With the start of school comes renewed concern from parents about their kids bringing home bugs in their hair. It’s said there are only two types of kids — those who have head lice and those at risk of getting head lice.
Nicole Peckumn at the Iowa Department of Public Health says the nits are found in all social classes and in all schools. Peckumn says the lice really enjoy a warm head of hair and those heads have to be close together for lice to jump from one head to the other. She says schools are encouraged to tell children not to trade hats or share combs or brushes. Despite common thought, she says lice are not usually spread while a child’s in school.
Peckumn says head lice are not a sign that someone is dirty — as anyone can get them. Peckumn says head lice is not a reportable disease to the state unless there’s a large outbreak. She says concerned parents can call their local county health department, or the state health department, to learn more about how to get rid of the pests. She says the simple cure involves following the directions for using an inexpensive medicated shampoo and a comb over 14 days. There’s a full account on the Iowa Department of Public Health website: “www.idph.state.ia.us”.
Related web sites:
IDPH info on head lice