By Wanda Smith, Family Nurse Practitioner
When head lice are found, they must be attacked by both the school and the home. Some tips recommended are: Parents need to rinse hair in half vinegar/half water solution (if there are no open sores on the scalp) prior to treating with Rid or Nix (Available Over the Counter). This helps to loosen the ‘glue’ of the Nit. Treat the hair for the recommended time only. Newer treatment options, that aren’t as toxic are available, i.e., Ulesfia from your Medical Provider with a Prescription.
Lice! EEEEEW! Well... It’s that time of year again!
Wash the hair of all persons affected with lice killing shampoo. The stronger prescription shampoos can be neuro toxic causing seizures as well as blood disorders, (i.e. leukemia) and are not recommended by most medical practices. We encourage parents to take immediate action should your child display symptoms, which is normally excessive head scratching.
Remove all nits by thoroughly combing the hair. Combing and removal of nits is easier when the hair is still damp from shampooing.
Wash combs, brushes, clothing, caps, headbands, linen and other personal items in soap and hot water. All clothing/linen used in the past 48 hours should be laundered on hot cycle and placed in dryer for at least 30 minutes on hot cycle. Vacuum carpets, sofas, mattresses, cloth car headrest, etc. Spraying the pesticide that usually comes with the kit is helpful in ridding lice from your bedding and furniture. Make sure the area is well ventilated.
Teach children to NOT trade or use others’ caps, hair bands or hair ties.
Stuff toy animals can be placed in a tied plastic bag for two weeks, or tied plastic bag in the freezer for two days.
Students found to be affected should be sent home from school. They will be permitted to return to school upon treatment at home after all nits are removed. This is a problem that can easily be solved by working together as we have in other areas.
While writing this article, the ‘itching’ kept me awake and when I lose sleep I think in Rhymes; so for your listening pleasure, you may want to read aloud.
Lice, the Uninvited Guest
By Wanda Smith
A friend came by one day,
Moved in, and planned to stay.
With no where else to go
Thought she’d visit for...oh,
Nine-ten days or so.
I didn’t even know she was there
Wiggling around in my hair.
She planned to stay awhile,
Didn’t tell me she was (ahem!) with child!
Let’s see, adult females can lay,
Between three to six eggs a day.
And with a nine to ten day life span
In a week, fifty new folks would torture any man.
By week two, there are more than just a few.
Because, soon these can hatch, and have a family, too!
I don’t know why my head was chosen.
For this nit and lice population explosion!!
Remove all nits by thoroughly combing the hair. Combing and removal of nits is easier when the hair is still damp from shampooing.
Wash combs, brushes, clothing, caps, headbands, linen and other personal items in soap and hot water. All clothing/linen used in the past 48 hours should be laundered on hot cycle and placed in dryer for at least 30 minutes on hot cycle. Vacuum carpets, sofas, mattresses, cloth car headrest, etc. Spraying the pesticide that usually comes with the kit is helpful in ridding lice from your bedding and furniture. Make sure the area is well ventilated.
Teach children to NOT trade or use others’ caps, hair bands or hair ties.
Stuff toy animals can be placed in a tied plastic bag for two weeks, or tied plastic bag in the freezer for two days.
Students found to be affected should be sent home from school. They will be permitted to return to school upon treatment at home after all nits are removed. This is a problem that can easily be solved by working together as we have in other areas.
While writing this article, the ‘itching’ kept me awake and when I lose sleep I think in Rhymes; so for your listening pleasure, you may want to read aloud.
Lice, the Uninvited Guest
By Wanda Smith
A friend came by one day,
Moved in, and planned to stay.
With no where else to go
Thought she’d visit for...oh,
Nine-ten days or so.
I didn’t even know she was there
Wiggling around in my hair.
She planned to stay awhile,
Didn’t tell me she was (ahem!) with child!
Let’s see, adult females can lay,
Between three to six eggs a day.
And with a nine to ten day life span
In a week, fifty new folks would torture any man.
By week two, there are more than just a few.
Because, soon these can hatch, and have a family, too!
I don’t know why my head was chosen.
For this nit and lice population explosion!!
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