Check

Check

For Lice

Letters went home Tuesday from elementary school principal Graham Spencer, requesting parents to check their children’s heads for pediculosis, more commonly known as lice.

The letter indicated that there had been a previous outbreak of lice. Last week. Superintendent William Bloomer acknowledged that school authorities had found two or three cases a month ago but had not sent notice home to any parents but those involved because so few children were infected. He added that the first instances of lice had appeared to be under control.

According to public health nurse Frances Thornton, the recent outbreak involves more than a dozen children at the elementary school and a few students at the high school. She emphasized that lice are in no way related to dirt or unsanitary conditions. "It’s just like catching a cold from someone," she said.

Mrs. Thornton explained that actual contact was required to spread lice. This can occur when a child uses a friend’s comb, wears a friend's jacket or sits next to a buddy with shoulders touching. Within the family, lice can travel from one person to another on bedclothes, towels or pillows—even on the backs of sofas or chairs.

Once lice are discovered, a child must stay out of school until treatment is started, according to Mrs. Thornton. She stressed the advice included in Spencer's letter to parent’s:

—inspect children's heads

—if evidence of lice is found, consult a physician

—wash all clothing and bedding in hot water with soap to destroy lice eggs and prevent reinfestation. Dry cleaning, if necessary for coats and bedclothing, will also destroy eggs.

According to Mrs. Thornton, kwell is an excellent treatment for lice. It is available by prescription and can be obtained from the Rappafttnnock Clinic.

Earlier this year, Fauquier County school children were plagued with lice and Mrs. Thornton reported that Orange County schools are currently dealing with an outbreak of the pests. "So we’re not unique," she concluded.