As you may know, head lice cases have been on the rise. An estimated 6 to 12 million infestations occur each year in the United States, most commonly in children ages 3 to 11. The following information should help identify lice and provide information on what can be done if lice infestations occur.

We recommend that children be checked every two weeks and after every sleep-over throughout the school year. Due diligence on the part of the parent, checking your children every two weeks, is the most important preventative action that you can take in the prevention of lice. A child can be found to be nit free one day only to find out several days later that there is an infestation.

Head lice are extremely small, brown, black or grayish-white insects and can barely be seen. The eggs (nits) are attached to the hair follicle and look like a translucent, white or beige, tiny dewdrop. They can be found anywhere on the head and are commonly found in the hair at the back of the neck and behind the ears. Eggs are attached very tightly and must be removed with a fine comb or your fingernails.

Head lice are not a sign of poor hygiene and do not transmit disease. In fact, head lice often infest people with good hygiene and grooming habits. Infestations can occur at home, school or in the community. Head lice are mostly spread by direct head- to- head contact. Therefore, please emphasize to your children that they should not share combs or brushes, hair ornaments or headbands, helmets or hats, wigs, scarves or earmuffs with other children.

Additional information and pictures to help with identification are available at:

www.headlice.org
http://identifyus.com
www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice

A recent article from the American Academy of Pediatrics provides valuable information as well:

Head Lice published by the American Academy of Pediatrics

If you think your child has head lice, please notify your health care provider for their specific treatment recommendations. Resistance to some over-the-counter head lice treatments has been reported, but the prevalence of the resistance is not known. There are new treatments options available that are safe and do not require nit combing.

Please call the nurse’s office if you have any questions or if we can assist you in any way.