Pediculosis is an infestation of lice on the body, head, or pubic region that occurs worldwide. Lice are ectoparasites of the order Phthiraptera that feed on the blood of infested hosts. Their morphotype dictates their clinical features. Body lice may transmit bacterial pathogens that cause trench fever, relapsing fever, and epidemic typhus, which are potentially life-threatening diseases that remain relevant in contemporary times. Recent data from some settings suggest that head lice may harbor pathogens. The epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and management of body, head, and pubic louse infestation are reviewed. New therapies for head lice and screening considerations for pubic lice are discussed. Tungiasis is an ectoparasitic disease caused by skin penetration by the …
National Pediculosis Association Petition Leads to FDA Website Updates on Treating Head Lice
Lice and Nit Combing Acknowledged as A Valid Treatment Strategy NEWTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Pediculosis Association (NPA) of Newton, Mass. today announced a milestone in its mission to educate parents on chemical-free ways to screen and treat children with head lice. Following review of a citizen petition from the NPA, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated its website, Treating and Preventing Head Lice, noting that lice removal kits, which are “comb or comb-like” devices, are a treatment option, and stating that combing may be used alone. “We appreciate the FDA’s careful consideration. While combs have been mentioned passively through the years, the FDA is now recognizing combing as a treatment strategy on its own,” said …
Where Are We With Human Lice? A Review of the Current State of Knowledge
Pediculus humanus is an obligate bloodsucking ectoparasite of human that includes two ecotypes, head louse and body louse, which differ slightly in morphology and biology, but have distinct ecologies. Phylogenetically, they are classified on six mitochondrial clades (A, B, C, D, E, and F), head louse encompasses the full genetic diversity of clades, while body louse belongs to clades A and D. Recent studies suggested that not only body louse, but also head louse can transmit disease, which warrants greater attention as a serious public health problem... Head louse infestation is very common worldwide, especially among schoolchildren, whatever their hygiene status, and the transmission occurs mainly by head-to-head contact. Adults with poor personal hygiene are also commonly …
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Head lice can be a pesky problem
"I’m starting to see a few cases of head lice now that kids have been in school awhile. The critters are white and about the size of a sesame seed. They are known as "obligate ectoparasites." Obligate means they require a placental mammal host to survive (i.e. humans) and ectoparasites means they live outside the human body and need a host to survive. They do this by feeding on the host’s blood and can't live off of a body for more than a day or so. Lice are spread by direct contact of a person's head or hair with an infested individual or through sharing personal items such as hats, towels, brushes, helmets, hair ties or even car seat headrests. They do not jump or fly and are not transmitted by pets... Treatment of lice requires a lot of patience. There really is no substitute for …
Kids have allergic reactions to lice treatments
Antihistamines only delay emergency treatment for anaphylaxis Giving antihistamines to children who experience anaphylaxis only endangers their lives by delaying emergency treatment, researchers reported. Instead, children should be administered epinephrine and go straight to the ED. Evan Wiley, MD, a pediatric resident at Jacobi Medical Center in New York, and another colleague reviewed the medical records of children and young adults who were admitted to a community pediatric hospital between July 2015 and January 2019. They found that 72% of patients who first took antihistamines at home delayed seeking medical care compared with only 25% of those who did not take them. Patients who took antihistamines were more than seven times more likely to delay emergency treatment (OR = 7.45; …
Always Provide a Non-Chemical Choice for Head Lice Removal
The National Pediculosis Association Reminds Parents, School Administrators and Health Professionals To Provide a Non-Chemical Choice on Head Lice For Children, Families, and Yourself! NEWTON, MASS. (PRWEB) SEPTEMBER 03, 2019 Children of any age or size are vulnerable to the harmful effects of pesticides. They also often have pregnant or nursing mothers who should never be exposed to chemical treatments either by applying them to themselves or to others. Too many people unfortunately overuse chemical agents out of fear and frustration without adequate warning of the risks to themselves and the environment. "Children's exposures to pesticides should be limited as much as possible." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23184105/ Each of us has unique vulnerabilities. …
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September is National Head Lice Prevention Month
September is National Head Lice Prevention Month - Time for Parents to CombFirst! 'Everyone Wins When Everyone Combs' NEWTON, MASS. (PRWEB) - AUGUST 27, 2019 Just in time for the National Pediculosis Association’s (NPA) National Head Lice Prevention Month kick-off on September 1 and its message to parents—CombFirst! The organization has launched mobile-friendly redesigns of HeadLice.org and LiceMeister.com in conjunction with its annual educational campaign to help families prevent, manage and treat children with head lice, safely and effectively. The campaign emphasizes the importance of routine screening, early detection and the most important public health measure of sending children to school without lice and nits (eggs). “The NPA’s message is especially timely, as the …
When children aren’t included in the conversation about head lice their imaginations can run wild
When children aren’t included in the conversation about head lice their imaginations can run wild. …
What Do Lice Look Like & How To Do Away With Them Fast
The Ultimate Guide That Puts Kids First When parents discover their child has lice their typical reaction is dread. The dread comes from not really knowing what to do while feeling pressure to address the situation immediately. It’s easy to understand why. There is an overwhelming amount of information about lice on the web with all sides weighing in: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the National Pediculosis Association (NPA), the National Association of School Nurses, researchers, public health departments, school districts, universities, hospitals, allopathic health practitioners, holistic health practitioners, mommy blogs, mainstream news media, alternative news media, professional lice treatment services …
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Head Lice: Everyone Wins When Everyone Combs!
For Immediate Release. August 14, 2019. National Pediculosis Association Urges Parents to Be Proactive Newton, MA — August is back-to-school for many communities across the nation and time to prepare the kids for returning to the classroom. The National Pediculosis Association (NPA) encourages parents to screen their children’s hair for pediculosis so these students can join their friends free of lice and their nits (lice eggs). The message for parents is to be diligent about pediculosis – a communicable parasitic disease that is well established among the childhood population. The NPA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to setting the highest possible public health standards to protect children from both head lice and the risky pesticide-based lice …
CombFirst! Before Camp, Advises the National Pediculosis Association
"As children and teens dive into the summer camp season, the National Pediculosis Association (NPA) today encouraged parents, counselors, camp nurses and administrators to prevent head lice from interfering with even a minute of fun! 'Camps that promote parental preparedness via screening for lice before camp are one giant step ahead,' said Deborah Altschuler, President of the NPA, a nonprofit organization advocating for children to arrive at camp lice and nit free. 'There are camp directors spending thousands of dollars checking children for pediculosis upon arrival without teaching parents how to comb their children for lice and nits at home. Parents can and should be first to detect infestations before sending children to camp. Those who know about screening for head lice with a lice …
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Partnering With The LiceMeister® Comb
Seed Of Nations International Centre's The Nehemiah Project -Partnering With The LiceMeister® Comb This year's Mission Trip to Jayuya, Puerto Rico 2019 provided education on eradicating head lice through combing with the Licemeister® Comb. Proper techniques for combing out nits and head lice were communicated to provide a safe and effective methodology for combating head lice infestations. Children of Jayuya, Puerto Rico Letter to NPA from Seed of Nations DATE: May 31, 2019 TO: Deborah Z. Altschuler —President National Pediculosis Association®, Inc. FROM: Apostle Evelyn L. Cobb Seed Of Nations International Centre RE: 2019 Jayuya, Puerto Rico Trip Summary Report FEBRUARY 19, 2019 - Day 3 - We traveled to the Escuela Segunda Unidad Antonia Serrano Gonzalez, an Elementary …
Helping Each New Generation of Parents Tackle the Age-Old Challenge of Head Lice – Safely and Effectively
The National Pediculosis Association Continues its Leadership Role with New Educational Resources and the Tools to CombFirst! NEWTON, Mass. March 26, 2019 No matter how each new generation of parents differs from its predecessors, one fact remains the same—sooner or later, they will be challenged by a lice infestation first identified at school, a childcare center, or camp. What’s changed and improved, though, is parents’ access to a wealth of tools and resources for treating children with lice—without the use of potentially harmful chemicals and pesticides. The catalyst behind these changes is the National Pediculosis Association (NPA)—a nonprofit organization whose impact has continued to grow over the 36 years since its founding. The NPA advocates for the highest possible …
China Bans Pesticides Lindane and Endosulfan
"China’s environment ministry has issued a ban on the pesticides lindane and endosulfan, substances known to pose health risks to humans. The decision, made jointly with 10 other government departments and published this week, is intended to improve China’s compliance with the Stockholm Convention, an international treaty on pollutants. China formally joined the Stockholm Convention in 2004. Lindane and endosulfan, which are frequently used to treat crops and parasites on humans and animals, are classified under the Stockholm Convention as “persistent organic pollutants” (POPs) that stay in the environment for an exceptionally long time ..." See full article. -- Source: CX Live. …
“Waves of Health” Remove Head Lice with LiceMeister Comb
Congratulations to Dr. Jimenez Humberto of the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy Rutgers, Gladys Munoz, and all the wonderful "Waves of Health" volunteers who traveled thousands of miles on a mission to teach families how to screen, detect & remove head lice & nits using the LiceMeister® comb! Removing head lice & nits using the LiceMeister® comb …
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