September often sees a surge in head lice cases that coincides with the back-to-school season. These little pests, the adult variety of which measures approximately 2-3 millimeters long, are more of an annoyance than a serious medical issue, but they can be difficult and time-consuming to remove.

While many assume head lice to be a sign of poor hygiene, the American Associate of Pediatrics indicated that this is not truly the case. According to a revised clinical report published in late July, these beasties are not hazardous and do not spread disease. The report went on to note that no child should miss class time or be excluded from other activities because of the condition. The organization recommended that schools should drop their no-nit policies this year.

How to prevent head lice
Head lice are transferred through person-to-person contact and only affect humans, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dogs, cats and other pets are not susceptible to head lice.

The AAP suggested that the best way to prevent the spread of lice is to be proactive. Parents should check their children's heads for lice before sending them to events such as sleepovers, summer camp and other areas where children share sleeping space. Sporting events where participants come in bodily contact are also areas that make children vulnerable to these pests.

Because lice are only spread through personal contact and not personal hygiene, increasing the amount of showers and hair washing is not an effective means of preventing lice.

Preferred treatments for head lice
If parents do encounter head lice on their children, they should seek treatment from their local pharmacy immediately, as many over-the-counter treatments are available. Parents should do their research and speak with their pharmacist to determine the safest effective product, as not all lice products have been proven non-toxic, and many are suspected to be toxic.

According to the AAP, the recommended medication for lice is 1 percent permethrin lotion. A second treatment should be applied seven to 10 days after the initial treatment in order to kill any remaining eggs or nits. If the problem persists, parents should consult their pharmacist. Oral treatments and other options are available.