Lakewood, NJ ---- As children head back to school, every day brings something new – a backpack full of new books, stories of new friends, new things they’ve learned and unfortunately, sometimes a new case of head lice. September is National Head Lice Awareness Month, a good time to learn what you can do to prevent and treat head lice.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), preschool and elementary school children ages three through ten and their families have the greatest risk of exposure to head lice. As many as six to 12 million people around the world get head lice every year. Girls and women get head lice more often, however everyone is at risk.

"Head lice is transmitted through head-to-head contact with a person who is already infested," explains Robert Shanik, MD, a pediatrician on staff at Kimball Medical Center. "Typically we find that kids can be exposed almost anywhere: at school, home, during sporting activities, on the playground, when they’re at camp or at slumber parties. Sharing items like combs, brushes, towels, hats or lying on a bed, couch, pillow, carpet, or stuffed animal that has recently been in contact with an infested person can also spread head lice," he adds.

Known as Pediculus humanus capitis, head lice are tiny parasitic insects that spend their entire lifecycle – about 30 days – on the human scalp feeding off of blood several times each day. Without a host, the louse will die within a day or so. The adult louse is about the size of a sesame seed, has six legs and is grayish-tan in color. Females are slightly larger in size and lay up to eight nits per day. The nits – tiny, oval-shaped eggs, yellow to white in color – are attached tightly to the hair shaft, usually near the scalp. They take anywhere from six to nine days to hatch. Once hatched, the baby lice, known as nymphs, resemble adult lice but are about the size of a pinhead. Nymphs take just seven days to mature to adult lice and the cycle begins again.

Because of their color and size, head lice can be difficult to detect, and nits are often mistaken for dandruff. "If your child has a persistent scalp itch, sores on the scalp from scratching, is irritable or complains of a strange, ticklish feeling – caused by lice moving through the hair – you could be dealing with an infestation," says Dr. Shanik. Head lice are most commonly found on the scalp, but they can also be found behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the neck, as well.

According to the doctor, while sores on the scalp from scratching can result in a bacterial infection, head lice themselves are rarely a health threat. "Dealing with an infestation, however," he says, "can be unpleasant and tedious. Treating your child’s scalp is just the first step. Clothing, bedding and other things your child has been in contact have to be cleaned and treated as well."

Prescription and non-prescription anti-lice shampoos and rinses are available in your local drug and grocery stores. Dr. Shanik stresses the importance of carefully following manufacturer's directions. "Always check with your child’s doctor or local pharmacist first though to determine which product is best for your family."

"After shampooing, the most important thing is to get the nits (lice eggs) out," he adds. "If you don't get rid of the nits from the hair, you will have real trouble eradicating the lice." Remove nits with a fine-toothed comb. Start at the top of the scalp and pull the comb through the hair slowly. Clean the comb thoroughly as you go.

For children under two years of age, the doctor says fine tooth combing after ordinary shampooing can sometimes be effective in removing lice and nits, but this method requires diligence. "Washing and combing the hair every three to four days for two weeks until no lice or nits are detected, may eradicate the infestation," he says. "Your family doctor may also recommend prescription topicals that are safer for young children," he adds.

According to the doctor, in addition to treating your child’s scalp, all clothing and bedding they wore or touched should be machine washed, in hot water, or dry-cleaned before treatment. "Items like stuffed animals or comforters that cannot be washed or dry-cleaned should be placed into a plastic bag and sealed for two weeks. And the floor and furniture in your home should be thoroughly vacuumed. Avoid fumigant sprays," he adds, "which can be toxic if inhaled. Remember to clean all combs and brushes with soap and hot water or disinfectant. Check your child’s head every day for two to three weeks after treatment for any evidence of a new infestation."

Dr. Shanik says it’s important to note that the presence of head lice is not an indication of poor hygiene habits. "Head lice spreads easily and in some cases it can be impossible to avoid. Back to school should be a fun time for children and their parents, so in order to avoid an infestation, make sure your children know not to share things like hats, helmets, combs, brushes, or other personal items with others. With a little prevention you can hopefully avoid head lice altogether," he adds.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Shanik or another pediatrician on staff at Kimball Medical Center, please call the Barnabas Health Care Link at 1-888-724-7123.

Date: August 24, 2009

CONTACT: Carrie Cristello
Director, Public Relations
732-923-6552
ccristello@barnabashealth.org

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