Investigative Report: “The Prevalence of Lice Infestation among Filipino Children”
In a tropical country like the Philippines, head lice infestation
is a common problem especially among school-aged children. In a study by the
Department of Education and the University of the Philippines last year,
pediculosis (lice infestation) is the second most common problem among students
after tooth decay.
In 2000, it was estimated that around 9 million students or 84% of
the total public school children population in Metro Manila and in some
provinces, were carriers of head lice. Pediculosis or “kuto” affects children
aged 7 to 12 years. Students from Southern Tagalog and Western
Visayas were found to have the largest number of pupils affected by head lice.
Head lice affects children’s performance in school and creates
social stigma against those with this condition. The problem has greatly
concerned education officials that the DepEd launched a program to address the
problem in 2000 by giving out anti-lice treatment.
Head lice are tiny parasites that bite the scalp and feed on human
blood. According to the US National Library of Medicine, lice can survive on
human head for up to 30 days. Their eggs or what is called nits, hatch after
nine days and the larvae mature after another nine days.
The bites from lice can cause severe scalp itching and in some
cases red bumps on the scalp. Lice infestation is easily transferred through
personal contact. While it is not considered as a serious condition, the social
stigma attached to this condition is uncomfortable to many.
Some people connects lice infestation to low hygiene and poor
economic status. But in the United States, according to the US Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, between 6 to 12 million kids aged 3-11 years
old are infested with lice every year.
Here are ways to avoid head lice infestation:
• Tell your kids to avoid sharing hairbrushes,
hats, hair bands, or any hair accessories to other children.
• Inspect
your child’s head regularly and look for lice or nits. If you find any that is
already a sign for you to act immediately to avoid the lice from multiplying.
• Practice proper hygiene like regularly using
shampoo and conditioner to wash your child’s hair.
• It is
also important for you to teach your kids to be aware of the signs of lice
infestation like itching of the scalp.
Remember not to panic when you find that your child is infested
with lice. Children can be very sensitive when they feel that they are being
treated like they carry a contagious disease.
There are a number of treatments for head lice. You may consult
your family physician for the best treatment as there are products that contain
insecticide and may be harmful to your child. One product in the market that many moms recommend is Licealiz, a
head lice treatment shampoo with conditioning formula manufactured by Lamoiyan
Corporation.
Heidi, 29, is a regular user of Licealiz. A mother of three boys aged 8, 6 and 2,
Heidi shared that she never imagined her boys would be affected by lice until
she saw one on her eldest son while combing his hair.
“I always thought only girls can be infested by lice. I was
shocked when I saw it on my son’s hair, near his nape. I don’t know if he got
it from me or from his classmates or maybe from the surroundings,” said
the young mother from Mandaluyong. She immediately researched on the best treatment and found the
blog of another mom who tried Licealiz.
“The shampoo really smells good. Bonus is that, it’s very cheap.
Everyone in the house used it until the itchiness and the lice were all
gone. I’ve been recommending it to
my sisters and my in-laws ever since,” Heidi said.
Michelle, 32, noticed her daughter’s habit of scratching her
head. Bothered, she bought a lice
comb and used it on her. To her
dismay, indeed, she found several matured lice. When she told her best friend
about her daughter’s problem, she was advised to try Licealiz.
“My best friend Ella had tried it on her daughter, too. What I
like about Licealiz is that it smells good and makes my daughter’s hair really
soft. She loves it,” the mother from Cebu City shared.
Like many mothers, chances are your children may also be infested
by the tiny crawlers. Discovering
lice on your child’s head should not be cause for an alarm. Go to the nearest drugstore and grab
Licealiz.
Licealiz is non-toxic and is safe to use regularly even for young
children. Using it often keeps lice from coming back. Unlike other
brands, Licealiz's active ingredient, pyrethrin, is all natural and
extracted from chrysantimum flowers. It not only makes your child’s hair smell
good, it also nourishes and make the hair grow healthier.
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