Back-to-school means homework and head lice
Head lice infest 10 million to 12 million people each year in the U.S. People transfer head lice through direct contact or by using the same combs, brushes, hats or bedding. Children transmit lice to one another most often during the early fall back-to-school months, August through November, resulting in widespread infestations by December and January. Lice eggs, or "nits," are oval, white cylinders about 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm long, usually found glued to hairs near the scalp. Females' favorite places to glue the eggs are near the ears and back of the head. Individual reactions to louse bites vary considerably. People not previously exposed to lice usually experience little irritation from their first bite. After a short time, a person may become sensitized, causing reddening of the skin, itching and overall inflammation.
To prevent infestations, encourage children not to share combs, hats and other personal belongings. Daily changing of clothes will help discourage lice, as will keeping hair short. When children go back to school in the early fall (August through November), inspect for lice weekly. As soon as an infestation is detected, wash clothes and bedding in hot soapy water and put them in the dryer on high heat to kill lice and eggs. Seal items such as toys in plastic bags for seven to 10 days to kill adult lice. Prescription and nonprescription drugs are available to kill nymphs, adults and some eggs. Over-the-counter shampoos containing permethrin or pyrethrins (pyrethrum extract) as active ingredients should be effective. Remove eggs that remain attached to hair shafts as soon as possible with a special fine-toothed comb. Soak tools in a lice-killing solution such as rubbing alcohol after use. Treating objects such as toys with lice sprays is not recommended because lice cannot live off the host longer than a couple days.
Please visit the University of Florida's School IPM Web site (http://schoolipm.ifas.ufl.edu).
Edited by: Angela Brammer, University of Florida
