One in five Spanish would feel embarrassed if your child has lice.

-half of the population still used vinegar as a treatment, despite the fact that its intense smell provokes rejection of children

Madrid, 2011-September almost one in five Spanish ensures that you feel embarrassed in the event that your child I had lice, according to the Filvit survey on Pediculosis drawn up by the Spanish society of Pediatric Extrahospitalaria and primary care (SEPEAP) and Pediculosis information center. The poll, conducted among 2,000 people, is the first of these features is carried out in Spain.

More than 4.5 million children have started these days his classes in pre-school and primary levels, ages more susceptible to infestation due to the habits of game. 4 of every 10 households with school-age children ever had lice, according to the survey. Return to class is a critical time for the transmission, which becomes especially necessary protection, since many children return with lice on vacation and the conditions of heat and frequent contact between heads make leads to infestation ”, says Dr. José Luis Bonal, President of the SEPEAP.

The survey highlights some fasos myths surrounding the pediculosis, as the fact that 6 of every 10 respondents associated the dirt of the hair at the risk of infection. Lice have nothing to do with hygiene, socioeconomic and lifestyle habits. What is more, they show some preference for clean hair ”, says Dr. Charles Marina, Pediculosis information center.

Two-thirds of Spaniards believe that lice can be controlled by cutting the hair. The Navy doctor indicates that single method is effective if he shaved his head completely, a method which would be excessive, since that would affect self-esteem and contribute to stigmatize the child ”. When it detects a case, should be treated with shampoos and lotions pediculicides and clothing that has been in contact with the person concerned should be washed at 60 degrees. Children and adults in the environment must apply a protective product from pharmaceutical dispensing ”, adds. Protectors Act on the scalp forming a protective film. When one of these parasites detected the presence of the Ombudsman with its receiving antennas they saturate and do not want to live in the hair.

Vinegar, outdated

More than half of respondents confesses that he has resorted to the vinegar to deal with the invasion of lice, an effective remedy to remove the nits (eggs) but not as much to remove lice, and that it is rejected by children due to its intense smell ”, warns Dr. Aurora war, head of the Hospital 12 de Octubre in Madrid Dermatology. As noted by this specialist, there are products in the pharmacy both treatment and protection from the pediculosis with pleasant smell for children, which affects adherence and prevents becomes one reason of stigmatisation ”. In this regard, half of those interviewed felt the smell as an important characteristic when choosing a pediculicida or a protector against lice. Although August and September is when more pediculicides dispense in pharmacy, only 1 of every surveyed 10 says to go to the pharmacy in search of advice or treatment in the event of pediculosis.

Parents seem to be aware of the need to inform your environment before a contagion. 8 of every 10 claims that they avisarían to school if you discover that their children have lice and also would take protective measures with the rest of the family to avoid contagion.

However, 3 of every 10 parents say that they would take his son to school for a few days in case of presence of lice, the same percentage that ensures that it would draw his son of the Centre before an infestation if it should recommend it. Is not necessary that children not going to school. In the event that our children have lice simply dealt with and report to the school, and when other children are affected is sufficient to use a protective product ”, points out Dr. Jesús García Pérez, Member of the SEPEAP.

Pediculosis information centre is an initiative of the SEPEAP in collaboration with Filvit, which has a web of information and consultation: infopiojos. It involved pharmacists, educators, physicians and parents worried about the health of their children.