Bug Busting
We ask all parents/carers to participate in a bug busting day every term to minimise headlice in Glenmanor. The best method of detection of head lice is the wet combing method. This method is described in detail in the “Head Lice: Information for Parents” Publication (Reprinted in 2010), which is available on the NHS website www.healthscotland.com
I have copied and pasted relevant information from the publication for you below.
“Head Lice: Information for Parents” Publication (Reprinted 2010)
Detection
Head lice can’t be prevented but regular checking ensures early detection and treatment if necessary. The best detection method is wet combing (see below). Parents and carers should aim to check their children’s hair once a week during hair washing. You need your usual shampoo, ordinary conditioner and a louse detection comb. Remember that you are looking for living moving head lice – the only evidence that your child has a head lice infection. The comb must be fine enough to catch the lice. Your pharmacist should be able to recommend a suitable one.
Treatment
There are two treatment options. One is to use INSECTICIDE LOTION and the other is removal by BUG BUSTING. Both are available on prescription from your doctor and from nurse prescribers (some practice nurses and health visitors) or over the counter at you local pharmacy.
Lotion
You can ask your school nurse, health visitor, pharmacist or doctor which lotion is most effective. People with asthma or allergies, pregnant or breast feeding mothers, and parents/carers of very young children should always ask their doctor or pharmacist which treatments are safe for them.
Note the following when using lotion –
- Do not use lotion unless you find a living, moving louse. Head lice may become resistant to lotions if they are used too often.
- If live head lice are still being found after two treatments, ask your doctor, pharmacist, health visitor or school nurse for advice.
- Follow the instructions on the packet carefully. These will tell you how to apply the lotion, how long to leave it on the hair and when any repeat application is required for the treatment to be effective. The treatment method may vary between different lotions.
- Although the lotion will kill the lice, it will not kill the eggs. You will need to apply the lotion again after 7 days to kill any newly hatched baby lice. Again, this procedure may vary between different lotions, so follow the instructions on the packet carefully.
- Treatment does not prevent infections.
Bug Busting
This is a non-insecticide alternative to lotions that involves combing out all lice with a fine-toothed detection comb using the wet combing method described below. To be effective, BUG BUSTING needs to be repeated every 3 days for up to 3 weeks to ensure that all head lice are removed.
The “Bug Buster Kit” is available on prescription. Only one kit is required for a family and it is reusable. The kit, which includes an illustrated guide and combs for the detection and removal of head lice, is available from some pharmacies and also by mail order from –
Community Hygiene Concern,
(Charity Reg No 801371),
6-9 Manor Gardens,
London N7 6LA
Help Line: 020 7686 4321
Website: www.nits.net/bugbusting
Wet Combing
- Shampoo the hair, rinse, apply lots of conditioner and use a wide-toothed comb to untangle and straighten.
- Once the tangles have gone, section the hair and comb with a fine-toothed detection comb from root to end. Comb one section at a time, paying particular attention to the back of the neck and the area around the ears.
- Check the comb for live lice between each stroke and remove them.
- When the whole head of hair has been combed through and checked, rinse off the conditioner.
- Check all family members at the same time and arrange treatment if lice are found.
If you discover head lice, inform any close contacts, so they and their families know they should check too.
The time required to wet comb the whole head can range from 2 minutes for short, straight hair to 30 minutes for long, curly hair.
Alert Letters from Schools
You may find that your child’s school no longer sends out letters to alert parents that a child in the school has head lice. There are a few reasons for this. Most schools are likely to have a few pupils who have head lice at any one time. On that basis, ‘alert’ letters could potentially be required every day of the school year. ‘Alert’ letters also frequently lead parents to attempt to treat their child preventatively, which is neither effective nor advised. Head lice infection cannot be prevented, and over-use of insecticide treatments may lead to resistance.
Schools should, though, provide helpful information to parents about the detection and treatment of head lice on a regular basis, for example at the start of a new term.
See www.healthscotland.com for further information on tips and facts about head lice.
