Helping Families Face Lice

(Wednesday, April 04, 2001) - Head lice: the 2nd most communicable condition among school-age children, next to the common cold. Contrary to popular belief, head lice are most attracted to clean hair, and they know no socio-economic boundaries.
There has been a sudden increase of head lice cases this past year, and a lot of parents, schools, camps and childcare professionals are left scratching their heads as to why, and what can be done to stop it.
Eliminating head lice is not as easy as it once was. Head lice have been building up a resistance to common pesticide treatments. And with limited support from the public health department, the burden is now placed primarily on the parent.
Most schools, daycare centres and camps have adopted a "no nit" policy. It is one of the best ways to eliminate head lice outbreaks - but a "no nit" policy is only as good as those implementing it. If schools don't have qualified people to check and re-check those with head lice, the problem persists. It also takes time to eliminate head lice, and children may miss days of school, besides creating difficulties for working parents.
Some parents do not want to use pesticides on their children; others use too much, not knowing the potential dangers. If a pesticidal treatment did not work after the recommended 2 treatments, a 3rd, 4th or 5th won't be any better. Parents should know that to eliminate head lice, every last nit (louse egg) must be removed. Otherwise, head lice will continue to hatch and infest the head.
Parents should also know that there are natural ways of beating the bugs - treatments which can be repeated every four days for 16 days to kill any new hatchlings, if eggs were missed.
Check for nits using bright lights and some form of magnification. Look behind the nape of the neck, around the ears and at the crown of the head. Look for I mm brown nits glued to one side of the hair shaft, about '4" from the scalp - although they can be laid anywhere on the shaft. Sometimes the nits will be clear/white - usually an empty egg case. Look for scabs or red patches, that the child is scratching. The bugs themselves are only 2 to 4 mm in length and dark brown. They have 6 legs, with claws, and do not hop, jump or fly. These blood-sucking insects must feed regularly; they die within 24 hours without a blood meal - so that sealing up items of bedding or stuffed animals for at least 24 hours can eliminate lice.
Check your child on the first day of school, camp or daycare. Ask the facility tor their policy on lice, if they check children at the start of the school year or camp season - and what is done if a child is found to have head lice.
Try to organize a group of parent or teacher volunteers to form a lice committee. Children should he checked at least 3 times a year, following all school breaks. Check your child at home on a weekly basis. If you find head lice early, they are easier to get rid of. Checking takes only 2 to 5 minutes, and is time well spent.
Always inform other parents, the school, day care or camp if your child has lice. Break the cycle. Don't panic if you find lice. There are companies that deal specifically with head lice, and can provide information and support.
LiceBusters provide safe non-pesticidal treatments and tools to eliminate nits. 1-877-410-LICE (5423). The Lice Squad offers in-home head lice removal, head checks and training, throughout South Simcoe and surrounding areas.
1-416 859-LICE. Both companies are online at www.licebusters.ca www.licesquad.ca

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