Haverhill dad Eric Stafford wants regular head checks reinstated at his daughter's school after she came home with head lice this fall.
Stafford said at least six children in his daughter's first-grade class at the Silver Hill Horace Mann Charter School were also infected with the tiny bugs.
"It is absolutely ridiculous to let this go on. When I was in school, nurses would do head checks. All the surrounding towns still do head checks. To be the one city that doesn't do it is ridiculous," Stafford said.
Stafford said it cost his family more than $200 to get rid of the head lice. Another of his three children caught head lice from her sister and products had to be purchased for her as well.
Stafford also said the family had to replace certain items throughout the house that could not be washed, and wash all bedsheets in hot water.
In addition to the discomfort for his children, the battle to rid his children and home of the head lice was expensive, he said, in a time when there is little extra money in the household budget.
Other items had to be put in an air-tight bag for up to two weeks to kill any remaining lice.
"It's not an easy thing to get rid of. I know it's not life-threatening but it is a battle to get rid of it," Stafford said.
Stafford said he would like to see the school start head checks again at the school.
But Barbara Costello, Haverhill's school nurse leader, said routine, schoolwide head checks are no longer done in any of the city's schools and haven't been for several years.
"Individual students' heads are checked when students appear to be symptomatic. Unfortunately, like colds and strep throat, head lice is one of those conditions that can spread when children are together in schools," Costello said.
In most cases, head lice is not considered to be a health threat and the bothersome bugs do not transmit disease, Costello said.
"Parents need to assume the potential for head lice in schools is always there and should be checking children at home often," Costello said.
Stafford was also upset with the school when letters were not sent home informing parents of the outbreak.
According to Costello, letters are no longer sent home to parents because of new federal health confidentiality laws, because of the potential that a child involved could be identified.
Costello said she does not believe that routine, schoolwide head checks will be reinstated.
"Research shows these types of checks do not cut down on the incidence of head lice," Costello said.
According to an American Academy of Pediatrics clinical report on head lice, head lice (Pediculosis capitis) infestation is common in the United States among children 3 to 12 years of age. Approximately 6 million to 12 million have infestations each year.
It is almost impossible to prevent head lice infestations, the report said. Young children come into close head-to-head contact with each other frequently. It is prudent for children to be taught not to share personal items such as combs, brushes and hats, the report said.
Head lice fact vs. fiction
What are head lice? Head lice are small, wingless insects that can get on your hair and scalp. They are parasites that feed on very small amounts of human blood. Bites may cause constant scratching, and lead to skin irritation or even infection.
Who is at risk of getting head lice? Anyone can get head lice, but they are more common among school-aged children. Head lice spread more easily among children 3 to 12 years of age because they share their belongings more often than adults and play closely together. Head lice cannot survive on the family pet. They need human blood to live.
Head lice are very contagious: No matter how clean someone is, it's still possible to get head lice from head-to-head contact with someone already has lice. You can also get head lice if you share hats, towels, pillows, combs or brushes with someone who has head lice.
Steps to take to keep lice away: Don't share combs, brushes or hair decorations; don't try on hats in stores or that belong to others; pack pillows and towels when planning overnight trips.
Signs of head lice: Because lice move very fast, they are not always easy to see. Watch for frequent scratching, small red bumps or sores on the scalp, neck and shoulders. Look for lice eggs, also called nits, which look like tiny, oval-shaped, white or clear dots. Nits usually stick at an angle on hair shafts.
Choosing a treatment: Head lice can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription products. Shampoos and lotions that kill head lice contain pesticides and other chemicals, so it is important to talk to a doctor before using these products. Do not use a hair dryer after using a lice shampoo or rinse because some products can be flammable. The products that kill head lice don't usually kill all nits. To reduce the risk of another lice infestation, pick the remaining lice and nits by hand or by using a special comb. Comb through all of the hair one section at a time every 3 days or more often, for at least 2 weeks or until lice and nits can no longer be seen.
Cleaning the house: Use hot water to wash any bed linens, towels and clothing recently worn by the person who had head lice. Vacuum anything that can't be washed such as the couch, carpets, a child's car seat and any stuffed animals. Head lice don't live longer than 24 hours away from the scalp, so lice spray is not needed on these items.
Source: American Academy of Family Physicians
