Head lice on the advance: tips for fighting and prevention

Head lice on the advance: tips for fighting and prevention

In the current time, the topic of head lice is becoming more explosive again. More and more children in daycare centers and schools are affected, which makes health experts noticeable. After a significant decline during the Corona pandemic, the number of cases has increased significantly since the end of the pandemic and are already alarming values.

head lice are small, wingless parasites that mainly feed on human blood. They spread through direct contact, which means that children between the ages of three and twelve are particularly susceptible. Especially in the colder months, when people come together more closely, such as in autumn, the lice multiply faster. The first few weeks after the summer vacation are also a high season for these pests.

rising numbers in Lower Saxony and Bremen

The Barmer health insurance company reports of a worrying increase in prescribed lice materials in Lower Saxony and Bremen. While 19 recipes in Bremen were issued in 2021, this number increased to 46 and 2023 to 62 in 2022. In Lower Saxony, the increase is even more drastic: from 485 to 999 recipes within two years. This shows a clear trend, even if the numbers have not yet reached the pre -crises, as a spokesman for the AOK Bremen reports.

What to do if there is suspicion of a lice case? First, the people concerned should immediately use medication from the pharmacy. According to the Barmer pharmacist Nadja Dörr, it is crucial to follow the specified exposure times and carry out the treatment at least twice, as many products do not kill all lice the first time.

behavior in the case of lice infestation

parents must inform the daycare or school if your child suffers from head lice to prevent spread. Parents receive information about the obligation to report from an information sheet. The responsible health department must then be notified, although there is no medical report.

To combat parasites, the health department recommends specific hygiene measures. It is advisable to clean combs and brushes in a hot soap solution and to wash the bed linen and towels thoroughly. Hats and scarves should be kept in a plastic bag for several days to prevent further distribution.

The health department has issued special information for the implementation of the treatment. It is best to use a lice comb to examine the scalp and, if necessary, remove the lice yourself. The comb should be placed directly on the scalp and tightly pulled through the moist hair to capture the lice and its eggs.

The treatment should be carried out continuously over a period of 17 days. After the first application, the hair is combed out again to remove retracted larvae before becoming active. A second treatment is recommended about a week after the first to ensure that there are no more lice.