Serving Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook Counties
DearParents/Guardians,
Headliceis a commonproblemamongchildren.Anyone can get head lice. Close head-to headcontact, orsharingofbrushes, hatsorpillowsisusuallyhow it spreads.Licedon'tflyorjump,andtheyneedhumanbloodtolive. Theydon'ttransmitdiseases,butinfectionscanoccurfromconstantscratchingofthescalp.
Ifachildcomestoschoolwithliceintheirhair,theywillbeseparatedfromotherchildrenandtheparentcalledtocometakethemhome. Specialcarewillbetakentoprotectthechild'sprivacy. Whentheparentarrives,aninstructionflieronhowtotreattheheadlicewillbegiventothem. Parentsshouldtreatthechildandanyotheraffectedmembers ofthefamilywithanappropriateliceshampoolikeRidorNix, andalsodotheirbesttoremoveallthenits(eggs)fromthehair. Washingthechild'sclothes,bedlinensandotherhouseholdmeasuresareimportantalso. Thiscanbeveryhardworkandtimeconsuming,butisthebestwaytoensurethatthecasewon'trecur. (Itemsthatcan'tbewashedcanbesealedinplasticgarbagebags for2weeks.)
Thechildcanreturnthenextschooldayifthechildwastreated,alllivelicearegoneandthehairisasnit-freeaspossible. Astaffpersonwillcheckthechild'shairuponreturntoschool. Itisrecommendedthatyoushampoothechild'shairandanyotheraffectedfamilymember'shairasecondtime7-10dayslaterandcontinuetolookfor andremoveanynits. Usingtheliceshampoomoreoftenthanrecommendedcanbeharmful,andifyourchildhasasthmaoraseizuredisorder,youmaywanttocontacttheirdoctorbeforeusingthem. Someliceareresistanttobeingkilledbytheshampoo,socareful effort toeithercombout(withaspeciallicecomb)orhandremovealltheliceandnitsisoftenthemosteffectivetreatment.
THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT PROVIDES FREE LICE SHAMPOO FOR THOSE ON O.H.P.
Ifyouhavequestions,pleasecontactyourchild'sschool.
EI/ECSEConsulting Nurse
/ ______2804 SW 6th Street * Redmond, OR 97756 * 541-693-5600
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