Lice Infestations

SATURDAY, Dec. 14, 2024 -- Head lice can be a wintertime headache for families and schools, but simple precautions can stop the spread of these pesky parasites. Every year, 6 million to 12 million children in the United States, ages 3 to 11, experience head lice infestations, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Contrary to popular belief, these tiny insects don’t jump or fly, said Ali Wurster , a nurse practitioner with the Texas A&M Health Mobile Health Clinic. “They actually crawl,” Wurster explained in a university release. “A kid can be sitting in a classroom even a foot away from another child, and if their heads don't touch, the lice are not going to jump onto someone else.” While many believe individuals with dirty or unclean hair are more likely to attract lice, the reverse is true, Wurster said. The small, sesame seed-sized parasites prefer a clean scalp. They spread most commonly among school-aged children through shared items like hats, coats, brushes or dress-up clothes, which present prime modes of transfer for the parasites. To prevent head lice, avoid sharing hats, brushes or clothing. School staff should regularly sanitize common items. Wurster also recommended keeping heads apart during nap time to further deter spread. While not harmful, head lice can cause significant discomfort and should be mitigated as soon as possible both to ease symptoms and stymie further spread. If lice are found, treatment is straightforward. Over-the-counter and prescription topical creams such as Nix and Permethrin work effectively, Wurster said. After applying the treatment, remove lice eggs (nits) with a fine-toothed comb, seal them in a plastic bag and repeat treatment in seven days if needed. Wash clothing, bedding and other fabric items in hot water and dry on high heat. Non-washable items, like stuffed animals, should be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks. The CDC no longer requires children with lice to be sent home immediately; they can finish the school day, begin treatment after school, and return the next day. Despite misconceptions, families and schools can quickly address and oftentimes prevent head lice with an accurate understanding of how the parasites spread and best practices for treatment. SOURCE: Texas A&M Health, news release, Dec. 9, 2024 Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.

AI-driven Virtual Consultation Platform with Leading Medical Experts CARMEL, Ind., Oct. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ParaPRO, a leading specialty pharmaceutical company specializing in innovative treatments for human ectoparasites, has unveiled Thought Leader AI. This cutting-edge decision support tool, developed in collaboration with the Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) at the University of Southern California, enables healthcare practitioners to conduct lifelike consultations with top scabies specialists. From diagnosis to treatment, Thought Leader AI aims to support clinical decision-making and foster a virtual exchange of expert insights. Healthcare providers can visit to experience Thought Leader AI in action. Non-healthcare providers can contact [email protected] to receive instructions on how to access the platform. Continue Reading ParaPRO's Thought Leader AI: Where Artificial Intelligence Meets Scabies Expertise. This transformative platform utilizes advanced AI-based natural language processing to distill precise responses from extensive curated video footage featuring three disease-state experts. It offers real-time, evidence-based consultations for diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient management. By allowing healthcare practitioners to tap into novel perspectives and expert insights, Thought Leader AI establishes a vibrant virtual forum for best practices. The highly respected experts featured on the platform are: Dr. Theodore Rosen, MD, FAAD, Professor of Dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine; Chief of Dermatology Services at Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center Dr. Anthony J. Mancini, MD, FAAP, FAAD, Division Head & Associate Fellowship Program Director, Dermatology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago; Professor of Pediatrics and Dermatology, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Christopher Belcher, MD, FAAP, Director of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Payton Manning Children's Hospital, St. Vincent/Ascension. "We are excited to broaden access to Thought Leader AI so that all healthcare practitioners can easily access this transformative decision support tool," said Bill Culpepper III, President of ParaPRO. "This new technology allows clinicians, many of whom don't often see scabies in their practices, to engage in "live" consults with well-known medical specialists on scabies anytime, anywhere. It's akin to having the world's leading experts at your side in real-time. Thought Leader AI also informs clinicians about available treatment options, including the first and only FDA-approved 'complete cure' for scabies." Added Dr. Rosen, "This platform has the potential to revolutionize how medical professionals approach complex cases and collaborate to provide the highest quality care. With Thought Leader AI, healthcare professionals can make more informed decisions, collaborate seamlessly, and deliver expected outcomes." With scabies affecting nearly 1 million Americans yearly1, accurate diagnosis and effective treatment remain paramount. Thought Leader AI addresses these challenges head-on, allowing practitioners to seek real-time expert advice, gain invaluable clinical insights, and explore best practices. About Scabies Scabies is a pervasive global health challenge. Affecting a diverse demographic, it thrives and spreads in crowded environments due to direct, prolonged skin-to-skin transmission.2 Caused by an infestation of the skin by the human itch mite, Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis, symptoms primarily include intense itching and a distinct skin rash. About Natroba Natroba (spinosad) Topical Suspension, 0.9% is an FDA-approved, targeted topical prescription therapy with multi-ectoparasitic indications. Natroba is indicated for the topical treatment of scabies infestations in adult and pediatric patients four (4) years of age and older and is the only FDA-approved, targeted topical prescription therapy that meets the latest FDA criteria for effectiveness and safety in treating scabies infestations.3-6 Natroba is dosed as a single, full-body application. Click here for a video on how to properly apply Natroba. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Indication Natroba™ Topical Suspension is a pediculicide indicated for the topical treatment of head lice infestations in adult and pediatric patients six (6) months of age and older. Adjunctive Measures Natroba™ Topical Suspension should be used in the context of an overall lice management program: Wash in hot water or dry-clean all recently worn clothing, hats, used bedding and towels Wash personal care items such as combs, brushes, and hair clips in hot water A fine-tooth comb or special nit comb may be used to remove dead lice and nits. Important Safety Information Natroba™ Topical Suspension contains benzyl alcohol and is not recommended for use in neonates and infants below the age of 6 months. Intravenous administration of benzyl alcohol has been associated with serious adverse reactions and death in neonates and low birth-weight infants. Most common adverse events were: application site redness (3%), eye redness (2%) and application site irritation (1%). You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit , or call 1-800-FDA-1088. About ParaPRO ParaPRO LLC. is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on innovating anti-parasitic formulations that minimize the disruption and economic burden on patients and families and providing support for the broader professional community with the most current insights, tools and resources that educate and inform. In 2021, the company introduced the first product (new drug application) for scabies to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in more than 30 years and the only targeted topical therapy that meets the FDA's new criteria for a "complete cure".7,8 For more information, visit References IQVIA March 2019-March 2021. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Parasites. . Accessed, 9/26/22. Natroba Prescribing Information. Data on file, ParaPRO, LLC. Summary of NDA approvals & receipts, 1938 to the present. US FDA website. . Accessed January 19, 2021. LaMaina J. Can the record-breaking number of FDA new drug approvals continue? Forbes website. record-breaking-number-of-fda-new-drug-approvals-continue/?sh=260bdf15aa83. Published January 9, 2019. Accessed January 19, 2021. U.S. FDA (n.d.). Orange Book: Approved Drug products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations. . Accessed, 9/26/22. Data on file, ParaPRO, LLC SOURCE ParaPRO, LLC

ALBANY, Ore., Oct. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Head lice infestations have long been a familiar challenge for families, often originating in common locations such as playgrounds and schools. These tiny pests are a source of frustration and concern, prompting a journey to find effective solutions. Continue Reading "Our goal was to create a product that brings comfort and peace of mind to families dealing with this issue." Post this Licefreee! AfterLice Spray helps relieve the pain and itching caused by lice bites and lice treatment. It's common to experience itching and irritation of the scalp even after successfully treating lice. This post-treatment itching can be incredibly frustrating. It often leads people to mistakenly believe they still have lice. For those who have experienced this relentless itching, there's good news on the horizon. Licefreee! is proud to unveil a groundbreaking product to solve these itching woes, Licefreee AfterLiceTM Pain Relieving Spray! A recent trend caught the attention of the company's development team. An increasing number of people were looking for answers to why their head still itched after treating for head lice. This trend revealed a glaring unmet need. People were finding relief from lice, but the persistent itching and discomfort were casting a shadow on their victory. In response, Licefreee embarked on a mission to develop a solution that would provide the much-needed relief. "We saw an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of those who have endured the seemingly endless itch and discomfort that often lingers post-lice treatment," says Vern Smith, Chief Science Officer. "Our goal was to create a product that brings comfort and peace of mind to families dealing with this issue." But Licefreee didn't stop at mere relief. The company recognized that lice treatments can sometimes leave the scalp feeling dry and irritated. To address this, AfterLice offers conditioning benefits that go beyond itch relief. This leave-in conditioner pampers your scalp and hair, leaving them soft, manageable, and healthy. It's a holistic approach to scalp care that sets AfterLice apart from the rest. Visit Licefreee.com to learn about this groundbreaking product that addresses a significant gap in the lice treatment market. Embrace the relief, enjoy the conditioning benefits, and take the first step towards an itch-free, worry-free life. As an introductory special, Licefreee is offering 50% off AfterLice with any head lice treatment purchase at Licefreee.com through October 31st. About Licefreee! Tec Labs launched Licefreee! non-toxic head lice treatment in 1999 to provide an alternative to traditional chemical pesticides. Headquartered in Albany, Oregon, the company focuses on safe, effective OTC solutions cultivating a family-like work environment that has earned it a place in Oregon Business Magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For in Oregon. Media Contact: Lisa Muller, Tec Laboratories [email protected] SOURCE Tec Laboratories, Inc.