Head lice have been on the increase for the last decade because they are becoming more tolerant (resistant) to conventional treatments that contain widely used active ingredients such as permethrin and lindane. The development of lice resistant to lindane and permethrin and reduced efficacy of natural pyrethrins has resulted in the highest prevalence of head lice in the United States in 50 years. Parents are spending hundreds of dollars on head lice products that do not meet their purported claims. This leads to overuse of pesticides and use of dangerous alternatives. Furthermore, the weakening efficacy of these products against live lice and their eggs makes it more difficult for parents who use them to achieve the "no nit" policy instituted by most school systems. Inappropriate diagnosis of head lice infestations is responsible for many children being kept out of school. Hair spray, gel, dandruff, pseudo-nits and other debris are often confused with lice eggs (nits). Hatched out, non-viable nits from previous head lice infestations are treated as if they were infectious. School personnel making decisions on head lice infestations need to be better trained in identification and diagnosis of this common health problem. Often children are sent home from school and treated with a pediculicide unnecessarily. The safety, toxicity and efficacy of currently available treatments will be discussed. Resistance to current therapies will be explored and future treatment options will be described.
Learning Objectives: 1- Articulate treatment options for head lice infestations 2- Discuss home remedies and other non-traditional treatments 3- Identify cases of resistant lice 4- Determine whether an infestation is active 5- Recognize whether a nit is viable or non-viable 6 - Discuss nit combing and the no-nit policy
Keywords: School Health, Emerging Health Issues
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.