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PS 021 457

Altschuler, Deborah Z.; And OthersKeep Your Wits Not Your Nits: A Rational Approach toHead Lice from the National Pediculosis Association.Second Edition.National Pediculosis Association, Newton, MA.ISBN-1-880586-00-2Jul 9239p.National Pediculosis Association, P.O. Box 149,Newton, MA 02161.Guides Non-Classroom Use (055)

MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage.Child Health; Children; *Communicable Diseases;Elementary Secondary Education; Pesticides; PreschoolEducation; *Prevention*Childhood Illnesses; *Head Lice

This booklet was intended to teach parents about headlice, which are small, wingless, crawling insects that feed on humanblood. The booklet briefly discusses: (1) physical characteristics oflice; (2) ways of becoming infested with head lice, such as sharingcombs; (3) nits, which are the eggs of lice; (4) the difference

between nits and hair debris such as dandruff; (5) the use and

dangers of lice-killing insecticide products; (6) additional actions

that must be taken, such as washing all bedding and vacuuming rugs,when someone in the family is infested with lice; and (7) thenecessity of notifying the child's school and other parents in theneighborhood when parents discover their child is infested with lice.

(BC)

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Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made *

from the original document.***********************************************************************

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONOnce of Educational Rmarch and ImororementEDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION

CENTER (ERIC))(This documerf has been reproduced as

received from the person or organitationoriginating itC Minor changes have bean mad. to improve

reproduction quality

Points of view Or Opinions stated in thiS CIOCuwent do not necessarily reorasant otriCialERI positron or policy

API

A rational approachto head lice from

the National PediculosisAssociation.

./1444.

it/A2

Sit if I"PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THISMATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY

Lo co.

TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCESINFORMATION CENTER

The National Pediculosis Association wasincorporated in 1983 as the only non-profit

health agency established to build awarenessabout head lice and to standardize head lice

control policies nationwide. The NPA seeks todispel myths about pediculosis while

encouraging research and development forsafer and more effective management procedures.

Published by the National Pediculosis Associationin cooperation with the Massachusetts MedicalSociety Auxiliary, Waltham, Massachusetts.

Copynght ©1992 National Pediculosis Association.

All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof. may not bereproduced in any form without written permission.

ISBN: 1-880586-00-2

Written and designed by Deborah Z. Aitschuler. Linda Menditto.Don Salvucci and Jill Doherty.

Illustrations chosen from the annual National PediculosisAssociation's Head Lice Awareness Poster Contest.

I

First Edition March 1992Second Edition July 1992

Head lice are more prevalentamong American children

than all other communicablechildhood diseases combined.

This book has been developedas a teaching tool, and itscontents reflect the NPA's listof most frequently askedquestions. Parents who knowhow to detect head lice early canhelp minimize the disruptionhead lice can bring to families,schools, child care centers,and camps.

4

For the children

5

AcknowledgmentsThis book was printed with the generous support of

the Massachusetts Medical Society Auxiliary, and

reflects the NPA and MMSA's commitment tocooperative efforts in public health education.

A special note of thanks to the children across the

country, who through their illustrations, gave us their

impressions of head lice.

6

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BE SMARM R 110 THEMLisa RealbutoGrade 4

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Head lice are small, winglessinsects which feed on humanblood. They are about the sizeof sesame seeds and have sixlegs equipped with claws tograsp the hair.

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01--J of +hese rats! dia `

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Michelle SaxtonGrade 6

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Lice are crawling insects. Theycannot hop, jump, or fly. Petsdo not get head lice.

Se a -Prie hot 00/1 T shareC OM BS

Randy PinoGrade 2

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11

People get head lice...bydirect contact with someonewho has them or by sharinghats, brushes, combs, orheadrests.

I

13

Travis HartKindergarten

Head lice may often causeitching, a reminder to look forcrawling lice or their nits (liceeggs). Lice move quickly, so itis not uncommon to see onlynits. Head lice and their nits canalso be found in eyebrows andeyelashes.

Nits are small, oval-shapedeggs that are "glued" at anangle to the side of the hairshaft. They can be seenanywhere on the hair, especiallybehind the ears and at theback of the neck.

Kyli SantacroceGrade 3

t.-

7

Nits should not be confusedwith hair debris such as DECplugs and hair casts. DEC plugsare bright white, irregularly-shaped clumps of fat cellsstuck to the hair shaft. Haircasts are thin, elongated,cylinder-shaped segments ofdandruff which encircle the hairshaft and are easily dislodged.Head lice treatment is notappropriate for hair debris.

1 8

Head Lice.

T+15 everybodisproblem

Kerry St. PierreGrade 5

If you discover that someone inyour family is indeed infestedwith head lice, everyone in thehousehold should be checked.Only those who are infestedshould be treated, but theyshould be treated at the sametime, so they won't reinfesteach other. Various lice-killingproducts* are available at yourpharmacy. None is intended forroutine or preventive use.

*The NPA discourages the use of lindane products,such as KweII.

20

( i n ci

Corey CornettGrade 3

C

aEST COPY AVAILABLE

21

All lice-killing products arepesticides, and must be usedwith caution. Consult yourpharmacist or physician beforeapplying or using pesticideswhen the person involved ispregnant, nursing, has lice ornits in the eyebrows oreyelashes, has other healthproblems, has allergies, oris using medication.

Joshua ReedKindergarten

23

11*

otST COPY AVAILABLE

Head lice pesticides can beabsorbed into the body. Avoidapplying them when there areopen wounds on the scalp ofthe person to be treated or onthe hands of the person whowill apply the product. Avoidusing pesticides on a baby.

21

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Brian GoolsbyGrade 6

25BEST COPY AVAILABLE

I

Read the package directionscarefully. Use the productover the sink (not in the tub orshower). This will minimizepesticide absorption andexposure to the whole body.Be sure to keep the eyescovered.

26

Remove all nits. No licepesticide kills nits 100%, andnits that are left on the hair cancause diagnostic confusion.Thorough nit removal willreduce or eliminate the needfor additional treatments. Youcan remove them with a nitremoval comb, baby safetyscissors, or your fingernails.

28

Erin Mary CrokeGrade 1

29

Wash bedding and recentlyworn clothing in hot water,and dry in a hot dryer. Cleanyour combs and brushes, thensoak them in hot water (notboiling) for 10 minutes.

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Steven AnthonyGrade 4

31

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BEST COPY AVAILABLE

Do not use lice sprays.Vacuuming is the safest andbest way to remove lice orfallen hairs with attached nitsfrom furniture, mattresses,rugs, stuffed animals, toys andcar seats.

32

Al- k /3\

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Larry McCoyGrade 6

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AST COPY AVAILABLE.

Notify your child's school,camp, or child care provider.Notify neighborhood parents.

34

Jessica JollyGrade 3

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35

Check your children for head lice ona regular basis at least oncea week. This is the best way toprotect your family and yourcommunity.

36

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Erin Marie SullivanGrade 1

37

This book is one of the many head liceprevention resources from the NPA's Not justanother lousy catalog. Also featured in thecatalog is the NPA's new video on head liceprevention, detection, and treatment.

To order additional copies of this book, or toreceive a catalog, call 1-800-446-4NPA.

38

"Keep Your Wits, Not Your Nits has what you need to

know about head lice."Jeff M. Jel lin, Pharm. D.Editor, Pharmacist's Letter

"An authoritative, easy-to-read guide for parents and

early childhood professionals."Jill StraussAssociate EditorScholastic Pre-K Today Magazine

"At last, a parent-friendly approach to a common health

problem."Robert Truding, M.D., Ph.D.The Children's Hospital of Alabama

NPANATIONAL PEDICULOSIS ASSOCIATIONPO li()X 149. NIMTON. 02161. i6171 449- \II S

Working to keep head lice off our kids.

33

I

11 119 781880 586006

ISBN 1-880586-00-2ABM

1 2 9