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CD-ROM Today (UK) (Spanish) 15
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02417.txt
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1994-01-17
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$Unique_ID{BRK02417}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{What Should Be Done for Head Lice?}
$Subject{head lice invasion headgear heads louse nits nit-picking nit skin
hair scalp delouse delousing parasite parasites bugs prevention treatment}
$Volume{L-20,A-20}
$Log{}
Copyright (c) 1992,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
What Should Be Done for Head Lice?
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QUESTION: School has just begun, and I already have a note from the school
nurse that there is a case of head lice in my daughter's class. It seems that
this happens just about every year at this time. What's a mother to do? I
don't want my daughter to bring those things into our house, and I can't keep
her home from school. Any words of wisdom would be most appreciated.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANSWER: You are right. This is the time, each year when school health and
parents are on the alert for the lice invasion. Your best protection and your
best hope for prevention is a bit of understanding of the problem. Since head
lice neither jump nor fly, they get from one head to another when youngsters
swap headgear of any kind. That means hats, earmuffs, and the ever present
headsets on their Walkman or radios. Sharing combs and brushes, to put
hairdos back in place probably tops the list of actions that help the lice get
from one head to another. Warn your daughter about all such activity.
Another path opens when headgear is all piled together in the closets or
lockers, or where children share storage space for personal belongings.
To prevent spread in your home, start inspecting your own children's
heads on a weekly basis, and continue through the lice season which lasts
through November. Look for those tiny oval shaped silver colored nits (the
eggs of the head louse), and which are only as big as the head of a needle. A
magnifying glass will make your task easier. Should you make such a discovery
you will need the help of a special shampoo, which contains a medication
specifically designed to kill off the lice. There are several available over
the counter, and your pharmacist can help you select an effective preparation.
In some cases a single application will do the job, and following the
directions provided with the medication is very important. You will also have
to comb out the nits, using a special comb that is provided with many of the
shampoos (yes, it is called "nit-picking"), for many schools will not allow
your child back until she is nit free. You will also clean up her
environment, clothing, sheets pillowcases and the like. Items that can be
washed should be washed in very hot water and left in a dryer (set on high)
for at least 20 minutes. Blankets and stuffed animals can be sealed in a
plastic bag for 14 days, which will also kill the "buggers" who need to be in
contact with human hosts to survive.
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.