a magnifying lens and a fine-tooth comb
may be helpful in finding a live louse
• Nits are usually seen within a 1/4 inch of base of
the hair shafts
• If no live lice are seen and the nits are more than
a ¼ inch from the scalp, the infestation is
probably old and no longer active and does not
need to be treated
Usually What You Will Find
Nits attached to the hair shaft and do not brush
away with your hand. They are adhered to it!
May Note A Rash On the Back of the Neck
Head Lice Treatment
Talk to your doctor
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Before treating children under the age
of two
• If a person has a seizure disorder
• If the skin of scalp has an infection
Treatments
• There are many over-the -counter products to get rid of lice. Talk to your doctor and
pharmacist to see what they recommend
• “ALWAYS” follow the manufactures instructions for use
• Some products need to be repeated in 7-10 days
• This helps eliminate any remaining lice that hatched after the first treatment
• BE A NIT PICKER! Look and remove all visible nits with your fingernails or nit comb.
Check daily they are easy to miss
•
(picture of nit comb)
• Pic
•
(
What To Do at Home?
• Although lice do not live long off a host (48 hours) it is
recommended that sheets and bedding be wash
• Clothing worn in the past 48 hours should be washed in hot
water and dried on high temperature
• Plush toys and other items can be placed in the drier for 30
minutes on medium-high setting
Fun Facts About Head Lice
• Head lice can survive 6 hours under water so frequent washing will
not get rid of or prevent lice infestations.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states a child can remain
in school if lice are found until the end of the day avoiding head to
head contact.
• The AAP states there is no need for lice screenings at school and
children do not need to be nit free to return to school after
treatment.
The BEST DEFENSE AGAINST
HEAD LICE
IS YOU
Inspect your child’s hair and
scalp regularly so you can catch
an infestation early
Helpful Resources
* The Center for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/gen_info
* National Pediculosis Association
Headlice.org
* Kidshealth .org