All Out Comb Out: September is National Head Lice Prevention Month!

Newton, MA September 1, 2017

Learn What to Look for, and Regularly Comb the Children's Hair for Head Lice and Nits.

The National Pediculosis Association (NPA) is calling for parents to stay especially aware of the communicability of head lice and take the necessary steps towards sending their children to school free of lice and nits (lice eggs).

With school right around the corner, September 1st kicks off the 32nd National Head Lice Prevention Campaign, sponsored by headlice.org and the National Pediculosis Association (NPA). The NPA is calling for parents to stay especially aware of the communicability of head lice and take the necessary steps towards sending their children to school free of lice and nits (lice eggs).

For the 2017-2018 campaign, the NPA is reaching out with the story of “How Mary protected her kids from lice and risky chemicals.” The story reminds parents of the importance of having confidence that they can manage head lice safely and effectively at home and at the same time, protect their children’s classmates who are vulnerable to becoming infested from one another.

Mary is a conscientious mother of three who chooses organic foods and tries to avoid harsh cleaning chemicals. She wants her kids to be healthy, happy, and in school, ready to learn. But her kids were sent home from school with head lice. Mary was devastated and a little embarrassed. A million questions ran through her head (How did the school notice before she did? Where did they get it from? Why me? Do my neighbors know? Do I have to tell the other parents?).

The note from school recommended treatments from the drugstore, or she could ask her doctor for a prescription. While trying to read the unpronounceable chemical ingredients on the label, Mary remembered that 30 years ago her grandmother used a special comb and removed every louse and egg from her hair without a single chemical. The chemicals would kill the live lice. But what about any eggs? Mary didn’t want lice eggs left on her children’s hair and scalp, even if the eggs were dead. And the eggs that survived the harsh chemicals would hatch new lice, and the infestation would start all over again.

That’s when she realized the obvious. If the lice and eggs were properly removed, Mary wouldn’t need to put pesticides on her children’s head. So Mary said to herself, “I can do this,” got herself a LiceMeister comb, and with some time and attention, the mission was accomplished.

Mary is proud of herself. Her kids are lice and nit free, not exposed to risky chemicals and back to school without the worry of spreading these creepy pests to other children. And she can use the comb in the future to check her kids whenever she wants. She’s glad she remembered her grandmother’s loving care and sage advice.

The NPA encourages parents with four easy-to-remember steps to stay proactive, avoid the call from school, and assure that they are first to identify that their child is infested.

1. Be prepared by knowing how to accurately identify both lice and nits.
2. CombFirst! Screen your child’s hair regularly with a quality lice and nit removal comb.
3. Avoid risky chemical treatments and pesticides.
4. Detect and remove head lice infestations early when there are few lice and nits present.

By following these simple steps, there will be no need for students or parents to be caught by surprise, be treated with products that are risky and ineffective, or miss classroom time. The NPA endorses a “no nit policy” that advocates for the community to be prepared to manage head lice. It has also published the "Deceptive Dozen" which offers helpful tips on how to avoid the enormous amount of misleading information on the subject.

This school year, the NPA’s hope is that parents will work cooperatively regardless of school policy and take appropriate public health measures to be sure their kids arrive to school lice and nit free, and ready to learn. Maintaining that responsibility will -- as far as head lice are concerned -- ensure a safe and happy school year for the children, their families and the entire community.

How Mary protected her kids from lice and risky chemicals.

The goal of the campaign is to remind communities that Pediculosis (head lice) is a communicable disease affecting children across the nation. The NPA encourages everyone to be proactive and preventive, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and how it works to protect children from unnecessary exposure to potentially harmful pesticide shampoos and sprays. It also works to prevent a surprise phone call from school. # # #

The National Pediculosis Association®, Inc. (NPA) is a 501 c 3 non-profit volunteer organization, including scientific advisors dedicated to protecting children and their environment from the misuse and abuse of prescription and over-the-counter pesticide treatments for lice and scabies. Proceeds from the LiceMeister® comb allow the NPA to be self-sustaining, independent of industry and accomplish its mission. @TheLiceMeister on Twitter! Contact Information
Deborah Altschuler
NATIONAL PEDICULOSIS ASSOCIATION
@TheLiceMeister on Twitter!
(617) 905-0176