GOOD HANDWASHING is like a “do-it-yourself” vaccine. You can keep yourself and your child healthy from respiratory and diarrhea illnesses by performing the 5 simple and effective steps of hand washing: wet, lather, scrub, rinse, and dry. Perform regular hand washing before and after activities. Keep hands away from nose, mouth, and eyes since these are areas where germs enter the body.
PEDICULOSIS - Although there is head lice year round, it is more prevalent in fall and winter. It is important for parents to check their child’s head on a regular basis.
Here is what to look for:
· Lice are wingless insects about the size of sesame seed. They can adapt color to their surroundings, so some are brown or black (on people with dark hair) and some are grey-white (on people with light hair). They can be found on the hair shaft or on the scalp. They are not easily seen because they “hide” from light and go where it is darkest. That means they like to be buried under layers of hair, which is usually the crown and back of the head.
· The eggs of the louse are called “nits”. They are silvery white and teardrop shaped.
· Each one is glued to a single hair shaft. Nits do not move easily. Each nit must be removed by pulling it to the end of the hair shaft (with a nit comb or by hand). If you see white flecks in the hair, try to brush them away. If they move easily, they are more likely dry scalp or dandruff, not nits.
· Having lice has nothing to do with cleanliness. Anyone, adult or child, can get head lice. The most common symptom of infestation is intense itching on the back of the head or neck.
· Transmission from person to person occurs by direct contact or indirectly by contact with their personal belongings such as hats, combs, towels, barrettes, headphones, etc. You should encourage your child to keep these things to him or herself and not borrow them from others.