The Mullica Township Elementary School has recently mailed notices informing parents and guardians of a small head lice infestation at the school. The notice continues: This is a common problem not only nationwide, but all over the world. Remember, anyone can get head lice. The information found below will give you recommendations on how to control and prevent the problem if it should occur.

What are head lice?
Head lice are tiny, wingless, grayish-tan insects that live and breed in human hair. The eggs, called nits, are easier to see than the lice themselves and are usually found attached to hair shafts close to the scalp behind the ears and on the back of the head. Nits cannot be washed away like dirt or dandruff; they must be removed with a special comb designed for that purpose. Head lice can only survive for about half a day without a human host and cannot live on family pets.

How do they spread?
Head lice are very contagious. They are spread through the sharing of personal items such as combs, brushes, scarves, hats, headphones, sleeping bags and stuffed animals. To minimize the risk of repeated outbreaks, remind your children not to share these items.

How are they detected?
The first clue that a child has head lice is frequent scratching of the scalp. To check for infestation, carefully examine the hair around the back of the neck and behind the ears. Since head lice shy away from light, you may only see their eggs (nits), small whitish ovals of uniform size attached to the hair shaft.

How are they treated?
Head lice infestation can be treated with a head lice medication, called a pediculicide. There are several pediculicides on the market, and they come in a variety of forms; shampoo, creme rinse and lotion. Look for a treatment that kills the nits as well as the lice and offers protection from re-infestation.

Please notify the school nurse or principal immediately if you or your children should contract head lice. Remember, head lice can happen to anyone. Also, should you have any questions concerning head lice, please feel free to contact us at the school. (609) 561.3868

Mullica News would like to add that for additional information, photos and more regarding head lice, visit the Wikipedia article here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_lice