Quiz - Hair Space Invaders

There’s no shame in enjoying the start of the new school year. By the summer’s end, it’s good for parents to have the kids out of their hair again. But there are some unwelcome guests that want to get into your kids’ hair, and school is where they are seen most. They are called head lice, and though they aren’t dangerous, these tiny parasitic bugs can turn into a big problem for a school class or a family. Take our quiz to learn more:

1. Head lice are very contagious.

A. True
B. False

2. Which of these factors can increase the risk of contracting head lice?

A. How clean your child’s hair is
B. Where you live, work, or play
C. How clean your home is
D. None of the above affect risk

3. The most common symptom of head lice is:

A. Difficulty sleeping
B. Sores or red bumps
C. Itching
D. Irritability

4. The eggs laid by lice, called nits, are invisible to the naked eye.

A. True
B. False

5. In addition to medicated shampoo or cream rinse, the treatment for head lice may also include which of the following?

A. Removing nits from wet hair with a fine-tooth comb
B. Soaking combs and brushes in hot water with the shampoo for at least 15 minutes
C. Washing all bedding and clothing in hot water (130°F or 54°C), or sealing items that cannot be washed in a plastic bag for 2 weeks.
D. Checking all other household members closely to see if anyone else needs to be treated
E. All of the above

Answers:

1. A. True.  Head lice spread through close body contact or by shared personal items such as hairbrushes and hats.

2. D. None of the above.  This risk is greatest among school-age children and in child-care settings, as this where head lice are mostly found. The other factors listed above neither increase nor decrease risk.

3. C. Itching is the most common symptom, and it can sometimes be intense, especially at night.  Constant itching and scratching sometimes leads to the other symptoms listed above.

4. B. False.  Lice or their eggs can usually be seen on the hair and are typically easy for your child’s doctor to diagnose.

5. E. All of the above.  Many head lice medicines are available over the counter, but talk with your child’s doctor if those don’t work. Don’t use two forms of treatment simultaneously.

Source: The Health Library