The end of summer means that kids will be going back to school. As children make their way into the classroom, parents should be aware of a pint-sized nuisance that could cause extra-large annoyance.

Head lice is a major problem among younger children.

According to Roselyn Cunningham, a communicable disease nurse for the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency, the disease if very prominent.

"Head lice are definitely out there," said Cunningham. "It doesn't matter who you are because it can happen to anyone."

Head lice are parasites that nest on humans. They are the approximate size of a sesame seed, according to Cunningham. They feed off of human blood. Head lice can only live for one to two days without a feeding of blood.

The parasites primarily nest in the scalp, where they lay their eggs, also called nits. The nits are typically laid on the scalp near the neckline or behind the ears. The nits can take eight to 10 days to hatch. Once hatched, nits take nine or more days to become fully mature adults and able to lay eggs.

Head lice are primarily transmitted through direct contact with someone who has head lice. It can also be transmitted through contact with a contaminated object such as a toy, comb or hat.

Head lice cause no real physical health problem for their hosts, but are more of a nuisance. Thus, with the parasite not being a reportable disease, there are no accurate numbers as to exactly how many cases there are each year.

Younger elementary children are the most likely to get head lice, according to Cunningham.

"It is definitely more common among children under the age of 10," said Cunningham. "They interact and play closely with other children, leaving them at risk."

The parasites are visible to the naked eye and should be checked periodically. Cunningham suggests going through children's hair with a comb.

The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency has several recommendations for children who have head lice.

The recommendation starts with the purchase of an over-the-counter control product that contains the active ingredient permethrin or pyrethrin. These products usually come in a cream rinse form and should be used as recommended. Stronger products can be obtained with a prescription from a doctor.

It may take eight to 12 hours for the lice to die after the treatment, but once they do it is recommended that they, along with the nits, are combed out with a metal nit comb that can be purchased at any drug store. This active combing and checking for more head lice should continue for two weeks, according to Cunningham.

In addition to treating the child, it is also recommended that parents thoroughly vacuum carpets and furniture.

Clothes and bed sheets that the child may have come into contact with during infestation should be washed in warm water.

Toys and stuffed animals are recommended to be stored in plastic bags for a period of two weeks, allowing time for any nits present to hatch and subsequently die.

"This parasite is preventable, but children are going to continue to play," said Cunningham. "It's out there and it could affect anyone. Families simply need to be aware of it and ready to treat it if it comes up."

Reprinted by permission of The Turlock Journal.