Today scabies, an ectoparasitic skin disease caused by the mite "Sarcoptes scabiei" variety "hominis", is estimated to infect over 300 million humans worldwide. Scabies most frequently occurs among children and young adults. Outbreaks in child care facilities and schools are common. Scabies affects all socioeconomic classes and races. Students…

Members of the Armed Services and Reserve Unit Members, both male and female, are being deployed to distant lands for long periods of time, disrupting family life and causing stressful times for the adults and children in the family. Traditionally, the mother of the military family was left to be the caregiver after the deployment of the…

Currently there is a rise in bedbugs seen in schools. The wingless, blood-sucking insects can arrive at school via student book bags, student clothing, or other personal items. If a student presents in the health office with a bite mark, the school nurse will need to differentiate between a bedbug bite and other insect bites, such as fleas,…

Loneliness is a phenomenon that has been recorded in literature throughout the ages. It is now being recognized as problem not only in adults but in children and adolescents as well. Loneliness is an emotional state that can be a barrier to a student's social development and affect their physical and mental health. Various contributing factors and…

No-nit policies that exist in many schools throughout the United States were established years ago based on fear and misinformation, rather than scientific evidence. Children who are found to have live lice are no more infectious on the day of diagnosis than they had been prior to the discovery. Transmission of head lice requires close personal…

Tooth avulsions occur when a tooth is displaced from its socket. Tooth avulsions are common dental injuries that may occur before, during, or after school. Therefore, it is essential that school nurses be well prepared to intervene when such a dental emergency arises. It is also imperative that school nurses and school personnel are fully equipped…