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Posts Tagged ‘Head Lice’

How To Deal with Head Lice As the School Season Begins. By Our Student Pharmacist, Reham Okab.

lice

Back to school season has officially begun. This means that many kids are coming in close contact with each other at school or during their after school activities. Besides getting sick, during this season, there is quite an increase in the number of head lice cases.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are an estimated 6-12 million cases of head lice each year among children aged 3-11 years old in the United States.

In this post, I will be discussing head lice, including what it is and how it can be treated.

So what exactly is head lice and what does it look like?

Head lice, or pediculus humanus capitisi, is an insect that lives on hair shafts, the back of the ears, neck, eyebrows, and eyelashes. Lice feeds off the blood in the scalp.

The life cycle of lice is three weeks. Lice start off in the egg (nit) form, then become a nymph, and then an adult. All three forms are very small in size, but they can still be detected with the naked eye. The eggs are yellow/white color and they are often mistaken for dandruff. The nymphs and adults can be seen moving on the hair.

What are the symptoms? How do you confirm an active case?

The most common symptom of head lice is itching of the scalp. By looking for moving nymphs or adult forms, one can confirm an active case of head lice.

rid

What over-the-counter products are used for the treatment?

Nix (permethrin) and Rid (pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide) are both effective treatment options. They work by causing paralysis and death of the lice.

Nix is applied to damp hair after shampooing; it is left on for 10 minutes and then rinsed with warm water. It is important to note that one must not use conditioner for their hair before using this product. Retreatment is not needed with Nix as it has a prolonged effect for up to 10 days after its use. The only time retreatment is needed is if active lice is detected 7-12 days after its use. Nix can be used in children 2 months and older.

Rid is a shampoo product that must be applied to dry hair and left on for 10 minutes. Afterwards, the hair should be wetted, messaged, and rinsed. Unlike Nix, treatment with Rid must be repeated 7-12 days after the first time to ensure all of the eggs have been killed. Rid can only be used in children 2 years and older.

Both products are fairly simple to use. It is important to follow the directions on the package and make sure the product you chose is age appropriate. Regardless of the product chosen, a nit comb is recommended to brush out the lice from the hair.

nix

What should be done to avoid the spread?

Lice can not fly, therefore the only way that they can infect others is via close contact. The best way to avoid infecting more people is to avoid close contact with others, especially if the person contracted lice. Avoid sharing personal items such as hats, hair brushes, and towels.

In the event of an infestation (besides treating the patient), you will want to make sure you wash any bedding, toys, and/or personal items such as towels and clothing. If it is something that can be placed in the washer, wash it on the highest temperature setting. If it cannot be placed in the washer, seal the item(s) in a plastic bag for two weeks; the idea behind this is to suffocate the lice. Checking all household members or others who came in close contact with the person who contracted lice is also important.

It can be a little overwhelming if your child contracts head lice. It is important to remind yourself that just because it was contracted it does not mean your family has poor hygienic practices or your child’s school is not clean.

If you have any questions or concerns on the topic, contact your pharmacist. They will be happy to help!

Doctor,Using,Nit,Comb,On,Little,Girl's,Hair,Indoors.,Anti

 

Head Lice 101. By Our August Student Pharmacist, Mackenzie Gill.

lice pic 1Parents of school-aged children are all too familiar with head lice. Whether you’ve received notice that someone in your child’s class has lice or your own child has lice, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and a little helpless. But never fear! We will walk you through everything you need to know to conquer those pesky mites.

First and foremost: having head lice does not mean you are dirty! Head lice actually thrive in clean hair. Head lice are also extremely common. Between 6-12 million cases of head lice occur each year in children between the ages of 3-11. Head lice are spread primarily by head-to-head contact. This means children who play or go to school together are at the greatest risk.

So how do you get rid of head lice?

There are multiple options!

The two major over-the-counter products are:

  • Nix which contains permethrin
  • RID which contains pyrethrins

They are both considered equally effective. The major difference is permethrin (Nix) does not require a repeat application. Both products also include a lice comb to tease out the mites. Directions for specific use of these products will be included in their packaging. The pharmacy is always happy to help explain, as well.

lice pic 4

Manual removal is also becoming a popular choice for families. There are Lice Salons in the central Ohio area that will remove the lice manually using a Nit comb and other non-medicated products. The major downfall for this option is it is more expensive. Services range in price from about $100-$150.

No matter which method you choose for removal of lice from the head, it is important to also wash clothing, bedding, brushes, and hair accessories that were used during the head lice infestation. You do NOT need to wash your entire wardrobe or replace furniture, including your mattress! Lice don’t live on pets and cannot survive long at all once they leave the warmth of your hair.

It’s important to remember that getting lice happens. Just breathe and don’t panic. And if you have any further questions you can always call or stop into Plain City Druggist. We are always happy to help!

lice pic 2

No More Mr. Lice Guy. By Our August Student Pharmacist, Grace Kilbane.

This is my first blog EVER, so naturally I chose to write about lice!!

Each August, kids squeeze every last minute out of summer, parents go back-to-school shopping, and pharmacies stock up on nit combs. Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and dish the dirt on lice.

The human head louse is a parasite that lives on the scalp, feeding on human blood. Lice have specialized legs that grip human head hair. Head lice do not spread disease, but can cause intense itching. The eggs of the louse are called “nits,” and the adult glues them to the hair shaft.

Lice outbreaks are associated with close personal contact, not with poor hygiene. Lice commonly spread in elementary schools and day care centers where children interact closely.

Avoid sharing hats, brushes, stuffed animals, towels, or pillows to help stop the spread of lice. Wash clothing and bed linens in hot water (>130 ⁰ F), vacuum often, and examine children regularly if an outbreak is suspected.

There are many treatments available to treat lice including non-drug, over-the-counter, and prescription treatments. You’ll notice the details depend on which method you use, so double check directions with the pharmacy. Not to be “nit-picky,” but incorrectly using the medication or method will leave you scratching your head.

Over-the-Counter Options 

  • Rid: Apply to DRY hair and massage until wet. Leave on for 10 minutes. Add water, work into a lather, and rinse thoroughly. Comb hair through with nit comb. MUST repeat in 7 – 10 days.
  • Nix: Apply to clean, towel-dried hair. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse thoroughly with water. Comb hair through with nit comb. May need to repeat in 7 – 10 days.

Prescription Options

  • Permethrin 1% (Nix): Apply to clean, towel-dried hair. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse thoroughly with water. Comb hair through with nit comb. May repeat in 7 – 10 days.
  • Permethrin 5% (Elimite): Apply to clean, dry hair and leave on overnight (8-14 hours) under shower cap. Then rinse thoroughly and comb hair through after rinsing.
  • Malathion (Ovide): Apply to dry hair and scalp until moistened. Shampoo out after 8-12 hours. Avoid open flame while treating.

Non-Drug Options

  • Daily wet combings: Wet hair with water and remove tangles with a comb. Start behind ears, separating hair into sections. Start at scalp and pull nit comb through to the end of hair. Wipe comb with a tissue or wet wipe and discard in plastic bag. Continue for hair all over head. Repeat until every part of head has been checked at least 5 times. When finished, tie up the plastic bag and discard in dumpster. Repeat combings daily for two (2) weeks. Wash comb under running tap water and use old toothbrush to clean. Wash comb in hot water for 10 minutes or store in freezer for 24 hours before re-using. This method requires a lot of time and persistence but is an option for those who would like to avoid the use of chemicals.

References:

Guidelines for Treatment of Pediculosis Capitis (Head Lice). Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection. August, 2008. Available from: http://www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/publications/head_lice_guidelines_for_treatment.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Head Lice. November 2010. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/index.html