Head Lice Prevention for School-Aged Children

Head lice are insects that attach themselves to the hairs found on the scalp and neck of human beings. These parasites are equipped with six legs that are designed to attach themselves to the strands of hair at their base. Once attached to the hair they are able to survive, grow and reproduce.

The reproduction by the female is significant in that over 100 eggs can be deposited each day over a period of six weeks. It takes around eight days for the eggs to hatch. Not all of the laid eggs are fertilized. However, both fertilized and unfertilized eggs will lie on the scalp. These eggs can only be seen with the proper magnification.

Contrary to popular belief, lice are not able to fly nor are they able to leap from one host to another. Being diagnosed with head Lice is not an indication of the individual’s personal hygiene. Often lice are transferred from one individual to another individual through the sharing of combs or brushes.

When it comes to head Lice prevention, the old adage of an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure holds very true. Head Lice prevention can be accomplished in a number of ways.

Limit Transference

Children are especially susceptible to head lice. Therefore, head Lice prevention is best accomplished by limiting opportunities to transfer the lice from one individual to another. Limiting this transference is accomplished by educating the children as to how the head lice are transferred from one individual to another. Therefore, the children should be educated and instructed to know that the sharing of hats, use of combs and brushes and hair ornaments is a method of transferring and should be avoided.

Screenings

Another important component in providing head Lice prevention is to conduct frequent screenings. These screenings for head Lice can be conducted periodically by a school, clinic or other medical personnel. This periodic screening will help to reduce the severity of any outbreaks that may be experienced. In addition, screenings should be done on a regular basis by families.

Communication

Communication is critical when addressing head Lice prevention. This communication can take place in public settings such as a school sending flyers home with the students regarding the potential or occurrence of head Lice infection.

If an outbreak occurs, for example in a public school, notification of the outbreak should be communicated. In addition, the treatment for head Lice should be provided to the parent or guardian. It is also important to note that school children represent many social and economic backgrounds. The purchase of treatment products may be a financial problem for some families. Therefore, it is important that those families be identified and that treatments are provided at no cost.

Another important part of the communication process, in head Lice prevention, is that all individuals who are associated with school-age children are knowledgeable in identifying head lice. Therefore, it is important that teachers, teacher assistants, etc. are well acquainted with the symptoms and methods of transference.