Schools on high alert for head lice as peak period for nits begins
Schools are on high alert for head lice as pupils’ return to the playground makes a haven for the dreaded nits. This is what you can do to treat your child if they’ve caught a case of the contagious critters.
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Schools are on high alert for head lice as pupils’ return to the playground makes a haven for the contagious critters.
Primary and even secondary schools across Melbourne have sent out newsletter alerts to parents this month about infestations in their campuses.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD GETS HEAD LICE
THE LINK BETWEEN SMARTPHONES AND LICE
A primary school in Melbourne’s north reported “several cases of head lice” in the past two weeks, urging families to “please check your child’s hair over the weekend and treat if necessary”.
An inner-city high school has also had an outbreak among Year 9 students.
While the creepy crawlies can come at any time during the year — to hair that is dirty or clean — Australian Medical Association president Tony Bartone said now was a peak period for the dreaded nits.
“You’ll find at this time of year during summer and back-to-school it becomes more prevalent,” he said. “We tend to play harder and play longer and there’s more interactivity over the summer months.”
LICE PROVING A COSTLY BUSINESS
He said lice can be treated using simple solutions at home, or through stronger medicine found at the pharmacy.
Pharmacy Guild Victoria president Anthony Tassone said there had been an influx of parents seeking head lice treatments at his Clyde store.
He said one in four children would be infected with it at some point.
“Back to school is often a peak time because of children playing together,” he said.
“There are treatment options you can get over the counter but there is not one treatment that is 100 per cent effective.
“You should rotate treatments so the lice don’t build up an immunity. Don’t let kids share hats and when washing sheets, dry them in the sun because lice are photophobic.
“These lice are tricky little things — they can even hold their breath under water.”
Mr Tassone said families should ask their pharmacist for best treatments for their child.
Head lice is not a notifiable condition and the Department of Education does not keep data on instances in schools.
PUNCHES THROWN IN VIOLENT SCHOOL FIGHTS
Campuses are also not required to notify or record cases, although they can legally exclude students from schools until the day after they begin to treat live lice.
“Parents should regularly check for lice or eggs in their children’s hair, notify the school if their child is affected with head lice, and keep them at home until treatment has commenced,” a Department of Education spokeswoman said.
HOW TO STAY AHEAD OF LICE
■ Routinely check for lice or eggs in the hair.
■ If found, do not send a child to school with untreated head lice.
■ Check all family members and treat them.
■ Notify the school.
■ Use a head lice lotion or shampoo, carefully following the instructions.
■ Follow up treatment as recommended, usually a week, as eggs take six to seven days to hatch.
■ Non-chemical option is to use a cheap conditioner and comb with a fine lice comb every two days until no live lice have been found for 10 days.
■ Keep hair tied up as head to head contact is how they are transmitted.
■ Head lice may develop resistance to some chemicals so change it up.
■ As head lice live for a short time off the head, experts say washing the pillowcase, rather than all bedding, is recommended.
■ Teach children about how lice are spread. Beware of selfies, sleepovers and sharing hats and combs.
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