DID YOU KNOW – HEAD LICE IS CAUSE HAIR LOSS?

Lice are tiny insects that live on humans and feed on blood.  The lice is commonly found in small children as opposed to adults.  When a large number of lice live and multiply on a person, it is called an infestation. However you still ought to be wary because they can crawl and / or jump on top of your head, particularly when you are close contact with someone highly infected. Lice spread easily from one person to another through close contact or through shared clothing or personal item (such as hats or hairbrushes).  A louse cannot jump or fly.

The common symptom of lice is itching.  There are different symptoms depending on which type of lice you have. Lice are spread primarily by direct, head to head contact with an infested individual.  Indirect spread through share of personal items such combs, brushes, barrettes, hats, scarves, jackets, blankets, sheets and pillows is less likely but possible.

Using magnifying glass and natural light, carefully examine hair scalp sideburns eyebrows, beards and mustaches of all household members for lice and their eggs, called  nits.  Nits which are yellowish which in color and oval shaped, can be easier to locate than lice.  Nits are glued to the side of the hair shaft and can be found throughout the hair, especially at the back of the neck, behind the ears, and at the top of the head.  Don not confuse nits with dandruff or hair casts (material from the hair follicles).  Unilike a nit, dandruff can be flicked or blown out of the hair and hair casts can slide easily along the hair shaft. 

Tip:

Parents will be informed if there has been reported incidents of head lice in your child’s class.

In an effort to stop them from spreading, we would be grateful if you would carefully check

Your chilc’s hair.  If any lice or eggs are found, please follow these 3 steps at least every 3 days for 2 weeks.

Washthe hair – any shampoo will do

Condition the hair – any conditioner will do

This makes the hair slippery and tangle free

Use a head lice comb – start each stroke as close to the scalp as possible.

Ensure you remove any lice/eggs caught in the comb after each stroke and once the whole head of hair has been thoroughly combed, rinse the hair.

Please note, you will have to treat the whole family.

Our school nurse would be happy to check your child/s hair on your requests.

When that super expensive neem shampoo and conditioner is gone. 

We will continue with the high heat blow-drying after every shower.