Two of the most common childhood parasites in American schools are head lice and pinworms.
When kids are clustered together in classrooms, it's a prime time for parasites to go body-hopping. These infestations can be more than mildly uncomfortable, and can sometimes pose risks for additional problems like skin infections. Do you know how to recognize the signs your child is infested - at the top or at the bottom?
Head lice are mainly spread by head-to-head contact. Head lice cause itching, a sensation that something is moving in the hair, and sometimes sores on the scalp from scratching.
How to deal with head lice:
- Check your child's hair weekly, looking for signs of lice or their nits (tiny, oval, whitish eggs on hair shafts). You can also use a fine-tooth louse comb.
- If your child has lice, remove as many bugs and eggs as you can manually, and talk to your pharmacist about treatment products such as medicated shampoos.
- Launder all clothing and bedding on high heat to kill lice and nits. Vacuum furniture and floors.
- Whether or not your child is infested, don't allow her to share a brush, comb, hairband, or hat with her friends.
Children catch pinworms by swallowing the parasite's eggs. This can happen if an infected child scratches his bottom, then contaminates a surface or touches another child with his fingers.
Pinworms often cause intense itching around the anus, especially at night. Children may have difficulty sleeping or be irritable. Sometimes there are no symptoms. The "tape test" (patting the anal area with a piece of clear sticky tape to pick up eggs, which can be seen under a microscope) is an easy way to collect the evidence.
How to deal with pinworms:
- A doctor will prescribe a medication to rid your child of pinworms. Family members should also be treated even if they are showing no symptoms. Usually a second dose is taken two weeks later to prevent reinfection.
- Wash sheets, underwear, and pajamas to get rid of eggs.
- Keep your child's fingernails cut short, and don't let him chew his nails or suck his fingers.
- Whether or not your child is infected, teach proper and regular handwashing, especially after the bathroom and before meals.