Dear Families,
What a mild winter we have had! Unfortunately, we haven't had much snow to play in this year, but I hope you are finding ways to get out and have some fun in our beautiful state of Vermont!
Just a few reminders:
1. Good hand washing is key to making this a healthy winter. Remember to keep your hands away from your face and mouth, unless you have just washed your hands. This helps to prevent the spread of germs.
a. Good Hand washing includes warm running water, scrubbing backs and fronts of hands and in between fingers with soap for 20 seconds before rinsing hands in water.
b. Use a dry, clean paper towel to dry hands and use the paper towel to turn the faucet off.
2. Even with the milder temperatures, we are asking that students wear their snow pants, boots, gloves and hats outside as they help to soften a fall (especially with all the ice we have had lately) and they help to keep your students clothes and feet dry.
3. Lice are alive and well in the community. Please check your students heads regularly at home. Most cases of head lice are transferred from child to child while at home during play dates and over nights. Only one out of ten cases of lice are transferred in school. If you are concerned about lice at school, you can put your child's hair up in a pony tail or braid. This seems to give some protection against the transfer of lice. Students are taught not to share personal items such as combs, brushes and hats. Students are also taught not to sit so close that their heads are touching. Students may lean their upper backs on pillows, but do not rest their heads and shoulders on pillows. When you check your child's head, it is best to check their head when their hair is wet (after a shower or bath is ideal). Then use a comb to comb through their hair. Check the comb to see if there are any lice on comb (or head). A white paper towel or napkin will provide contrast to help visualize lice that the comb may have caught. Below you'll find an updated clinical report on lice by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
4. The staff throughout CESU is participating in a hydration challenge. Did you know that being 2% dehydrated can decrease your mental clarity? We encourage you and your students to join us in drinking more water! It is recommended for adults to drink half of your weight in ounces each day.
As always, I am available by phone, email or by stopping in the office during office hours.
899-4680
kristen.taylor@cesuvt.org
Here is an updated clinical report by the American Academy of Pediatrics:
AAP Updates Treatments for Head Lice
4/27/2015
It’s probably making you squirm just thinking about it – your child comes home from school scratching his head. He has lice. It’s every parent’s nightmare, but it is important to remember that head lice is a nuisance, not a serious disease or a sign of poor hygiene.
An updated clinical report by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) “Head Lice,” in the May 2015 issue of Pediatrics (published online April 27), provides information to pediatricians and other health practitioners on safe and effective methods for treating head lice, including new products and medications.
Most cases of head lice are acquired outside of school. In the report, the AAP continues to recommend that a healthy child should not be restricted from attending school because of head lice or nits (eggs). Pediatricians are encouraged to educate schools and communities that no-nit policies are unjust and should be abandoned. Children can finish the school day, be treated, and return to school.
Unless resistance has been seen in the community, pediatricians and parents should consider using over-the-counter medications containing 1 percent permethrin or pyrethrins as a first choice of treatment for active lice infestations. The best way to interrupt a chronic lice problem is with regular checks by parents and early treatment with a safe, affordable, over-the-counter pediculicide. After applying the product according to the manufacturer’s instructions, parents should follow with nit removal and wet combing. The treatment should be reapplied at day 9, and if needed, at day 18.
In areas with known resistance to an over-the-counter pediculicide, or when parents' efforts on their own do not work, parents should involve their pediatrician for treatment with a prescription medication such as spinosad or topical ivermectin. These are new medications that were introduced since the last time the AAP published recommendations on head lice in 2010.
Once a family member is identified with head lice, all household members should be checked. The AAP does not recommend excessive environmental cleaning, such as home pesticides. However, washing pillow cases and treating natural bristle hair care items that may have been in contact with the hair of anyone found to have head lice are reasonable measures.
While it is unlikely to prevent all cases of head lice, children should be taught not to share personal items such as combs, brushes, and hats. Regular observation by parents can also be an effective way to detect and quickly treat head lice infestations.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 62,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
It’s probably making you squirm just thinking about it – your child comes home from school scratching his head. He has lice. It’s every parent’s nightmare, but it is important to remember that head lice is a nuisance, not a serious disease or a sign of poor hygiene.
An updated clinical report by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) “Head Lice,” in the May 2015 issue of Pediatrics (published online April 27), provides information to pediatricians and other health practitioners on safe and effective methods for treating head lice, including new products and medications.
Most cases of head lice are acquired outside of school. In the report, the AAP continues to recommend that a healthy child should not be restricted from attending school because of head lice or nits (eggs). Pediatricians are encouraged to educate schools and communities that no-nit policies are unjust and should be abandoned. Children can finish the school day, be treated, and return to school.
Unless resistance has been seen in the community, pediatricians and parents should consider using over-the-counter medications containing 1 percent permethrin or pyrethrins as a first choice of treatment for active lice infestations. The best way to interrupt a chronic lice problem is with regular checks by parents and early treatment with a safe, affordable, over-the-counter pediculicide. After applying the product according to the manufacturer’s instructions, parents should follow with nit removal and wet combing. The treatment should be reapplied at day 9, and if needed, at day 18.
In areas with known resistance to an over-the-counter pediculicide, or when parents' efforts on their own do not work, parents should involve their pediatrician for treatment with a prescription medication such as spinosad or topical ivermectin. These are new medications that were introduced since the last time the AAP published recommendations on head lice in 2010.
Once a family member is identified with head lice, all household members should be checked. The AAP does not recommend excessive environmental cleaning, such as home pesticides. However, washing pillow cases and treating natural bristle hair care items that may have been in contact with the hair of anyone found to have head lice are reasonable measures.
While it is unlikely to prevent all cases of head lice, children should be taught not to share personal items such as combs, brushes, and hats. Regular observation by parents can also be an effective way to detect and quickly treat head lice infestations.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 62,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
