BMJ  2005;331:405 (13 August), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7513.405

Letter

Shaving for head lice is unnecessary and distressing

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR—Lwegaba argues that shaving can be a safer treatment for head lice than insecticides.¹ However, shaving for head lice is far from ideal in children.

Western Australia's Department of Health does not recommend shaving hair to remove head lice. Shaving is only a short term solution. It is unnecessary (other effective treatments are available), it can distress the child, and it is often the result of despairing parents receiving out of date advice. A more effective approach is to involve parents and other school community members in establishing a substantial ongoing head lice management programme in schools that provides accurate, research based advice on screening for and treating head lice and helps to interrupt the cycle of reinfestation that can be perpetuated in school communities.

Western Australia's Department of Health has produced a school head lice resource (www.health.wa.gov.au/headlice) to help school communities develop a head lice . . . [Full text of this article]

Communicable Disease Control Programme, Department of Health, Western Australia 6008, Australia chris.brenton@health.wa.gov.au

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