Just in time for the start of the traditional school year, a strain of drug-resistant head lice has spread into North Carolina, according to the American Chemical Society.
Head lice of all kinds can spread quickly especially within a classroom. Often times because students share combs and brushes, hats, and other items. Experts say even a hug with head contact gives the lice an opportunity to move from child to child.
Researches with ACS said lice began to mutate after years and years of using the same products to get rid of the insects. The typical treatment is an over-the-counter shampoo containing insecticides called pyrethroids, but the new strain of lice appears to have developed a genetic resistance.
The Guilford County Health Department said it has dealt with drug resistant lice before.
"We have had to recommend that students and their families see a healthcare provider for prescription medications. So, we have had cases over the years that have been resistant and a little more difficult to treat," School Health Nursing Supervisor Susan Hawks said.
The health department works with Guilford County Schools. Its 33 nurses rotate between 125 schools. They train at least two people at each school to check for lice in case a nurse isn't available. Hawks said more than any other illness, parents are typically the most frustrated if one of their children get lice. She said a few years ago in Guilford, an entire squad of cheerleaders got lice after a sleepover.
"Very important that after you treat you use a fine-tooth comb to try to remove all the eggs because no shampoo is considered, none of the treatments are considered 100 percent effective," Hawks said.
As many as 12 million school-age kids, mostly between 3 and 11 years of age get lice each year.
Along with schools, child care providers keep an eye out for lice.
"We encourage our children not to share things like brushes or combs or hats and then on our side we separate their belongings with cubbies and hooks that are spaced apart," Grant Chilton said, owner of Kids 'R' Kids in Greensboro.
Chilton said children with lice are sent home and then the rest of the parents are notified, so they can keep a close eye on their own kids.
"It is such a contagious issue and it spreads so quickly. If you're not on it right off the bat, it can be very difficult to get rid of," he said.
Hawks said scratching near the ears and base of the neck is a common sign of lice. Once you find the bugs on your child, she said it's important to start treatment right away. Then, wash all clothing and bedding.
Schools across the Triad have their own policies when it comes to head lice. Check out what different districts do below:
Guilford County Schools: Click for policy
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools: Click for policy
Davidson County Schools: Any student identified with head lice and/or nits (eggs) will be sent home for treatment of the lice and removal of nits from the hair. A packet containing lice and nit removal instructions will be sent
home for the parents. Students will not be allowed to return to school until all lice/nits are removed. Realizing that the removal of lice/nits may require a lot of work and time, the students should be
lice/nit free and back in school within two (2) days of being sent home. Those two (2) days will be counted as excused. If the student is sent home before they have been counted for the day, the day the student is sent home will count as the first of the two (2) excused days. If the student has been counted for the day, the following day will be the first of the two (2) excused days. The child will be checked upon return to school by the school designee. If a student is sent home after being checked it will be treated as the same occurrence with the subsequent consecutive absences being unexcused. The first three (3) occurrences will be excused, with two (2) days allowed to clear the lice/nits. After the third occurrence, all subsequent absences resulting from lice and/or nits will be counted as unexcused and subject to the consequence as set forth in the Davidson County Schools' attendance policy.
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