September means children are back in school. They will be making a lot of new friends. But there is one friend you hope they don’t make, head lice!!!
Head lice, known officially as Pediculosis Capitus, is a parasitic insect the size of a pinhead, which infects the head. Parents bring their children to the ER because they are scratching their head and they think they have bad dandruff. The “dandruff” is actually tiny white eggs, called nits, which might look like dandruff, but can’t be brushed out. They may be seen with a black light and can be identified with certainty under a microscope. The head scratching is the most common symptom leading to its discovery.
Treatment includes six steps, which must all be done for a cure.
First, the infected person needs to be treated with one of several different medications. This includes those with the names RID (pyrethrin), NIX, Eli mite (permethrin), and eurax (crotamiton). There is shampoo made for the hair and one treatment is usually enough, but some prefer to repeat it in seven to eight days, because this is how long the eggs take to hatch.
Second step, nits or eggs must be removed and there is a special comb for the purpose. Clean nits from hair with warm vinegar for 30 minutes and comb with special comb.
If nits are present in the eyebrows or eyelashes, petroleum or Vaseline may be applied carefully overnight.
Third, clothing and the bedding is heat sterilized, which can be done by machine-washing them. Those articles of clothing that cannot be washed should be put away for ten days in plastic or dry-cleaned.
Fourth, all combs and other hair care products should be soaked in the shampoo and rinsed in hot water.
Fifth, other close family members need to be checked carefully and treated if need be.
Sixth, notify the school in order to limit the spread.
Treatment of Head Lice
1) Medication
2) Remove eggs
3) Clean clothing and bedding
4) Treat combs and brushes
5) Check family members
6) Notify School
After treatment, there may still be itching sometimes. This is not a continued infection, just a skin reaction and can be treated with benadryl or atarax. Complications include impetigo, which is a secondary bacterial infection from the scratching.
How does someone get infested?
Lice can be transferred from person to person by direct contact or via clothing, like hats, in which the louse can survive in for up to week.
Is it more common where unsanitary conditions exist and is there anyone in particular who gets it?
At one time we also thought that it was more common in unsanitary conditions, but now we know that this is not true, anyone can get it. Females are more prone than males and it is uncommon in blacks in this country.
Can I do anything to prevent getting infected?
Prevention, Prevention, prevention. When an outbreak occurs in your area, begin checking your children’s hair carefully for the next few weeks. Otherwise not much else can be done.
Contributed buy Bruce Bonanno,MD