THE COSTS OF HEADLICE
1. Initial purchase of ineffective pesticidal shampoos
2. Repeat purchases of ineffective pesticidal shampoos
3. Pesticidal sprays for bedding
4. Daily laundering of clothing and linens
5. Dry cleaning for things that cannot be laundered
6. Days of work missed when parents must stay home with infested children
7. Lost wages when parents must stay home because they have head lice
8. Children absent from school
9. Federal school reimbursement for below average school attendance
10. Visits to doctor's office
11. Ineffective nit combs
12. Damage to hair
13. Replacing vacuum cleaner bags
14. Time spent bagging toys
15. Potentially harmful and unnecessary house fumigation
16. Carpet shampooing
17. Purchasing new combs, brushes, bedding and clothes
18. Loss of business for hair salons who turn infested customers away
19. Infections caused by scratching and chemical misuse
20. Medical care for adverse product reactions
21. Chronic illnesses related to inaccurate diagnosis of adverse reactions
22. Disruption to workplace, school, family and community
23. Legal intervention when child is perceived as neglected
24. Hiring others for delousing
25. Ridicule from other students
26. Embarrassment from other parents
27. Continual blame by teachers, parents, nurses and the community
28. Life long chemical sensitivity due to over exposure to toxic poisonsThe National Pediculosis Association, Inc. (NPA)
Their mission: To protect children from the misuse and abuse of potentially harmful lice and scabies pesticidal treatments.
(Some of the points were compiled using a list provided by the NPA.)
Belleville, Illinois