SAPPORO - Head lice, small parasitic insects that feed on blood from the scalp, are once again spreading among children in Japan as physical contact increases following the COVID-19 pandemic. In Sapporo, where outbreaks have been reported in schools, local officials are urging caution.
Measuring just 2 to 4 millimeters in length, head lice are grayish-black and cling to the hair, where they cause intense itching. A single female can lay up to eight eggs a day, which hatch in about ten days, leading to rapid multiplication and human-to-human transmission.
"I remember when my child got head lice in kindergarten. Almost the entire class was infected. Boys had their heads shaved, but we used medicated shampoo for the girls since they couldn't cut their hair," recalled a resident of Muroran.
Despite being commonly associated with the postwar era—when DDT was used to eradicate lice—they are far from a thing of the past. In fact, lice continue to be a risk for anyone, regardless of hygiene.
"At elementary schools, children often make contact during play, such as tumbling exercises, which increases the risk of head lice transmission. But we can’t stop kids from playing together," said Kanbayashi, head of the Miyanomori Skincare Clinic.
In Sapporo alone, some years in the past decade saw over 160 reported cases. During the COVID-19 pandemic, cases fell to zero due to reduced contact, but infections have returned in 2024.
Lice can also spread through shared items such as towels, combs, and pillowcases. At schools where outbreaks occurred in 2024, students have been instructed not to share or touch each other’s hats.
"It's difficult for small children to wash their own hair thoroughly. The best prevention is to check the scalp early when something seems off," Kanbayashi advised.
Lice eggs are pearly white and about 0.4 mm in size, often found around the nape of the neck or behind the ears, especially near the roots of the hair. A telltale sign is the appearance of white specks that resemble dandruff but cannot be removed by brushing or pulling.
There is a widespread misconception that lice infestations are caused by poor hygiene, but anyone can become infected, even with good personal care. Treatment involves using over-the-counter medicated shampoos, combing out the eggs with fine-toothed combs or cutting hair if needed, and disinfecting bedding and tools by soaking them in water above 60°C for at least 10 minutes.
Monitoring symptoms for 2 to 3 days without further signs typically indicates successful removal. The key is not to panic, but to understand the parasite and take appropriate preventive and responsive measures.
Source: 北海道ニュースUHB
