Head Lice: Solving 'Nit Picky' Pediculus Capitis
Target Audience: Pharmacist, Pharmacy Tech
Course Overview
Infestation with head lice is a common problem. The stigma associated with head lice (pediculus humanus capitis) often results in significant social and financial burdens. Healthcare professionals often collaborate on head lice to educate the public, enhance self-care opportunities, and dispel prevalent myths. Comprehensive training is essential to equip these professionals with the knowledge of proper diagnosis, prevention of misdiagnosis, and treatment protocols, which are vital for addressing patient needs and preventing re-infestation. The topic will discuss how to accurately differentiate head lice from other scalp conditions. Approaches to precise diagnosis and treatment will be discussed, and interprofessional team communication will be mentioned. This module will also cover diverse strategies for reassuring patients, mitigating resistance, and providing attendees with up-to-date information to effectively combat head lice infestations.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Identify and Dispel at least three common myths about head lice
- Distinguish head lice from other scalp conditions
- Summarize current head lice treatments
- Formulate a collaborative multidisciplinary plan of care for a patient
Faculty
- Introduction
- Prevalence of Head Louse Infestations
- Myths, Barriers, And Complications Around Head Lice (Pediculus Humanus Capitis)
- Myth: Poor Hygiene Causes Head Lice
- Myth: Head Lice Can Jump or Fly
- Myth: Pets Can Spread Head Lice
- Myth: Only Children Get Head Lice
- Barriers to Head Lice Treatment and Eradication
- Complications from Head Lice Infestation
- Medical Team Approaches to Preventing Infestation
- Prevention Through Education
- Clinical Manifestations
- Differential Diagnosis
- Treatments for Head Lice Infestation
- Patient Case Study
- Follow-Up and Support
- Unique Populations: Special Considerations
- Ways Medical Teams Can Work Together to Improve Outcomes for Head Lice Infestation Patients
- Collaborative Education Programs
- Integrated Treatment Protocols
- Environmental Management
- Summary
- Disclosures
From July 11, 2026 through July 11, 2028, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in planning, developing, and/or authoring this activity: Anna S. Smith, MPH, BSN-RN; and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. None of the individuals involved in developing this activity has a conflict of interest or financial relationships related to the subject matter. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature, and it is designed solely to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant's professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals must consult their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization for guidelines, protocols, and procedures to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures, but is for academic purposes only, and this course's limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses is constantly changing. Any person taking this course understands that such a person must make an independent review of medication information before any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only, and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
PTCB Recognition
RxCe.com, LLC, offers pharmacy technician continuing education courses for PTCB recertification. Pharmacy technician courses are indicated both in the Target Audience description and the ACPE UAN which will end with a "T".