1. Fact vs. myth Morris School District January, 2016

2. Lice Basics The adult head louse is 2 to 3 mm long. It has six legs.

3. More basics The female louse can lay up to 10 eggs per day and can live for up to 3 to 4 weeks. After the eggs are laid, they need body heat to stay warm and should hatch in 8 to 9 days.

4. The eggs The female louse lays her eggs attached to the hair shaft, close to the scalp (within about ¼ inch of the scalp), so they can develop at the proper temperature. The eggs is firmly held to the hair shaft by a special “glue” produced by the female louse. (Frankowski, 2010)

5. What am I looking for? The lice bugs are grayish brown in color. Once hatched, the empty egg may appear clear or white. Eggs are often seen at the back of the head or nape of neck or around the ears. (Frankowski, 2010)

6. What am I looking for? Diagnosis is made by finding a live, crawling louse on the head.

7. Other views

8. How long do lice live? Head lice, removed from the head, usually live last than one day. This is due to their need for warmth and a steady blood supply to feed.

9. Lice movement Lice move from person to person by head- to-head contact. (Frankowski, 2010) LICE cannot hop, fly, or swim. They can only crawl.

10. What about sharing hats or combs? Lice found on combs, etc. are likely injured or dead. Also: Healthy lice less likely to crawl away from their food source. Chances that a louse can be transferred to a fresh head via other items such as helmets, coats or headphones is near ZERO. (SchoolHealth, 2012).

11. What about coats? The chance that a louse can crawl from a head to a jacket to another jacket and up to another head is estimated to be 1 in 100,000.(SchoolHealth.com, 2012)

12. What about my pets? Human head lice CANNOT be transmitted to or by pets. Human head lice are specific to humans. (Ashton, 2002).

13. What about the eggs? Eggs alone, are not proof of active, live lice infestation. (Mumeuoglu, 2007). Eggs could be left over from an earlier infestation that is no longer active. (Pollack, R., 2000).

14. Is it an egg? The difference between developing eggs and empty eggs is not easy for the naked eye to distinguish, according to researchers. Dandruff, dirt, scabs and even knotted hair have been confused with eggs. (Pollack, R., 2000).

15. Itchy? The most common symptom of a lice infestation is itching on the scalp. The itching is a reaction to the louse saliva. (Frankowski, 2010).

16. How can we prevent lice? The BEST way to avoid getting head lice is to limit opportunities for head-to-head contact.. (Frankowski, 2010).

17. How is it treated? There are two ways to get rid of lice: 1. Mechanical removal (combing) 2. Anti-lice treatments (over-the-counter or prescriptions) with follow-up combing.

18. How to comb Head lice and their eggs may be removed from the hair by combing the hair with a louse or nit comb. Sometimes, using water or conditioners on the hair may make combing easier, but can also make eggs difficult to see. (Pollack, 2010).

19. “Natural” Treatments Natural products are not required to meet FDA standards for pharmaceuticals. While there are many “essential oil” products on the market, their make up is varied, so it is hard to prove their effectiveness. (Frankowski, 2010). There is only one study that demonstrated the use of citronella as a lice repellent is effective. No studies exist about rosemary, tea tree or lavender oils. (Mumcuoglu, 2007).

20. Home Remedies Household products such as petroleum jelly, mayonnaise and olive oil may appear to kill lice at first, but after rinsing, the lice can start breathing again. (Meinking, 2010).

21. In addition... Using vinegar or vinegar-based products to loosen the ‘glue’ that attaches the nits to hair has not been shown to be effective. Vinegar may also interfere with the activity of certain over the counter chemicals, when used together. (Frankowski, 2010).

22. PARENT’S ROLE Check you child’s head daily. If you find a live louse, you should remove it. Treat either by thoroughly combing your child or using an over-the- counter product and combing. Alert the school nurse and any friends your child may have had any close contact with. Launder all bedding & coats. Secure all stuffed toys in plastic bags for 3 weeks. Vacuum sofas, rugs & car.

23. Morris School District Tip Sheet Includes information about :  Lice are...  LICE IS NOT...  DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE LICE?  HOW DID MY CHILD GET LICE?  TREATMENT  How do I clean my house?

24. References Ashton, R., Duggal, H., Simpson, J., & Burgess, I. (2002). Head Lice: Evidence –based guidelines based on the Stafford Report. Journal of Family Health Care, 1-21. Frankowski, B a. (2010). Clinical report—head lice. American Academy of Pediatrics, 392-403. Hansen, R. C. (2004). The state of head lice management and control. The American Journal of Managed Care. 1-2. Meinking, T.L. (2010). The Clinical Trials Supporting Benzyl Alcohol Lotion 5%(Ulesfia TM): A Safe and effective topical treatment for head lice (Pediculosis Humanus Capitis). Pediatric Dermatology, 19-24. Mumcuoglu, K. (2007). International Guidelines for effective control of head louse infections. Journal of Drugs in Dermatolog, 409-414..

25. References Pollack, R., Kiszewski, A., and Speilman, A. (2000).Overdiagnosis and consequent mismanagement of head louse infestations in North America. Pediatric Infections Disease Journal. 689-693. SchoolNurse.com (Producer).(2012) Head louse infestations: Evidence-based strategies and best practices for tackling head lice [Video webcast]. Retrieved from http://www.schoolhealth.com.

26. Questions? Thank you for everyone who came and listened to our program.