Nursery World - One in ten schoolchildren is being teased for having head lice

One in ten schoolchildren is being teased for having head lice, according to a survey of 200 seven-to 12-year-olds by Lyclear Creme Rinse, a producer of anti-lice insecticidal treatments. The report, called Lousy Time in the Playground, found that just under a quarter (22 per cent) of the children had taken time off school because of head lice, with 12 per cent absent for three days or more. It said that communicable disease experts believed exclusion from school could be unnecessary and counterproductive. Oliver James, joint author of the report and a clinical psychologist, said, 'Louse infection still carries a heavy social stigma. We must explode the myths about head lice. Anyone, with clean hair or dirty, can be afflicted.' Mindy Bassi, a member of the Head Lice Advisory Panel, added, 'Head lice are a nuisance but they aren't dangerous and can often be treated quickly and effectively with insecticidal treatments you can buy at a pharmacy.' There will be a report on head lice in next week's Nursery World.

We must explode the myths about head lice. Anyone, with clean hair or dirty, can be afflicted.' Mindy Bassi, a member of the Head Lice Advisory Panel, added, 'Head lice are a nuisance but they aren't dangerous and can often be treated quickly and effectively with insecticidal treatments you can buy at a pharmacy.' There will be a report on head lice in next week's Nursery World.

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