Factors contributing to the overuse of chemical pesticides in children with persistent head lice.

A growing number of head lice cases, for reasons that are not entirely clear, are repetitive or enduring. Despite the emerging phenomena, there has been little in the literature to guide school nurses in their day-to-day struggle with families experiencing head lice infestations that persist despite repeated treatment attempts. Children with persistent head lice are at increased risk of overexposure to chemical pesticides from multiple-treatment sources. In addition, school absences for persistent head lice infestations place children at risk educationally.