The Ministry of Health announced on March 21 recommendations to help prevent the spread of lice and nits among children, particularly as the school year begins and temperatures rise in many regions.
This issue is important because lice infestations are common among school-aged children due to close contact during play and shared use of personal items. The Ministry aims to reduce cases by promoting preventive measures.
Dr. Lucie Puell Ramírez, head of Dermatology at Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia, said that lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) prefer areas near hair follicles on the scalp because they need warmth to reproduce. “That is why it is frequent during the school stage, because they go to school, play, are in contact and can get infected,” Puell Ramírez said. She explained that nits (lice eggs) attach mainly behind the ears and at the nape of the neck, with transmission occurring through direct contact or sharing combs, hats, towels, and other personal items.
Puell Ramírez warned that chronic scratching with dirty hands can cause wounds leading to more serious bacterial infections such as impetiginized dermatitis. She clarified that having lice or nits does not indicate poor hygiene but rather a chain of contact that can affect entire families. Itching usually occurs behind the ear and at the back of the scalp and tends to affect girls more often due to longer hair.
To prevent infestation, Puell Ramírez recommended children attend school with their hair tied back and avoid sharing personal items like combs or brushes, hats or caps, pillows, or hair accessories. In case of infestation, she suggested using 1% permethrin lotion under medical supervision along with thorough use of a fine-toothed comb to remove dead lice and nits.
The Ministry also advised against using homemade substances that could cause complications such as irritant contact dermatitis. Anyone suspecting an infestation should consult a dermatologist or visit their nearest health center.
