Sharing hair combs in classrooms, especially for preschoolers, poses significant risks of transmitting head lice and other infections. This is a common concern among parents, and medical professionals emphasize the importance of individual hygiene to protect children's health.

Head lice live on the hair and scalp, with their eggs, or nits, firmly attached to hair strands. When children share combs, lice or nits can easily transfer from one child to another. Transmission can also occur through close physical contact, such as sleeping near, hugging, or playing with an infected child.

Children sharing combs and toys can transmit lice and infectious diseases. Illustration: Vecteezy

Beyond lice, shared combs can accumulate dead skin cells, sebum, dandruff, and hair product residue. This can increase the risk of scalp irritation, itching, inflammation, and dandruff. To prevent these issues, children should use their own combs in class. Parents should ensure children maintain clean hair, wash it regularly, and keep long hair neatly tied. If a child experiences persistent scalp itching, particularly behind the ears and at the nape of the neck, parents should check for lice and treat them appropriately, avoiding harsh chemicals.

In addition to lice, children at school are frequently exposed to viruses that cause hand-foot-mouth disease. This virus spreads through contaminated hands, toys, and shared surfaces. To prevent outbreaks, parents and schools must consistently apply the "3 cleans" rule: clean eating, clean living, and clean hands.

Alongside personal hygiene and environmental disinfection, Vietnam currently offers a vaccine for hand-foot-mouth disease, available for children from 2 months to under 6 years old. The vaccination schedule typically involves 2-3 doses, depending on the child's age. This vaccine significantly reduces the risk of contracting the disease and requiring hospitalization due to EV71, a virus strain responsible for most severe cases and dangerous complications such as encephalitis, cardiogenic shock, and respiratory failure. Even children who have previously had the disease can be reinfected, underscoring the ongoing need for proactive prevention.

Parents should consult a doctor to vaccinate their children. This provides early protection, helps children avoid missing school due to illness, and prevents parents from having to take time off work for care.

Doctor Tran Huynh Tan

Medical Manager, VNVC Vaccination System

Readers can submit vaccine consultation questions for the doctor to answer here.