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Previous Volume 346:1645-1650 May 23, 2002 Number 21 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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This Journal feature begins with a case vignette highlighting a common clinical problem. Evidence supporting various strategies is then presented, followed by a review of formal guidelines, when they exist. The article ends with the author's clinical recommendations.

An eight-year-old girl is sent home after the school nurse detects head lice. She will not be permitted to return to school until the absence of infestation is documented. What treatment strategy is most likely to allow her to return to school with a minimal risk of infecting her classmates?

The Clinical Problem

Head-Lice Hysteria

Although Pediculus capitis, or head lice, are harmless, concern about them often . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Nature of Infection

Transmission

Strategies and Evidence

Diagnosis

Treatment

Areas of Uncertainty

How Effective Are Insecticides in Normal Use in Partly Resistant Populations?

Is Exclusion from School Necessary?

What Is the Role of Alternative Therapies or Environmental Decontamination?

Guidelines

Conclusions and Recommendations

Source Information

From the Department of Public Health Medicine, North Wales Health Authority, Mold, Flintshire, United Kingdom.

Address reprint requests to Dr. Roberts at the Department of Public Health Medicine, North Wales Health Authority, Hendy Rd., Mold, Flintshire CH7 1PZ, United Kingdom, or at richard.roberts@nwales-ha.wales.nhs.uk.

References

Related Letters:

Head Lice
Meinking T. L., Burkhart C. G., Burkhart C. N., Roberts R. J.
Extract | Full Text | PDF  
N Engl J Med 2002; 347:1381-1382, Oct 24, 2002. Correspondence

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Jahnke, C., Bauer, E., Hengge, U. R., Feldmeier, H. (2009). Accuracy of Diagnosis of Pediculosis Capitis: Visual Inspection vs Wet Combing. Arch Dermatol 145: 309-313 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Goates, B. M., Atkin, J. S., Wilding, K. G., Birch, K. G., Cottam, M. R., Bush, S. E., Clayton, D. H. (2006). An Effective Nonchemical Treatment for Head Lice: A Lot of Hot Air. Pediatrics 118: 1962-1970 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Pearlman, D. L. (2005). Nuvo Lotion and the Future of Head-Lice Treatment. Pediatrics 115: 1452-1453 [Full Text]  
• Pearlman, D. L. (2004). A Simple Treatment for Head Lice: Dry-On, Suffocation-Based Pediculicide. Pediatrics 114: e275-e279 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Wooltorton, E. (2003). Concerns over lindane treatment for scabies and lice. CMAJ 168: 1447-1448 [Full Text]  
• Bouchard, M., Gosselin, N. H., Brunet, R. C., Samuel, O., Dumoulin, M.-J., Carrier, G. (2003). A Toxicokinetic Model of Malathion and Its Metabolites as a Tool to Assess Human Exposure and Risk through Measurements of Urinary Biomarkers. Toxicol Sci 73: 182-194 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Meinking, T. L., Burkhart, C. G., Burkhart, C. N., Roberts, R. J. (2002). Head Lice. NEJM 347: 1381-1382 [Full Text]