1

Back to School Dermatology – Lice

I have to admit that this time of year I usually get a little jealous when I see all those school supplies and back to school advertisements.  After spending a lot of years in school, it is hard to admit that my school days are over.  But YIPPEE the time has finally arrived that I can venture into those school supply aisles once again using Lily as an excuse.  Yes, Lily started kindergarten last week.  Seems like I just sent out her birth announcement, but my baby is growing up.  She had a delightful first week as I knew she would.  She loves school, just like her mama.  Hopefully she won’t attend 26 years of school before finally embarking on her career (It takes a LONG time to become a dermatologist).

In honor of the back to school season I thought I would do a series of blog posts about dermatologic conditions commonly seen and transmitted in school aged children.

Lice, bed bugs, molluscum, warts, impetigo and more, OH MY!  I have so much to look forward to…

We’ll start with lice….

Human head louse. By Gilles San Martin from Namur, Belgium (Male human head louse Uploaded by Jacopo Werther)
Human head louse. By Gilles San Martin from Namur, Belgium (Male human head louse Uploaded by Jacopo Werther)

There are actually a few different types of lice, but the head louse is more common in school aged children than body or pubic lice, so we’ll focus on those.

Happily, most cases of lice are detected and treated at home, school and the pediatrician.  We do, however, encounter a resistant case from time to time. There are countless videos and online articles.  I have collected some of the best references here for you.

The Centers for Disease Control has an excellent handout about lice.

And this is a great article and chart about myths about head lice.

Top myths regarding head lice…

1-You are more likely to get lice if you are dirty– Lice are not a respecter of persons. Jennifer Garner talks about her family’s encounter with lice.

2-Pets carry lice –The head louse is specific to humans, with the exception maybe beings some other primates. So, if you have an ape for a pet you can be concerned, otherwise, no worries.

3-Lice can jump and fly – They can crawl only, so direct head to head or hair to hair contact is usually required to acquire lice.

4-Houses can be infested with lice – Head lice need a blood meal every few hours and the warmth of the human scalp to survive. When off the human body, they cannot survive for more than 24 to 36 hours.  While it is recommended to do some general cleaning, laundering and vacuuming, there is no need to call an exterminator.

For great photos and tips check out these videos by the American Academy of Dermatology and Rid.

And now, I am itching and crawling and off to check Lily’s head while she sleeps…

 

What are the common dermatologic things I have to look forward to as a mom of a school aged child? What would you like me to write about next?