Preventive and control measures

The occurrence of head lice must always be expected, especially in community facilities and in childhood and adolescence. Their spread can then be reliably counteracted through appropriate attention and appropriate measures. Educators and carers should have a basic knowledge of the necessary measures to prevent and control and should take the affected person to lice doctors. Information material should be available.

Measures for patients and contact persons

Detected head lice infestation requires without delay if possible on the day of detection – day 1: In the case of people with the infestation, properly carried out treatment with an approved drug or a medical device that has been proven to be suitable for eradicating head lice infestation, supplemented by carefully combing out the hair that has been moistened with water and hair conditioner information with the affected contact persons in family, children’s facilities, schools and other community facilities same group or class with the aim of initiating an examination and, if necessary, treatment;

Supplementary hygiene measures in the household and kindergarten / day care center.

After the appropriate use of a suitable agent to eradicate the head lice infestation, supplemented by carefully combing out the hair moistened with water and conditioner with a lice comb, there is no longer any likelihood of further spread, even if vital eggs are still present.

Parents’ responsibility: If head lice infestation is found in a child or adolescent, the legal guardian is responsible for carrying out the measures mentioned.  Parents should be aware that the rapid detection and treatment of a head lice infestation and the dutiful notification of it are a prerequisite for successful prevention and control in the facility. The legal guardians should also confirm that the treatment has been carried out whether this parental feedback should be given orally or in writing depends on the local regulations.

A “prophylactic” treatment of contact persons in the home environment is not generally recommended, but should be considered. The probability of transmission with previous close contact, but also the costs and potential side effects, must be considered. If contact persons are also treated, the treatment as prescribed  must be repeated.

Ascertained head lice infestation initially excludes care or an activity in a community facility in which there is contact with the cared for. The basic requirement for schools and other community facilities for children and young people to be able to be visited again is that measures have been carried out that exclude further spread with a high degree of certainty, ie that it has been treated correctly with a means suitable for eradicating the head lice infestation initial treatment.

The management of communal facilities is obliged to notify the health department by name of any head lice infestation that has been reported or that it has detected itself. It is your responsibility to initiate the measures that are suitable to prevent the head lice infestation from spreading in the facility. It is recommended to coordinate the procedure with the responsible health authority. If the head lice infestation is discovered during the stay in a children’s facility or school and the child concerned cannot be looked after otherwise, permission can be given to remain in the facility until the end of the regular stay if close contact can be avoided in the following hours.