Just in time for peak head lice season, ParaPRO, LLC has launched MyHeadLiceTreatment.com, a free, engaging and comprehensive “one-stop shop” about head lice. Treating head lice can be an issue. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate between 6 to 12 million cases of head lice infestations will occur this year - most in children 3 to 12 years old.
ParaPRO, with the help of nurses and physicians, developed the disease awareness site to help school nurses, other health care professionals and parents:
- know how to identify head lice
- answer common questions
- debunk myths
- watch how-to videos and see pictures to learn how to properly comb out nits (eggs)
- obtain the latest news on head lice including outbreak areas
- learn about FDA-approved head lice treatments through side-by-side information
Since a head lice infestation can be an emotional issue for children and parents and are spread primarily by head to head contact, MyHeadLiceTreatment.com offers a unique feature that allows parents to alert friends/neighbors to check their children anonymously through a special e-mail tool.
The site will be especially helpful for schools that lack resources to educate students and families about head lice. According to the National Association of School Nurses (NASN), more than 50% of public schools do not have a full time registered nurse on staff.2 As a result, nurses are often responsible for multiple schools and many students. In its own 2007 survey, the NASN found the average ratio was 1,151 students per each school nurse 3 and based on the CDC data, this means the typical school nurse may see in excess of 35 cases of head lice each school year.
In addition to MyHeadLiceTreatment.com, ParaPRO also recently launched DrItchy.com to help educate children about head lice in a fun way. Health care professionals can request educational material for classrooms and offices.
“School nurses need free or low cost tools to help them educate their students in a very simple way,” said Annette Marette RN, BSN, past president, Indiana Association of School Nurses. “The resources on MyHeadLiceTreatment.com and DrItchy.com conveniently offer credible information and advice in an unbiased manner.”