Licealiz Battles Head Lice Infestation With Kilusang Kontra Kuto

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About one-third of elementary public school students in the Philippines suffer from head lice-related problems. Head lice infestation or pediculosis can cause severe itchiness and infection of the scalp, but this could be the least of these children’s worries; the social stigma associated with having kuto can leave lasting psychological damage on both children and their parents.

A survey of communities visited by the Licealiz caravan last year found that 47%of respondents from Visayas and 76% of respondents from Mindanaos aid that their children were bullied and teased for having head lice, causing some of them to miss school to avoid their peers. The parents, on the other hand, feel incompetent and embarrassed for being unable to prevent head lice from infesting their children.

The Kilusang Kontra Kuto at the first leg of the Nationwide Oplan Alis Kuto Caravan at Enlisted Men’s Signal Village Elementary School in Taguig

The Kilusang Kontra Kuto at the first leg of the Nationwide Oplan Alis Kuto Caravan at Enlisted Men’s Signal Village Elementary School in Taguig

Licealiz Head Lice Treatment Shampoo conducts shampooing programs for children all over the Philippines

Licealiz Head Lice Treatment Shampoo conducts shampooing programs for children all over the Philippines

One of Nationwide Oplan Alis Kuto’s goals is to educate parents and their children about head lice through lectures

One of Nationwide Oplan Alis Kuto’s goals is to educate parents and their children about head lice through lectures

(L-R) Lamoiyan Corporation Senior Marketing Associate Jacquiline Pe, UP Manila College of Public Health Representative Dr. Arlene Bertuso, Department of Education Director IV of External Partnerships Service Marge Ballesteros, Mommy Bloggers Philippines Representative Lanie Lluch and Lamoiyan Corporation Marketing Director Bing Cavestany

(L-R) Lamoiyan Corporation Senior Marketing Associate Jacquiline Pe, UP Manila College of Public Health Representative Dr. Arlene Bertuso, Department of Education Director IV of External Partnerships Service Marge Ballesteros, Mommy Bloggers Philippines Representative Lanie Lluch and Lamoiyan Corporation Marketing Director Bing Cavestany

In response to this, Lamoiyan Corporation’s Licealiz Head Lice Treatment Shampoo launched Nationwide OplanAlisKuto as a part of its Kilusang Kontra Kuto effort to educate the public on lice infestation issues. The caravan was launched in partnership with the Department of Education, University of the Philippines Manila College of Public Health and Mommy Bloggers Philippines with the goal of traveling to different schools and barangays all over the country to hold shampooing programs and lectures for students and their parents.

Last September 27, the first leg of the caravan was held at Enlisted Men’s Signal Village Elementary School in Taguig, one of the most populated public schools in Metro Manila, where over 200 students and parents attended the lectures and shampooing activities.

Marge Ballesteros, Director IV of the External Partnerships Service of DepEd, said about their involvement in the campaign: “We are delighted to partner with Lamoiyan Corporation in informing the public about head lice infestation issues. The Department of Education became a part of the Kilusang Kontra Kuto to help reach out to students studying in the most populated public schools in the Philippines, which are the most vulnerable to head lice infestation. The program also educates parents and teachers to help build a better understanding of head lice issues in the local community.”

Lanie Lluch, a member of Mommy Bloggers Philippines and a mother of two, also shared her experience in dealing with head lice.

“My parents would often rely on suyod to treat my head lice, which wasn’t really an effective method; balik lang ng balik ang mga kuto at kamot lang ako ng kamot even after my parents used suyodon me. When it was my turn to deal with the kuto problems of my children, I felt bad for not knowing what to do. And I know lice infestation can also negatively affect my children’s social life since kuto infested kids are more prone to bullying,” Lanie shared.

“After unsuccessful attempts at ‘homemade’ lice remedies like mayonnaise, vinegar and olive oil, I was just about ready to quit. I refused to use kerosene, which could be harmful to my children, and I definitely did not want to shave their heads bald. Finally, I heard about Licealiz and I found it to not only affordable but also effective. It easily got rid of my daughter’s head lice after two weeks of use. Licealiz has been a real blessing to us, and seeing what they’re doing with the Kilusang Kontra Kuto campaign was really inspiring too. On behalf of Mommy Bloggers Phiippines, I would like to say that we are happy to join Licealiz’s campaign to battle lice infestation in the Philippines,” said Lanie.

To help prevent the spread of head lice, experts like Dr. Bertuso, an entomologist and professor from UP Manila College of Public Health, recommend that parents regularly inspect their children’s hair, as well as the hair of everyone in the household. “Parents should also keep a keen eye on their surroundings, as head lice tend to cling to upholstery, pieces of clothing, and carpets. Kuto might not be deadly, but the social stigma associated with having them makes kuto infestation a public health problem worthy of concern,” Dr. Bertuso said.

Now on its second year, the Kilusang Kontra Kuto aims to raise awareness about lice infestation issues and prevent and treat head lice infestations. Last year, the campaign reached 30 communities and over 10,000 children and parents in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

“We want to remove the stigma associated with having kuto by educating communities on lice infestation issues,” said Lamoiyan Corporation Marketing Director Bing Cavestany. “We want to drive home the message that everyone can be potentially infested by kuto, that it’s not something to be ashamed about, and definitely not something to ridicule others for. We also hope to encourage these communities to unite and take action to solve this public health problem together,” shared Cavestany.

Licealiz invites everyone to join the Kilusang Kontra Kuto in changing the public’s perception about head lice infestation and spreading correct information regarding head lice prevention and treatment.

For more information on head lice prevention and treatment, visit Licealiz’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/licealiz.

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