October 1, 1996
SMOKE SIGNALS
3
I
Bandaid Brief
Head lice rear their ugly heads
Head lice are a tedious chal
lenge. The adult head louse
is a small (2-4 mm), grayish
white, flattened, wingless in-
I". sect with a pointed head.
I Each fertilized female lays
250-300 eggs over 20-30
days. The eggs, or nits, are cemented to hair
shafts. About 7 to 10 days after deposition,
small nymphs emerge that to survive, must
pierce the skin and take a blood meal.
Lice outbreaks are disniptive and often
difficult to stop. While head lice have never
been shown to transmit infectious disease,
scratching or over-aggressive treatment can
lead to secondary infections and other com
plications. Despite advertising claims, all
lice and nits are not killed with the initial
treatment. With any of these products a
second treatment is needed 7 to 10 days af
ter the first treatment to kill newly hatched
lice (yes, even with Nix). Nix kills only
70-75 of nits on human hair and scalp.
Although most patients are louse-free
shortly after treatment, live lice can often
reappear 14 days after a course of "success
ful" treatment.
Nit removal is an important addition to
treatment. While pcdiculicidcs can kill most
nits, survivors can cause an apparent rein
festation if an adequate residuum is not
present. Dead nits remain attached to the
hair shaft until they are combed out or the
hair falls out. Since dead ones look pretty
much the same as live ones, most Oregon
schools have a "no nit" policy. Other over
the counter products are available (e.g.,
Clear, an enzymatic lice egg remover) that
attack the nit cement.
To prevent reinfestation, all household
members should be inspected for signs of
head lice. Application of pediculicidcs
should be combined with cleaning of re
cently worn clothing, bedding, combs,
brushes, and head gear. Articles that can
not be washed in the laundry can be tumbled
in a hot clothes dryer for 20 minutes, or
sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks (by
which time any viable nits will hatch and
subsequently expire for want of a blood
meal.) Small articles may be put in the
freezer for three days. A vacuum cleaner
will pick up any stray hair with nits from
the floor, the sofa, car seats, or other
vacuumable surfaces. Flea bombs and other
environmental insecticides are not effective
against head lice and may convey a false
sense of achievement in the war. Lice feed
only on humans; they do not infest dogs,
cats, goldfish, or other pets. Survival of
adult lice away from human hosts is short
at most a few hours.
Treatment failure is usually attributed to
improper or inadequate application of
pediculicidcs. Reinfestation from other
household members or playmates is another
scapegoat. Some so-called "failures" arise
from the mistaken expectation that symp
toms should disappear immediately follow
ing successful treatment. This can lead to
repeated applications of insecticides
some of which may be hazardous when
overused. Treatment is most likely to be
successful when patients and parents have
realistic expectations and some understand
ing about the head louse's habitat, mode of
spread, and response to therapy.
When treatment appears to have failed,
several issues should be reviewed. Was the
product used correctly and repeated in the
prescribed period of time? Might the pa
tient have been reinfested from another
source? Trying a different pcdiculicidc may
be worth considering in some circumstances.
These vermin can infest almost anyone,
respecting neither economic status nor edu
cational attainment. Many adults need re
assurance that infestation in their household
does not indicate a poor home environment
or lack of personal hygiene. Early detec
tion, careful treatment, and eternal vigilance
remain our shields against this pest.
Reprinted in part from the Center for Dis
ease Prevention and Epidemiology, Oregon
Health Division. August 20, 1996, Vol. 45,
No. 17.
Head Lice Summary
Protect your family, protect your home
Every school year there is a problem with head lice. Statewide, this is one of the
worst years. It happens to many families, regardless of their home conditions and
cleanliness habits. It can happen to you. Please take these precautions to prevent
head lice in your home or infecting others.
B Keep hair clean. Short haircuts or shaved heads are the safest way to prevent
reoccurring conditions.
Instruct your children not to share combs, brushes, hat, coats and other personal
items with their friends at school.
B When a member of your household becomes infected, treatment should be prompt.
Your entire house must be cleaned. All toys, clothes, bedding, furniture, and car
peted areas should be treated. Items that cannot be washed or dry cleaned can be
placed in a freezer, preferably in a plastic bag. All other infected items should be
placed tightly in plastic bags for two weeks.
Tomorrow will be the same,
unless you change something today!
With these words, six students graduated from the LIFE SKILLS class presented by
Chcmekcta Community College's New Work Force Program. Instructors, Bobbie
Romesburg and Karen Ervin, expressed their joy and satisfaction in working with our
students. Graduates ofthc Life Skills class were: VERONICA GASTON, DAVID 1V1ER
CIER, RONNIE JOHNSON (RIGGS), DELMER CROY, MICHELLE MORRISON,
AND FAYE MILLER.
1
ftf" ' ;
I r '4 v (
4 ' t
1
uifd! film)
In chatting with the graduates, students expressed the following: Fayc Miller said. "I
enjoyed learning about myself and would recommend the class to everyone. I want to
finish my GED and continue on by taking computer classes." Veronica Gaston stated. "I
feel a little sad now that class is over. I learned a lot about myself and found that anything
is possible if we try. Because of this (class) I am working toward a better job. Wish class
could be longer, there is so much to learn." Dclmar Croy said, "I thought it was excellent
and everyone should do it! The class really helped my set my goals and out look for the
future." David Mcrcicr added, "It was very helpful, I learned not to be afraid to ask ques
tions. It's important to ask the right questions when trying to get a job. The class was
comfortable and the instructors made it easy to learn."
Bobbie Romesburg and Karen Ervin from the Chcinckata New Work Force Program
praised, "The Grand Rondc Life Skills class represents a beginning. A beginning of lives
turning full circle and finding within, the will, the courage and the power to discover their
true potential. What an honor it has been to work with these fine people. We too have
learned so much. It is also the beginnings of new partnerships and collaboration between
Chcmekcta and Grand Rondc. Our special thanks to our students, and the special folks
who made it all come together; Dean Azule, Patty Tom Martin, Tim Holmes, Doug Colton.
Pam Warren, Marion Mcrcicr and Gayla Tulensru."
College campus visitations scheduled
Parents, Students and Educators arc invited to the Oregon State Univ ersity's Nativ e Ameri
can Longhousc Annual Tribal College Visitation days. There will be three separate visita
tions throughout Fall Term 1996 in which you may wish to participate. The dates are
October 17, November 7, and November 21.
The Tribal Visitation will include lunch, campus tours, workshops, and presentations. In
order to provide food and possibly housing, we need to know in advance how many stu
dents and parents will be attending. Please respond by October 2 for the first session: by
October 23 for the second session; and by November 6 for the third session. Make ar
rangements by calling (541) 7.17-2738. Marion Mcrcicr will be attending the November 7
session and welcomes students to attend that day with her. Contact Marion at the Tribal
Education Office for more information.
The 1996 Native American Student Day at the University of Washington is sched
uled for Friday, November 1. Activities will be targeted for high school juniors, seniors,
educators and counselors, as well as those in tribal education offices. Registration deadline
is October 20. Please contact Marion Mcrcicr at ext. 2284 if you w ish to attend.
Campus Student Visitation schedule is being developed at this lime. Any time a student
wants to schedule an individual visitation with the Education Program stalTyou may do so
by calling 1-800-422-0232 ext. 2284. Wc encourage students to maintain contact with
Marion Mcrcicr throughout the academic year. Visitation areas that have tentatively been
scheduled so far arc:
October 9 & 10: College of the Redwoods, Southwestern Oregon Community College
November 7: Oregon State University
November 12 & 13: Lane Community College, University of Oregon
December 4 & 5: Portland area colleges and universities
January 9: Tillamook Bay Community College
February 13 & 14: Western Oregon Stale College, Linn Benton Community College
If you attend one of these colleges or plan to attend school in the near future please call
Marion to schedule to meet.