[SutherlandMatters] An Important Message from Our Nurse, Mrs. Souder

[David Rogers]

There have been a few cases of head lice recently at Sutherland.  Lice
are small, flat, wingless insects (parasites) about the size of a sesame
seed.  They spend their life cycle on the scalp of the host; separated
from the host they will die after about 24 hours.  Head lice deposit
eggs on hair strands by gluing the egg to the shaft.  The louse develops
from eggs (nits) that have an incubation period of about 1 week.  After
hatching the nymph, or young louse, takes about 2 weeks to mature and
begin laying more eggs.  As mature adults, lice survive about 1 month,
females producing 5 to 10 eggs daily (i.e. up to 300 eggs for 1 louse in
a lifetime).

 

Spread most likely occurs by direct head to head contact.  It may also
occur (but probably less likely) by contact with lice-infected clothing,
bedding, brushes, combs, hats, or similar items.  Lice can spread even
where the general level of cleanliness is high.  Head lice tend to
infect grade-school children and their family members, but classmates
using the articles listed above are also common targets.

 

Head lice should be suspected when there is intense itching and
scratching of the scalp and the back of the neck, or when there is known
infestation in the environment.  Check the hair by separating hair in
consecutive areas of the head, looking either for the actual louse
(which frequently is not seen) or the nits (more commonly seen).  The
eggs (nits) will look like white, whitish-gray, brownish or yellow tiny
"tear drops" firmly attached to the hair shaft.  The nits may be
mistaken for dandruff but nits are firmly attached to the hair, and
usually are seen within one inch from the scalp (but may be further out
on the hair shaft).

 

A person with head lice should treat his/her head with a shampoo
specific for head lice (a pediculicide).  Non-prescription shampoo is
recommended and may be obtained at local drugstores.  Directions should
be followed carefully.  Some manufacturers recommend repeating the
treatment in 10 days to kill newly-hatched lice that the first treatment
may not have killed.  It is important to follow directions carefully and
not to over treat because of possible toxic effects.

 

Dead nits may be removed with a nit comb frequently supplied with the
shampoo.  The nits are sometimes difficult to remove and require
persistence.  

 

Washable clothing, towels and bed linens that have been in contact with
the infested individual should be washed in hot water and detergent.
Unwashable clothing and other articles may be tumbled in a hot dryer for
20 minutes or sealed in a plastic bag for several days.  Combs and
brushes should be soaked in the lice shampoo, hot water and dish
detergent for one hour, or rubbing alcohol.  Rugs, furniture, pillows,
and mattresses should be vacuumed as well as the car seats.

 

Family members should be checked for lice and treated, if necessary.
Close contacts in the classroom of children in elementary school and
their siblings should be checked.   In middle and high schools, family
members and close contacts should be checked.  A second recheck is also
recommended ten days later. 

 

If you determine your child has head lice, please inform the school
clinic.  This information is kept confidential but allows follow-up with
your child and determination of other children who may also have head
lice and hopefully reduce further spread.   If you have any questions,
please contact the school nurse, your physician, or the health
department.  

 

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