Ronda-Clingman Elementary is just another in a long list of area schools that have to deal with head lice this year. Head lice is touted to be one of the most common occurrences in schools after the spread of the common cold, and this year, the H1N1 virus.

"There is not an infestation throughout the school," Sandra Burchette, principal of Ronda-Clingman Elementary said. "The problem seems to be contained in one classroom and we have taken all precaution at the school. We do not send out letters or notification to all the parents of the children when we have a lice incident. We want to protect the privacy of our students.

This is not a cleanliness issue. We have gone through all the steps with the school nurse and the infected children's parents. It is a lot of hard work to get rid of the lice once a child has gone home with them," she said. "Everything has to be cleaned and repeated treatments have to be given. I empathize with any parent who has to deal with this issue."

Each school system has its own policy on dealing with lice. Some school districts require that the child be picked up at school immediately if the lice are found at school, treated at home and the box top of the lice shampoo returned to the school with a signed statement that the parent has treated the child. Some policies require an additional day away from school. School systems in our area sent lice policy procedures home at the beginning of the year along with other school policy sheets or booklets.

Head Lice

Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp. They can be spread by close contact with other people. These lice only live in hair and occasionally eyebrows and eyelashes. The symptoms include intense itching of the scalp, small, red bumps on the scalp, neck, and shoulders (bumps may become crusty and ooze), and tiny white specks (eggs, or nits) on the bottom of each hair that are hard to get off.

Lice on the scalp and clothing may be difficult to see, unless the infestation is heavy. If you see something moving, it's called a louse. These are usually a grayish/black color, and when hair is parted and louse is disturbed, it can be seen moving along scalp.

The recommended treatment for lice is the use of a lotion or shampoo containing 1% permethrin. These products can be purchased at most drug stores without a prescription. If these do not work, a doctor can prescribe a stronger medicine. Such medicine should be used exactly as directed.

To use the medicine shampoo, first rinse and dry the hair. Then apply the medicine to the hair and scalp. After 10 minutes, rinse it off. Use the nit comb that comes with most packages of shampoo and comb through all strands of hair. It is best to do this over a towel to collect any nits or eggs that come out. Some people suggest purchasing a fine tooth metal comb for its durability in removing all nits.

Check for lice and nits again in 1 week and repeat the treatment if necessary.

Removing eggs may prevent the lice from returning if the medication fails to kill every one of them. Treat children and adults with lice promptly and thoroughly when discovered. Wash all clothes and bed linens in hot water with detergent. This also helps prevent head lice from spreading to others during the short period when head lice can survive off the human body. There is also a spray available for use on furniture, carpets and drapes that are not washable. Spraying pillows and mattresses and allowing to dry for several hours before replacing bed sheets and pillowcases will kill most eggs that make it onto these surfaces. If infestation becomes severe at home, there is a 'bomb' type spray that can be purchased. With this treatment, no pilot lights can be on in the house, all windows must be closed and interior doors open. Residents of the home must leave the residence for approximately four hours, setting off bomb(s) as they leave the premises. Foods must be covered or sealed and put in closed cabinets or refrigerator for protection.

Repeat treatment with another round of lice shampoo and combing for nits in 7-10 days.

Treatment can cause significant side effects in children younger than 6 months old, the elderly, and anyone weighing less than 110 lbs (50 kg), especially when the treatment is used repeatedly in a short period of time.

Head lice infect hair on the head. They are easiest to see on the neck and over the ears. Tiny eggs on the hair look like flakes of dandruff. However, instead of flaking off the scalp, they stay put. Head lice can survive up to 30 days on a human. Their eggs can live for more than 2 weeks.

Head lice spread easily. You can get head lice when you come in close contact with a person who has lice, or by touching their clothing or bedding. Head lice are more common in close, overcrowded living conditions. Lice spread easily among school children.

Having head lice does NOT mean the person has poor hygiene or low social status.

Having head lice causes intense itching, but does not lead to serious medical problems.

Unlike body lice, head lice never carry or spread diseases.

To see head lice, you need to look closely. Use disposable gloves and look at the person's head under a bright light. Full sun or the brightest lights in your home during daylight hours work well. A magnifying glass can also help. Part the hair all the way down to the scalp in very small sections, looking both for moving lice and eggs (nits). Look at the entire head this way. Look closely around the top of the neck and ears, the most common locations for eggs.

Lice are usually killed with proper treatment. However, lice may come back, especially if the source is not corrected. For example, a classroom with many infected children can cause kids to repeatedly get lice.

When one case is detected in a family or a school or child-care center, every child at that location should be examined for head lice. ThisÊcan help prevent further spreading.

Never share hair brushes, combs, hair pieces, hats, bedding, towels, or clothing with someone who has head lice. If your child has lice, be sure to check the school policies or those at day-care centers, preschools, and nurseries. Many do not allow infected children to be at school until the lice have been completely treated.

Some schools may have policies to make sure the environment is clear of lice. Sometimes, the insects or their eggs get into areas such as carpets. Frequent cleaning of carpets and all other surfaces in child-care centers prevents spread of all types of infections, including head lice. There are some people who can develop a secondary skin infection from scratching. Antihistamines can help with the relief of the itching.Ê

If the symptoms continue after home treatment, or if an area of red, tender skin develops, contact your doctor. Continual exposure to lice, treatment and scratching could cause an infection.