Back-to-School Resources
Be sure to check out the online poison prevention educator resource center for back-to-school resources. Here are some of the tools that can help you plan successful school programs:

• Guide on “How to make a look-alike display” - Offers tips on how to create an effective look-alike display.
• Children’s activity book - Includes fun educational games, along with safety tips on how to be “poison smart.” It is intended for children from kindergarten through the fourth grade.
• Story Time Tool Kit - A comprehensive tool kit that includes a story guide based on the book “Five Little Monkeys with Nothing To Do,” educational materials and craft ideas that helps librarians, teachers and other educators incorporate poison safety into story time activities.
• Presentation Guidebook – Presentation ideas, tips, activities and stories appropriate for different audiences: Children (preschool, K-3, 4-8), adults, older adults, Latinos and caregivers.

Log on to the resource center at www.IllinoisPoisonCenter.org/outreach to download these and other helpful resources.

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Making a Difference Going Electronic  
Making a Difference is now offered in an easy-to-read electronic format, with links to all the stories and information appearing right in your e-mail inbox.

Register for the e-version at: www.mchc.com/IPC/MaD/signup.asp Registered educators also can download a copy of the newsletter from the educator resource center at www.IllinoisPoisonCenter.org/outreach.

The print version will be discontinued later this year.

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Free Poison Prevention Educator Resource Center & Training
Visit www.IllinoisPoisonCenter.org (Resources for Educators section) to register as an IPC educator. All registered educators have unlimited access to presentations, downloadable activity sheets, free magnets, stickers and brochures, an online ordering system and more.

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WANTED: Poisoning Stories
Have you heard a heart-warming tale of how the Illinois Poison Center has helped someone? Have you had an experience with the call center that has made a difference in your life? Then we’re looking for you!

The IPC staff is looking for people willing to share their stories and experiences with others. These stories may be used in the consumer newsletter, Poison Prevention, on the IPC Web site or in other marketing materials. Please share your stories with us, so that we can help demonstrate the true importance of the IPC and the services it provides.

Please send all stories to Robin Antognoli at rantogno@ilpoison.org.

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Free CE Credit for Illinois Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians
 The Illinois Poison Center is offering FREE CE credit (1.0 hour) for the first 120 licensed, certified pharmacists or pharmacy technicians practicing in Illinois to complete the Illinois Poison Center’s online Poison Prevention Educator Training Course. Log on to www.IllinoisPoisonCenter.org/outreach to take the course.

Don’t Be Bugged This School Year
Julie Williamson and Tyka Timpe, PharmD Candidates; St. Louis College of Pharmacy

The season for head lice, that is, the start of school, is nearing, which can create anxiety for a parent whose child becomes infested with it. Although getting rid of the parasites seems to be the primary goal for parents and school nurses, proper treatment is crucial for the safety of the child.

Commonly used medicated products include over-the-counter permethrin (Nix®) and prescription permethrin (Elimite®). Another prescription, lindane (Kwell®), is still available but rarely used. It is important to remember that these topicals are not just shampoos; they are pesticides. These chemical treatments work by overstimulating the nervous system of the parasite, causing seizures, paralysis and eventually death. Unfortunately, use of these products can cause the same effects in humans, especially those at high risk (infants, children, elderly and those weighing less than 110 pounds). The risks are more common with lindane; however, improper use of permethrin has also caused adverse events.

Nonchemical treatments, such as combing and treating the home, have shown to be as effective as chemical products without compromising patient safety. Proper home treatment includes laundering linens and clothing in hot water, enclosing stuffed animals in plastic bags for fourteen days, and vacuuming the home and car in places where the head may have touched. Head lice can be removed by combing with a fine-tooth comb multiple times a day to remove nits and lice. If medicated therapy is necessary, pyrethin products are the first line drugs to be used and the agent of choice. Administration procedures should be closely followed using the smallest amount of shampoo necessary. Retreatment should not take place until seven to 10 days following the initial treatment.

Because lindane puts the patient at highest risk for serious adverse effects, it should only be considered last line therapy when all other treatments have failed and used under the care of the treating physician. Also, due to improper storage, accidental ingestion of these products has occurred when they were mistakenly taken as cough syrup.

When making recommendations concerning lice treatment, remember that combing and treating the home is an effective alternative to chemical therapies. If a chemical agent is necessary, proper administration can help prevent toxicity from occurring.

As always, if a parent or caregiver has any questions or concerns about these types of poisoning issues, they should call the Illinois Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.

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