As many of you may (or may not) know, I supplement my income as a 
medical writer. From time to time, I will post some articles I have done over 
the years that I think might be of interest. Here is one:
(c) copyright, 1996, Kurt Ullman
Q: My child starts school again soon. Since they will be sharing hats and 
pads during naps what should I do about head lice?
A: The human head louse is an organism that infects the scalp and is 
typically found in school children. Known officially as pediculosis capitas, 
it lives on the scalp and lays its eggs on the hair follicles. 
	"Usually the infestation is spread person to person and the lower 
elementary  grades are where you see it the most," says Patricia Treadwell, 
M.D., a pediatrician at the Riley Hospital for Children on the Indiana 
University Medical Center. "Kids at that age tend to have more head-to-head 
contact during play or school and that seems to be the most important part of 
transmission. There is some spread by sharing mats, pillows or hats, but 
person to person is the most important."
	There currently are a variety of treatments for head lice. Perhaps 
the most effective is an over the counter medication known as permethrin. It 
is most often used as cream rinse, following a thorough shampoo and drying. 
If this is unsuccessful, other medications are available by prescription. 
Most of the time, only two treatments, seven days apart, are needed.
	When a child is found to have head lice, it is very important to 
treat the entire family to avoid passing it back and forth. In addition, make 
sure all towels, sheets, pillow cases or other shared items are washed 
thoroughly.
	"Most parents of school age children have experience with treatment 
and management of head lice," notes Dr. Treadwell. "If your child scratches 
their head a lot, look for the organism on their scalp or their eggs attached 
to the bottom of the hair follicles. Try  permethrin first following label 
directions. If that is not successful, follow up with a doctor."
	
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 * PW * The beauty of a pun is in the aaarrrgh of the beholder
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