Monday April 7th/2008

12:10: The Health Roundup with Jay McQueen.

12:15: You’ve heard the warnings now it’s time to get the lowdown on plastic bottles and sippy cups and which ones are safe for your little one. Plus, do you know the difference between a 1 and a 7 when it comes to plastics? (and if we have time, 19 ways to go green inside and out).
Guest: Melissa Carter, Editor, Canadian Family Magazine. 416.364.3333 x3137

12:20: The debate over just how much water we should be drinking each day gushes on. A new study suggests that there are few health benefits to drinking large amounts of water.
Guest: Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, study co-author from the University of Pittsburgh. 215 898 1530.

12:35: Ever wonder how that diet you’re on affects your significant other? A new study has taken a look at just that and has found some partners to be very supportive, and others, downright snide.
Guest: Dr. Judy Paisley, the study's lead author and an associate professor of nutrition at Toronto's Ryerson University. 905.627.2449

12:45: Rexall Radio Health Matters segment.
Guest: Irene.
Head Lice
Head Lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp. They lay eggs, called nits which stick to their hair very close to the scalp. Head lice do not spread disease. Having lice does not mean you are unclean. Head lice are vey common among children, especially girls due to close contact. Daycares, schools are more likely to be infested, but Lice can affect persons of any age or socioeconomic group. Head lice affect ‘s 1.5 million Canadian children per year. Cases of human louse infestations have steadily increased since the 1960’s affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Head lice is not a health hazard and does not contribute to the spread of disease. Head lice are spread through direct contact, or indirectly on items such as hats, combs, brushes or headphones. They can’t fly or hop, but can crawl very quickly. Head lice can’t live on pets such as cats or dogs. Head lice can live up to three days off the scalp. Although the eggs can survive for up to three days, they need a very warm environment to develop and very unlikely to hatch at room temperature. The head louse is about the size of a sesame seed, wingless, elongated and flat. It has short antennae and six legs that a re capable of grasping hairs In order to crawl quickly. Narrow sucking mouth parts are hidden inside the head structure and are used to suck blood from the human scalp every 3-6 hours while injecting saliva. The life cycle of the head louse has three stages.
Stage 1/ Nits
• Adult female lays up to 10 eggs daily
• Newly laid oval shaped eggs are opalescent where eggs that have hatched are white
Stage 2/ Nymphs
• The eggs hatch 7-12 days after being laid
• Looks like an adult louse, but much smaller
• It can not reproduce and is barely visible to the naked eye
Stage 3/ Adult Lice
• Maturity takes about 11 days
• Female lays 50-150 eggs in her lifespan of 3-4 weeks
• No agents are 100% ovicidal, so treatments require at least 2, typically separated by a least seven days to eradicate hatched eggs.

Where to find head lice?
• Close to the scalp
• Behind the ears
• The back of the neck
• Top of the head
• First signs are itching and scratching the head ( possible to have head lice without symptoms)

How can Lice be treated?
There are a number of very effective treatments for head lice. Some treatments contain insecticide that kills the lice.
Approved insecticides: Pyrethrin / Permethrin / Lindane ( should not be used on infants or young children) . You do not need a prescription to obtain these products.

• Wash items (bedding & towels & cloths & hats & coats) in hot water and a hot dryer for at least 15 minutes or store items in an airtight plastic bag for two weeks.
• Children with head lice should be treated and returned to school.


Nadine Janacek
Blog Reporter Rexall #0202