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Head lice on the rise: How to protect your children now!
In Lübeck, the prescription of anti-lice medications fell after Corona. Prevention and control tips for parents and schools.
Head lice on the rise: How to protect your children now!
Concerns about head lice are increasing, especially among parents of kindergarten and elementary school children. The latest data shows a decline in the number of anti-lice medications prescribed in Lübeck: In 2022, only 339 packs were prescribed, a significant decrease compared to the 539 packs in 2019. The reason for this decline was not least the corona pandemic, which significantly limited contacts between children. But with the return to normality, the spread of the unpopular parasites could also gain momentum again. This is reported by hl-live.de.
Head lice are annoying, but fortunately harmless. They are not carriers of disease and live exclusively through direct hair-to-hair contact. Their preferred habitats are the heads of elementary school-aged children, especially those between 7 and 9 years old. As the [RKI](https://www.rki.de/DE/Aktuelles/Publikationen/RKI-Ratgeber/Ratgeber/Ratgeber_ Kopflausbefall.html) explains, the louse's survival outside of its host is limited: As a rule, they can only survive for two to three days without a human scalp.
Prevention and treatment
Consistent measures are required to combat head lice infestations. A one-time treatment with anti-lice agents is often not enough. These need to be reapplied after 9 to 10 days. In addition, wet combing out of lice and nits should be carried out every three to four days for two weeks. This approach increases the chances of long-term success in treatment.
Various products are available in pharmacies that are covered by statutory health insurance companies, which reduces the financial burden on affected families. If an infestation is discovered, schools or kindergartens should definitely be informed. This is also recommended by the AOK, which currently has more than 20.9 million members and is therefore one of the strongest health insurance funds. According to the AOK, it is important to inform all contact persons immediately in order to prevent further spread aok.de.
The task of the health authorities
An important point in dealing with head lice is the exchange of information. The health department plays a central role in combating infestations in community facilities. It offers information material and advice to support affected families and stop the spread of lice. Whether a child is affected or not, it is the parents' responsibility to inform facilities immediately to defuse the situation. According to the RKI, there is no specific reporting requirement for head lice infestations, but community facilities should still be informed about the infestation.
The experiences of recent years show how important education and prevention are in order to get head lice infestations under control. Experts recommend regular checks and good hygiene in order to declare war on the little pests and enable the children to live a symptom-free life. If you need further information, you can contact your local health authority directly.