Wintertime Is Prime Time for Head Lice: What Parents Need to Know

Follow Drugslib on

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.

By India Edwards HealthDay Reporter

SATURDAY, Dec. 14, 2024 -- Head lice can be a wintertime headache for families and schools, but simple precautions can stop the spread of these pesky parasites.

Every year, 6 million to 12 million children in the United States, ages 3 to 11, experience head lice infestations, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Contrary to popular belief, these tiny insects don’t jump or fly, said Ali Wurster, a nurse practitioner with the Texas A&M Health Mobile Health Clinic.

“They actually crawl,” Wurster explained in a university release. “A kid can be sitting in a classroom even a foot away from another child, and if their heads don't touch, the lice are not going to jump onto someone else.”

While many believe individuals with dirty or unclean hair are more likely to attract lice, the reverse is true, Wurster said. The small, sesame seed-sized parasites prefer a clean scalp.

They spread most commonly among school-aged children through shared items like hats, coats, brushes or dress-up clothes, which present prime modes of transfer for the parasites.

To prevent head lice, avoid sharing hats, brushes or clothing. School staff should regularly sanitize common items. Wurster also recommended keeping heads apart during nap time to further deter spread.

While not harmful, head lice can cause significant discomfort and should be mitigated as soon as possible both to ease symptoms and stymie further spread.

If lice are found, treatment is straightforward. Over-the-counter and prescription topical creams such as Nix and Permethrin work effectively, Wurster said. After applying the treatment, remove lice eggs (nits) with a fine-toothed comb, seal them in a plastic bag and repeat treatment in seven days if needed.

Wash clothing, bedding and other fabric items in hot water and dry on high heat. Non-washable items, like stuffed animals, should be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks.

The CDC no longer requires children with lice to be sent home immediately; they can finish the school day, begin treatment after school, and return the next day.

Despite misconceptions, families and schools can quickly address and oftentimes prevent head lice with an accurate understanding of how the parasites spread and best practices for treatment.

SOURCE: Texas A&M Health, news release, Dec. 9, 2024

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2024-12-15 00:00

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords