Dear MS Parents,
It has been discovered that head lice have been found in the Middle School student population. This letter is a communication tool, so that you may be aware, and be checking your student at home. We STRONGLY urge all parents to check through their son or daughter’s hair as a preventive measure.
FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LICE:
- Lice are small grayish-to-brown, wingless bugs about the size of an ant or sesame seed. Head lice are found on, and feed off the head.
- Lice can live approx. 2 days off the body. They cannot hop, they cannot fly.
- Lice lay tiny oval, tan nits (eggs). Nits are not to be confused with dandruff, which is flaky, or with droplets of hair product, which can form very small white casts around each hair. Dandruff and the residual of hair products are easily removed from hair. However, head lice attach the eggs to hair strands with a very sticky substance, and they are difficult to remove from the hair strand. Lice and nits cannot be removed with regular shampoo and hair washing, and will not come out with routine combing or brushing. Lice must be treated with medicated shampoo, and all nits (eggs) MUST be removed by hand. There are no products that kill the nits.
- Lice are transmitted from one person to another through close direct contact, or sharing combs, brushes, coats, caps, hats, scarves and upholstered seats. If a child brings them home, other family members may get them. The first sign of lice may be intense itching. The lice or eggs may be seen. Red marks may appear. It is possible for skin irritation and/or infection to occur as the result of repeated scratching.
WHAT TO D0 IF YOU DISCOVER LICE OR THEIR EGGS:
- Medicated shampoos and creams are available in Thailand at most pharmacies. Please follow the instructions thoroughly. (Some treatments are to be applied to dry hair, and some need to be applied to wet hair). The treatment must be repeated after one week. Please read and follow ALL label directions.
- Please contact the school nurse if you think your child has lice, so that the problem can be monitored in the school. We are ready to help you with teaching, assistance with head checks and suggestions of treatment products.
- The nits (eggs) MUST be removed by hand, otherwise, they will remain on the hair, and will hatch causing a continuation of the problem, and causing you to begin all measures over again.
- If you have an active case of lice, you must check your child’s head every day, for three to four weeks.
- Use a strong light, directed on your child’s head while checking and removing nits. Again, hand removal is the MOST effective method of removing nits. The medicated shampoos do not kill nits.
- Once head lice enter a home, they can move from one person to another, through close direct contact and use of shared items. Therefore, as soon as one family member is known to have lice, it becomes essential to do each of the following;
- Inspect all members of the family daily for 3-4 weeks, and proceed with treatment when other family members are found to have head lice.
- Wash and change linens daily, and wash and change the child’s clothing daily. Please also remember to wash your child’s backpack and refrain from use until the case of head lice is resolved. Wash in HOT water, and then place items in the dryer on HOT setting for one hour. Follow this measure for anything that comes in contact with your child’s head. Completely change undergarments, clothing, nightwear and bedding every day.
- For any stuffed animal or clothing, which may be ruined by a hot wash and dryer for an hour, you may place these items in a plastic bag, and seal it for 1 week.
- Sterilize combs and brushes in boiling water or rubbing alcohol for 1 hour.
- Vacuum furniture-front and back. Vacuum mattress seams, and the area around the child’s bed. Vacuum the car seats and upholstery. Vacuum the family area where your child sits.
CAN IT HAPPEN AGAIN?
Unfortunately, there is no immunity from head lice. And, if a thorough job is not done in removing all eggs, a new crop of lice will hatch, and the problem will be ongoing. If lice are in your household, please remember to:
- Follow through with above measures.
- Remind children not to borrow any item, which may have come in contact with another person’s head or clothing (comb, brush, hair band, hat, cap, scarf, clothing, coat, etc.).
- Regularly inspect all family members, adults and children, for any new infestation, and treat as directed.
Thank you for taking the time to read through this important material. Your assistance and understanding are much appreciated. If you have any questions, or you need further instruction about head lice management, you are welcome to call the Health Office at 02-963-5800 ext. 1129 or 1143.