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Module 6: Healthy Practices: Safety and WellnessHead Lice |
Page 9
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When there is an outbreak of head lice, all staff, adults, and children should be checked on a daily basis. If head lice or nits are found, the person will need to be asked to leave the center. The staff, adults, or children having head lice/nits may return after treatment and when all nits have been removed.
A letter should be sent home to notify all families when a head lice outbreak occurs.
To maintain a healthy environment, you will need to recognize head lice. Head lice are small insects that live on people's hair and scalp. They are about one-tenth to one-eighth of an inch in length. They have no wings and do not fly. They have six pairs of hooks in their mouths. With these hooks, they attach themselves to the hair shaft. Short legs and large claws help them keep their grip on hair. They produce small round eggs, called nits. These nits look like grains of sand.
It is difficult to see head lice with the naked eye. However, there are several signs you can recognize. Look for the following:
The best way to get rid of head lice is to seek medical help.
Most physicians prescribe a medical shampoo or lotion. All family members should be treated. Doctors also suggest boiling or dry-cleaning all hats, combs, brushes, clothing, bedding, and furry toys. Items that cannot be washed or dry-cleaned should be sealed in a plastic bag for 30 days, which is the life cycle of the louse. Rugs, upholstered furniture, and mattresses should be vacuumed. Combs and brushes should be boiled for 10 minutes or soaked for one hour in a bleach solution.
A letter should be sent home to notify all families when a head lice outbreak occurs.
To maintain a healthy environment, you will need to recognize head lice. Head lice are small insects that live on people's hair and scalp. They are about one-tenth to one-eighth of an inch in length. They have no wings and do not fly. They have six pairs of hooks in their mouths. With these hooks, they attach themselves to the hair shaft. Short legs and large claws help them keep their grip on hair. They produce small round eggs, called nits. These nits look like grains of sand.
It is difficult to see head lice with the naked eye. However, there are several signs you can recognize. Look for the following:
- A constant itch of the scalp, especially behind the ears and at the base of the scalp. Often the child will have infected scratches or a rash on the scalp.
- Small, silvery eggs attached to individual hairs. Usually a magnifying glass will help reveal these.
- In severe cases, lymph glands may swell in the neck or under the arm.
- Head lice can spread through direct contact with the hair. Combs, brushes, hats, and bedding are key sources of transportation. Head lice can also crawl from person to person.
The best way to get rid of head lice is to seek medical help.
Most physicians prescribe a medical shampoo or lotion. All family members should be treated. Doctors also suggest boiling or dry-cleaning all hats, combs, brushes, clothing, bedding, and furry toys. Items that cannot be washed or dry-cleaned should be sealed in a plastic bag for 30 days, which is the life cycle of the louse. Rugs, upholstered furniture, and mattresses should be vacuumed. Combs and brushes should be boiled for 10 minutes or soaked for one hour in a bleach solution.
The course does not "save" your progress. Use the checklist provided to track your progress, and click on the link in the menu to return to where you left off in the training.