Virginia OMalley Are tiny parasitic insects about the size of a sesame seed Have six claws that are used to cling to hair shaft Are tan brown or grey in color Can only live on a human head and feed on human blood ID: 927227
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Slide1
Head Lice: What You Should Know
Virginia O’Malley
Slide2Are tiny parasitic insects about the size of a sesame seed.
Have six claws that are used to “cling” to hair shaft.
Are tan, brown or grey in color.
Can only live on a human head and feed on human bloodCan move very fast and are hard to see.Are wingless and do not jump or fly – they crawl. Are not a health hazard, do not cause diseasesAre not a sign of poor hygiene.(Frankowski, 2010)(CDC, 2013)
Head Lice/Pediculosis
Slide3Who gets lice?
In the U.S. it is estimated 6-12 million infestations of head lice occur each year in children ages 3-11yrs.
Almost
anyone can get head lice.Preschool or elementary school aged children, and persons who live with them, are the most commonly affected.How does a person get lice?Spread by direct head-to-head contact with an already infested person.
They do not
live off the head for long, so it is uncommon to spread head lice by contact with clothing or other personal
items.Your pets cannot get or transmit lice.(CDC, 2013)
Lice Facts
Slide4Nits
Lice eggs laid by adult female
Teardrop/oval shaped
Attached to the hair shaft, with a glue like substanceYellowish or white Often confused with dandruff
Cannot
be brushed off
Nymph Are baby/immature louseGrows to adult size in
9-12 days
Found on the scalp or in the hair
Adult louse Size of a sesame seed Lives about 30 days on a persons headLay about 6 eggs a day. Commonly behind the ears and near the neckline*You may see all stages present at the same time(CDC, 2013)
Stages of Head Lice
Slide5Life Cycle
Slide6Tickling
feeling on the scalp
or hair, like something is moving
Itching (allergic response from the louse’s bite) may start after 4 to 6 weeks after initial infestation Since lice are more active in the dark, may experience irritability and difficulty sleepingSores on the head from scratching
Seeing a live nymph or louse is the best way to confirm having head lice!
(CDC, 2013)
(Frankowski, 2010)
Symptoms of Possible Head Lice
Slide7What Do You See?
Slide8Only treat persons with evidence of live infestation.
Everyone in the household should be regularly checked for live lice.
Consult your physician for pediculicide recommendation and follow instructions per label or box.
Do make sure to consult your physician for retreatment if needed. Continue to check the hair every 2-3 days for 2-3 weeksDo not over-treat. Resistance to some over-the-counter medications has been reported. (CDC, 2013)(Frankowski, 2010)Treatment Considerations
Slide9Full grown/adult head
lice survive less than 1-2 days, and
nits usually die
within a week once they fall off a person and cannot feedDo not use insecticide fumigants or fogs; they are not necessary and may be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skinMachine wash in hot water any bed linens and recently used clothes, hats and
towels. Disinfect combs, brushes and hair clips in
very hot water or sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks
(CDC, 2013)
Environmental Care
Slide10Misdiagnosis results
in unnecessary
treatments
“No Nit” policies keep children out of classroomImproper use of treatment, whether overuse or underuse, can lead to resistanceIndirect cost – childcare expense, lost wagesDirect cost – pediculicides, office visits, laundryCaregiver strain (Sciscione, 2007)
Challenges and Issues with Head Lice
Slide11Moved away from No-Nit Policy
Students with live lice will be dismissed. Parent/guardian will be notified via telephone and a note sent home with student.
Treatment is required before returning to school
Upon returning to school, student must be escorted by an adult and the school nurse will check for continued presence of live lice. Classrooms are not routinely screenedNotices are not routinely sent homeConfidentiality must be and will be maintained (Sciscione, 2007)School Procedure
Slide12But can be managed
Head Lice are Here to Stay
Slide13Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Biology. Retrieved from
http
://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/biology.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Epidemiology & risk factors. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/epi.htmlCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Head lice information for schools. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/schools.htmlCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Prevention & control. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/prevent.htmlCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Treatment. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html
Frankowski, B., & Bocchini
,
J.r. (2010). Head lice. Pediatric, 126(2), 392-403. doi:10.1542/peds.2010-1308
Sciscione, P., & Krause-
Parello
, C.A. (2007). No-Nit policies in schools: Time for change. The Journal of School Nursing, 23(1), 13-20. doi:10.1177/10598405070230010301References