Check your students for head lice

I've had several phone calls about head lice over the last couple of weeks.  It seems to be more prevalent in the elementary and middle schools, but it does pop up in the high school as well, so beware.  Here are some helpful hints if head lice happens to you or yours...

After you use the medicated shampoo to kill the live lice, you will still need to remove the nits (eggs) that are glued to the hair shaft.  If you do not remove all of the nits, they are still capable of hatching and starting the whole process all over again.  Nit’s can live up to one month, which is why it is so important to remove all of them.  Lice can live 5-7 days away from a human host.  Olive oil seems to help if applied to the hair – helps nits slide off easier. 

When you start the cleaning process, you’ll need to wash all bedding that your child has come in contact with.  I suggest using a laundromat to save time.  A home washing machine and dryer will work just as well…. Just a lot more loads of wash.  L  Use hot water and dry on high heat if possible.  If you can dry on high heat, this will help kill nits also.  Anything that can’t be washed or thrown in the dryer on high heat should be bagged up in garbage bags and left alone for 2 weeks.  Don't forget to throw pillows in the dryer.  

Try drying hair with a blow dryer on high heat setting (be careful not to burn the scalp).  Also try using a curling iron or flat iron on the hair to help kill the nits. 

There are lots of lice products out there, you can buy nit combs, etc., but the most important thing you can do is be vigilant in checking for nits daily and picking all nits out that you see.  I would keep this up until you have several nit picking sessions that come up without you finding any nits.  Nits like the back of the head close to the neck and behind the ears, but can be found anywhere on the head.

Keep in mind that you should check all members of your household for nits/lice.  It is also helpful to inform people you are in close contact with so they can be checked as well. 

Don’t forget to bag up or clean items like backpacks, coats, scarves, hair accessories, pillows, hats, brushes/combs, etc. 

You are welcome to call the school and speak with the nurse or the health clerk for any questions or concerns. 

Thanks,

Mrs. Varrelman

Strep Throat....

Happy Wednesday Cashmere families,

I keep hearing rumblings about strep throat this week, so beware... it's making the rounds.  Just a reminder, if your child has a sore throat and fever with no other cold symptoms, this is a good indicator that they might have strep throat.  You can attempt to look at the back of their throat with a flashlight, sometimes you will see white (pus pocket) spots, this is another indicator of potential strep.  If your child has cold symptoms (congestion, runny  nose, cough, etc.), chances are they don't have strep throat.  Their throat most likely is sore from all the sinus drainage running down their throat and the cold virus that they're fighting.  Antibiotics will not clear up a viral illness, however they will work on a bacterial infection (like strep throat).  If you suspect strep throat you should consider taking your child to their health care provider.  If positive for strep they will need an antibiotic to clear up the infection and will also be infectious and potentially infecting other people/students.  Remember to replace your toothbrush if you have a positive strep throat diagnosis so you don't re-infect yourself.  Your child needs to be on antibiotics for 48 hours before returning to school if diagnosed with strep.  It is very helpful to notify the school if your child is diagnosed with strep throat.  At the elementary level we send out notes to students who've been exposed to strep and it keeps us aware of what is happening (from a health standpoint).

Thanks and stay healthy!

Mrs. Varrelman, RN

Pink eye

Happy Monday,

Sounds like pink eye (bacterial conjunctivitis) may be rearing it's ugly head.  I've received about 3 phone calls in the last week regarding students who have pink eye.  We send students home if we suspect they have pink eye because it's very contagious and frequently requires antibiotic eye drops to clear up quickly.  If your student has a very red, itchy eye which is producing "goopy" material (mucous), it's usually a good indicator that there's conjunctivitis going on.  If your student wakes with their eye "glued shut" from dried mucous, or has a red, goopy eye, please keep them home and consider a visit to your health care provider.  If your child is diagnosed with pink eye (bacterial conjunctivitis), please keep them home until they have been on antibiotic drops for 24 hours and are symptom free.  If you choose not to use antibiotic drops, keep them home until they are symptom free.

Always remember to call the office where your student goes to school and inform the office staff of your child's absence.

Have a great mid winter break.

Mrs. Varrelman