Lice and shine

MANILA, Philippines - Outbreaks oftentimes strike like clockwork: In schools during flu season, in communities during dengue season, sore eyes season, and even head lice season?

Kuto or head lice may not have its own season, but schools or teachers may want to observe the infestation among students regularly. In fact, a study conducted by the Department of Education (DepEd) with the University of the Philippines ranked pediculosis or head lice infestation as the third most common health problem of public school children after tooth decay and dental problems.

But being infected with head lice is just one thing — and the easiest to solve. What makes it difficult for children is the various effects they will suffer from, physical and otherwise.

In terms of physical effects, symptoms of head lice begin with intense itchiness, which leads to scratching, which will then result in wounds that later on get infected. With regard to social effects, kids who suffer head lice often experience being ostracized by playmates and classmates, mistakenly thought of as having poor hygiene, poor social standing or being financially poor.

Lastly, and more importantly, there are the psychological effects to the child, such as the feelings of shame, anxiety, and the fear of being punished or reprimanded.

It is then crucial for parents and teachers to ease these various burdens of lice-infected children by giving them all the help, support, and understanding that they need. At the first sign of kuto, parents are advised to turn to head-lice treatment shampoos made from natural ingredients. Lamoiyan’s Licealiz shampoo contains the active ingredient Pyrethrin, which is naturally derived from chrysanthemum flower extracts. The Philippine Dermatological Society endorses Pyrethin as safe and reliable in removing head lice and their eggs, also known as nits or lisa.

Licealiz is applied on the hair like regular shampoo, left on for 10 minutes before rinsing. The recommended application is twice a week for two weeks. Unlike other treatments, Licealiz has a hair conditioning formulation that keeps hair soft and healthy. It is also available in a variant that cools the scalp after washing.

Licealiz is priced up to 50 percent lower than competing brands. It is also available in convenient and even more affordable 10ml sachet packs.