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American Academy of Pediatrics Updates Head Lice Guidance

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American Academy of Pediatricians Updates Head Lice Guidance

 

In 2015 the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated its guidance on head lice treatment as new products were introduced after the academy’s 2010 report.  The new report was published in the journal Pediatrics, and it highlights some exciting new developments in the battle against head lice.

“Head lice infestation is associated with limited morbidity but causes a high level of anxiety among parents of school-aged children,” the report says. “Since the 2010 clinical report on head lice was published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, newer medications have been approved for the treatment of head lice. This revised clinical report clarifies current diagnosis and treatment protocols and provides guidance for the management of children with head lice in the school setting.”

The AAP recognizes that head lice in the United States have developed resistance to the most popular over-the-counter lice products (pediculicides). As a by-product of this resistance, some parents have over-applied the medications, hoping that using more of the products would make them more successful. The AAP warns against this, saying, “the potential for misdiagnosis and the resulting improper use of pediculicides and the emergence of resistance to both available and newer products, many without proof of efficacy or safety, call for increased physician involvement in the diagnosis and treatment.”

“The prevalence of resistance has not been systematically studied but seems to be highly variable from community to community and country to country.” In fact, the most recent study released shows 100 percent of lice in 42 states are resistant to the active ingredients in over-the-counter lice products.

“The ideal treatment of lice should be safe, free of toxic chemicals, readily available without a prescription, easy to use, effective, and inexpensive,” the report says.  The article notes that the overall spending on lice treatment has risen to nearly $1 billion annually, with as many as 12 million children contracting head lice each year.

AAP lists the AirAllé® as effective lice treatment device

For the first time, the AAP lists the AirAllé® medical device as an effective lice treatment device. “The AirAllé® (Larada Sciences, Salt Lake City, UT) device is a custom-built machine that uses one 30-minute application of hot air in an attempt to desiccate the lice. One study showed that subjects had nearly 100% mortality of eggs and 80% mortality of hatched lice.”

The AirAllé® device is the only treatment option listed in the AAP report that uses heated air. A clinical trial showed that the FDA-cleared medical device killed live lice and 99.2 percent of eggs. It uses nothing but heated air, carefully controlled and applied, to dehydrate lice and eggs. There are no chemicals involved and no nitpicking is required.

Lice treatment using the AirAllé® medical device is available exclusively at Lice Clinics of America treatment centers, where certified staff use the device to remove live lice and eggs. The process takes from 30-90 minutes, depending on the extent of the infestation and the length of the hair. Most clinics guarantee success as long as all household members are checked for head lice prior to treatment.

Lice Clinics of America has quickly become the largest network of professional lice treatment centers in the world. Some 180 clinics have opened in the United States to date with approximately 300 clinics worldwide.

Lice Clinics of America – Hudson Valley

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To learn more or to find a clinic near you, visit www.liceclinicsofamerica.com.

Kids in the Hudson Valley might get lice this Halloween. Here’s why.

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They feed on human blood and might go after your child this Halloween. This isn’t a joke. It’s lice.

Around Halloween, lice centers see a spike in cases, said Claire Roberts, CEO of Lice Clinics of America.

“Any time there are holidays and … and friends gathered together, particularly young age groups and they are hugging and putting their heads together, that’s how lice gets passed,” Roberts said.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports about 6 million to 12 million lice infestations in kids ages 3 through 11 years old each year.

During Halloween, risk is high, as children swap hats, hairbrushes, wigs and costumes. Roberts said most people shouldn’t worry about renting or borrowing costumes to wear in the future, because lice can’t survive without blood for 24 hours. (Also, 30 minutes in the dryer kills lice, she said.) But, swapping headgear back and forth could spread lice.

“A parent should be aware and they should check their child’s head over the next few days and weeks afterwards,” Roberts said.

Read the full story on USA Today

OUR NEW CT LOCATION: 11 STONY HILL ROAD IN BETHEL

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Stephanie Knecht knew there had to be a better way to treat head lice.

“Most of the over-the-counter and prescription drug products are ineffective and the repetitive treatments and lengthy comb outs seemed like such an unnecessary strain on both children and parents,” Knecht said. “The whole process can be overwhelming and frustrating to families, leaving them unsure of where to turn for help.”

Knecht did some research and discovered Lice Clinics of America, which kills lice and lice eggs using heated air distributed through an AirAlle device. She was so impressed with the results and company that she will open her own clinic, Lice Clinics of America-Danbury, convenient for many Hudson Valley families at 11 Stony Hill Road in Bethel.

 “I was energized to see that there is a better treatment that is effective, quick, easy and affordable,” she said.

Lice Clinics of America-Danbury will provide screening, diagnosis and treatment options for people infested with head lice. It is staffed by certified operators of the AirAllé device, which is FDA-cleared and patented. It dehydrates lice and lice eggs, or nits, using heated air. The treatment takes about one hour and comes with a 30-day guarantee.

“It kills even the so-called super lice,” Knecht said.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there are six to 12 million instances of lice infestation each year in the U.S. Infestations are most common among young children. Lice move by crawling and cannot hop or fly. Lice are spread mostly through direct contact with the hair of an infested person, according to the CDC.

The clinic is open seven days per week by appointment. To reach Lice Clinics of America Connecticut, call 866-470-4360.

THIS YEAR, LICE WILL STEAL $14,000 FROM YOUR SCHOOL

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According to national averages for public schools,* 22% of the children in your school will have lice this year and they will miss about 2 days of school trying to take care of it. Every day your child is absent, his or her school will lose an average of $70.

But real problem isn’t the lice, it’s the ignorance about lice. If more moms understood how ineffective over-the-counter treatments and home remedies are, they would seek out solutions that really work. The better the solution, the fewer days missed. And that’s good news for both you and your school.

Click here for a comparison of lice treatments that have been clinically tested.

*based on statistical information from National Center of Education Statistics

Unsuspecting moms cause spread of lice

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Most moms want the best for their children and are diligent about keeping them safe and healthy. When they discover their child has head lice they often become desperate and frantically search for a cure. Unfortunately, there is a lot of incorrect information out there.

Well-meaning friends or relatives might suggest home treatments such as mayonnaise or petroleum jelly. Some of these remedies actually do kill some of the lice. However, they have no effect at all on the eggs. Other moms will run to the drugstore and buy over-the-counter remedies only to discover they are less than 50% effective.

Unfortunately, many moms will try over-the-counter treatments again and again only to end up with the same results: their children still have lice. And the longer their  children have lice, the more likely they are to spread it to others.

The good news is that there are effective ways to treat your children. For example, heated-air technology has been clinically proven to kill lice and their eggs. Many mothers also report that comb-out services from professional nit pickers can be effective, but may take several hours to complete, and may require additional at-home combing or repeat treatments for up to two weeks.

Our hope is that moms will end the stress and aggravation caused by head lice by spreading the truth about what really works, and what doesn’t. Because, the spread of truth reduces the spread of lice.

Share Songs & Stories At Camp, Not Pillows

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Summer camp conjures images of singing songs around the campfire and sharing stories and s’mores. But there are things kids should be cautioned about sharing at camp in order to prevent them from contracting head lice, says Dr. Krista Lauer, Medical Director at Lice Clinics of America.

“Head lice spread primarily through head-to-head or hair-to-hair contact,” Dr. Lauer said. “At camp, kids are sharing tents and cabins and sleeping and playing in close proximity, so the risk is there.”

In a 2016 study by researchers at the University of Michigan Mott Children’s Hospital, 60 percent of camp leaders said lice infections were a substantial burden on staff and the camper’s family.

The problem may be getting worse as so-called “super lice,” lice that have developed resistance to the most common over-the-counter products, have been found in 98 percent of lice tested in 48 states.

Dr. Lauer says there are ways to reduce the risk of head lice infestations at camp. The first step is to check children’s heads before camp starts to make sure they aren’t bringing lice with them. A professional check a facility like a Lice Clinics of America clinic is advised, she said, as it can be hard to see lice or eggs (nits) with an untrained eye.

“We encourage children with long hair to wear it pulled back to reduce accidental hair-to-hair contact,” Dr. Lauer said. “Parents can also instruct children to avoid sharing pillows and bunks whether while sleeping or just hanging out in their cabins.”

Lice Clinics of America also offers preventative shampoo and sprays that kids can take with them to camp and use like they might use mosquito repellent. The shampoo can be used when showering, and the spray can be used as extra protection throughout the day.

It’s also important to check your child for lice when they come home, Lauer said. It can take a few weeks for symptoms like itching to develop, so it’s a good idea to play it safe and perform a second inspection when camp ends.

For parents that find lice on their child’s head before or after camp, Dr. Lauer ‘s message is to keep calm and take it in stride. “Lice are a nuisance more than a health problem, and there is no relationship between head lice and hygiene,” she said.

Dr. Lauer also points out that there is now a fast, safe, medically proven treatment available with Lice Clinics of America’s AirAllé medical device. The AirAllé is an FDA-cleared Class I medical device that is clinically proven to kill live lice and more than 99 percent of nits in a single hour-long treatment. The device, developed by scientists at the University of Utah, uses carefully controlled warm air to dehydrate the lice. Because it is chemical-free, it is effective against super lice.

With 150 clinics in the United States and another 100 in 20 countries around the world, Lice Clinics of America is the largest and fastest-growing network of professional lice treatment centers in the world.

Source: https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/06/16/1025254/0/en/Share-Songs-and-Stories-Not-Pillows-At-Summer-Camp-Lice-Expert-Advises.html

 

Up To 3/4 of Lice Population Now Resistant To Conventional Treatments

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CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – You have heard about lice, but what about “super lice?”

Lice has become resistant to conventional shampoo treatments. A study of lice by UMass Amherst pesticide toxicologist John Marshall found that 2/3 to 3/4 of lice are now immune to conventional treatments, and are classified as “super lice.”

Lice is most commonly spread when people touch heads, and children remain particularly at risk, because school is still in session.

It is harder to remove lice from long hair than it is from short hair, because of small lice known as “nits.”

Dr. Yolanda Lenzy of Lenzy Dermatology and Hair Loss Center in Chicopee told 22News how to get rid of “super lice.”

“Lice, just like bacteria, can become resistant when exposed to the same agents over and over again. So with anything, it is important to rotate treatment plans when something is not working,” Lenzy said.

Pesticide resistance dates back to World War II.

The FDA has approved three prescription treatments to get rid of lice, which suffocates the lice with a high level of alcohol.

It’s important to remember that just because someone has lice, it does not necessarily mean that they are unclean.

Source:  WWLP.com

Hudson Valley Parents & School Professionals: Study Links Chemicals in OTC Head Lice Treatments to Abnormal Behavior in Children

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Head Lice Toxic ChemicalsA new study published in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine has linked a common chemical found in head lice treatments to behavioral difficulties in children.

More reasons why you should entrust Lice Clinics of America Hudson Valley for head lice removal. We never use toxic chemicals or pesticides – just heated air!

Click here to read more about these important findings.

Hudson Valley Head Lice Selfies

HEAD LICE: WHAT HUDSON VALLEY SCHOOL LEADERS NEED TO KNOW

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For School Professionals by Dr. Krista Lauer, LCA Medical Director

girls

Originally Published On Board Online • February 6 2017

By Krista Lauer, M.D.

No school leader or parent wants to get the dreaded news that head lice are affecting students. People fear head lice more than spiders, bed bugs and even serious health concerns like Lyme disease and influenza.

It is unfortunate that something so tiny (an adult head louse is 2-3 millimeters in size) generates such a disproportionate amount of fear. Myths and misconceptions seem omnipresent in conversations about head lice.

Here is some information to ensure your school policies are based on facts, not fear.

How common are cases of head lice?

It is estimated that there are 6 to 12 million new cases of head lice diagnosed in children ages 3 to 11 each year. This often results in school absences, lost time from work for parents or caregivers, and social isolation for the affected child and their extended family.

Are head lice a serious health threat?

No. Head lice do not transmit infections and they are not a communicable disease.

How do infestations occur?

First, let’s bust the myth involving transmission through inanimate objects such as combs, brushes, hats, headphones or helmets. That’s possible, but rare. Hatched lice (the singular is louse) feed on blood, and they cannot survive off the scalp for more than two days. In the vast majority of cases involving children, transmission occurs after they touch each other (particularly head-to-head contact) when interacting at sleepovers, play dates, etc. If a child has head lice, family members and people who share a bed should be checked. But there is no basis to treat a person’s environment such as car seats or stuffed toys.

Do infestations of head lice coincide with bad hygiene?

Another myth! The truth is that an infestation has nothing to do with personal hygiene. Head lice do not discriminate. Infestations can be found in all socioeconomic groups. They affect men, women, boys and girls.

What is the life cycle of a louse?

A louse begins as an egg or nit. About a millimeter long, it attaches itself firmly to an individual hair strand close to the scalp. After 7 to 10 days, the nit hatches and becomes a nymph and begins to feed on blood if it is close enough to the scalp. In the next nine to 12 days, the nymph matures into an adult louse, which can lay eggs. Mature lice can live about three to four weeks.

Should children with head lice be prevented from attending school?

No, for three reasons. First, it is not uncommon for a child to be misdiagnosed as having lice. Dandruff and hair products are frequently misidentified as lice. Second, by the time a child is found to have a head lice infestation, peers have already been exposed; keeping the child home is pointless. Finally, there is no evidence that keeping a child with nits or lice out of school prevents other children from becoming infested.

What do relevant medical organizations have to say?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated its recommendations in 2010 and suggested that schools adopt a “do not exclude” policy. The following year, the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) followed suit. It is now recommended that children not be sent home if they have lice eggs (nits) and even if they have live lice. (Editor’s note: NYSSBA’s Policy Services team recommends districts follow the NASN recommendations. However, affirmatively adopting a “do not exclude” policy is not necessary. Just don’t have an “exclude” policy.)

What’s wrong with having a “no nit” policy?

A “no nit” policy means that children are not allowed to return to school or the classroom until they have no remaining evidence of infestation, which isolates them and deprives them of learning opportunities. Although such policies are common, they have no basis in science or medicine and create many problems. First, such policies set parents on a quest to remove nits, and it’s a fool’s errand; nits are firmly cemented to the hair shaft and are not easily dislodged. Second, the mere presence of nits does not indicate active infestation; only nits that are located a half an inch or less from the scalp are likely to be viable. Third, there is no way to tell, using the naked eye, if a nit is viable or dead.

What are “super lice”?

At a widely publicized paper presented at the 2015 conference of the American Chemical Society, researcher Kyong Yoon of Southern Illinois University reported that lice populations in at least 25 states had developed resistance to permethrin, an insecticide in many over-the-counter treatments as well as chemical cousins called pyrethroids. He tested lice for a trio of genetic mutations known collectively as kdr, which stands for “knock-down resistance.” Samples from New York State all had at least one of the mutations.

Should students be permitted to not wear helmets during sporting activities based on concerns about contracting head lice?

Absolutely not! Unlike a head lice infestation, a head injury or concussion presents a serious health risk and has the potential for far-reaching, long-term health implications. Wearing protective helmets or equipment during a sports activity should never be discouraged due to fear of head lice infestation.

What should we tell children to do – or not do – to avoid head lice?

To minimize chances of becoming infested with head lice, children should avoid head-to-head contact during play or social interaction. However, in the age of selfies, this is challenging.

What should we tell parents about head lice?

Communicate with students’ families about head lice. Emphasize that head lice do not cause disease and do not pose a medical threat. Let them know your district’s policies on handling head lice. Parents should know that if their child becomes infested, it is a sure sign that a child is engaged socially. In other words, the child has friends!

Dr. Krista Lauer is medical director of Lice Clinics of America. Owners of about 140 Lice Clinics in the U.S. (including Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Hudson Valley) use a FDA-cleared medical device called AirAll‚ to kill lice and eggs by dehydrating them with heated air. Lice Clinics of America and AirAll‚ are brands owned by Larada Sciences, Inc.