Head Lice in schools

Pediculus Capitis

Head lice are often a problem in schools. With the correct care and advice, headlice in schools would be a thing of the passed. Many prescription and over the counter products will remove head lice from an individual. However re-infestations are common. Why is this you may ask?

We offer an onsite service and advice to schools. Please contact the helpline for further advice on 0207 404 0072.

Head lice (aka. pediculus capitis) are animal parasites which live off a human host. These grey coloured, wingless, six legged crab like creatures that measure 1.0-3.0 mm. They tend to attach themselves to the hair shafts near the hairline at the nape and around the ears. They require warm environment and nourishment in the form of human blood to survive. The female may produce a total of 300 ova in a lifetime (9-12 per day). The louse possesses a flattened jointed body with jointed limbs (Arthropoda), each leg is equipped with a claw which it used to attach itself to hair shaft. It has a total of two antennae.

Social status or levels of personal cleanliness do not reduce infestation. Long haired female children within crowded environments are at greatest risk as this gives the lice the best opportunity to pass from one child to anther. Fastidiously clean hair provides no immunity to infestation. Adults are significantly less vulnerable to infestation as they produce a natural pesticide.

Direct contact is the main cause of head lice spreading - head to head contact, the sharing of headwear, sharing combs and brushes. Head lice may survive on combs brushes, chair backs, hats, scarves for up to 48 hours of host. As they do not survive off-host beyond this period, fumigation or spraying premises is probably unnecessary.

Head lice attaches it's Ova (egg or 'nit') onto the hair shaft approx. 2-4 mm above scalp level. The ova then hatch within a period of 5-8 days. The vacated 'shell' remains attached to the hair shaft and becomes increasingly distanced from scalp level due to hair growth at the nominal 1-2 cm per month.
Ova cannot be removed by shampooing alone, but may be combed out of the hair in some cases.

Symptoms: irritation scratching and possible secondary bacterial infection as well as the feeling that something is crawling on the scalp.

Treatment

Many treatments for headlice (parasiticides) act on the central nervous system of the louse. Infestation may respond to chemical treatments formulated either as creams, shampoos, or lotions.
Over the counter medicines tend to be effective (e.g. the permethrin based products).
A head lice repellent containing Piperonal 2% (Rappell) is available and can be an effective avoidance technique.
Hedrin suffocates the louse.
You should take advice regarding such local treatment from a registered pharmacy, trichologist, healthcentre, school nurse.

These chemicals are also inherently toxic to humans so care should be taken when using. Consult a doctor before using these medicines on infants or during pregnancy.
Alternative: Daily application of a heavy thick creamy conditioner and then comb with a fine tooth-comb to dislodge the creatures preferably over a basin.
As re-infestation requires just one hidden egg to hatch, continue this daily procedure for several weeks after the last creature has been thus removed.

Thorough treatment of an infested person may involve the removal of all clothing, and treating the person with the parasiticide. All family members may be treated on the same day.
Clothes and bedclothes should be isolated in plastic bags for 14 days, then dry cleaned.
Alternative: Place items in a freezer. Freezing for a minimum period of six hours is lethal to ova and lice.
Very short hair reduces the probability of infestation / re-infestation.

 

 

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