Pediculosis (head lice) Information
It is important to monitor your children on a regular basis for Pediculosis (head lice) and to communicate with your school nurse to prevent recurrence and/or spread. Head lice is common among school-aged children and while it is a nuisance, it does not cause medical harm and can be effectively treated. Pediculosis (head lice) are tiny, wingless insects that live mainly on the scalp and base of the neck. They do not fly, jump, or burrow under the skin and are spread through direct person-to-person contact. Head lice crawl from an infested person to a non-infested person, usually from head to head contact. Although less common, they can also be transmitted through contact with an infested person’s personal items, such as hair brushes, hats, bedding, towels, or clothing. An adult louse is about the size of a sesame seed and usually tan to grayish-white in color. An adult female louse lives from about a month and can lay up to 3-5 eggs per day. The eggs, or nits, are tiny, gray, oval specks that are firmly attached to the hair close to the scalp. If not treated appropriately, the eggs will hatch in about 7-10 days.
Symptoms: The major symptom of head lice is itching caused by the bite of the louse. Persistent scratching of the head should be a cause for concern and should be evaluated.
Treatment: Treatment consists of shampooing the infected person's hair with a medicated shampoo or cream rinse. Be sure to follow the package or label instructions carefully. Remove all nits after treatment and continue to check for nits daily for 10 days. Treatment is typically repeated in 10 days to kill newly hatched lice.
It is also important to treat personal items. Machine-wash all washable items in hot water and dry them in a hot dryer. Non-washable items (fury toys, pillows) may be dried in a hot dryer for 20 minutes. Combs and brushes should be soaked in hot water or medicated lice shampoo for 10 minutes, and all upholster furniture, rugs, mattresses, and cars should be vacuumed thoroughly. Head lice usually die off of a human host in 24 hours.
School attendance guidelines: The school nurse will notify you if your child is found to have head lice and will instruct you on the appropriate treatment and nit removal. Children do not need to be immediately sent home if lice or nits are discovered. It is important for parents/guardians to inform the school nurse if they have discovered head lice at home and have treated their child. Confidentiality will be maintained and your child’s privacy will be respected. A responsible adult must accompany the student to the school nurse upon returning to school after treatment has been done. The school nurse will recheck your child in 10 calendar days to ensure proper nit removal and effectiveness of the treatment.
It is important for parents/guardians to monitor their children for symptoms of Pediculosis weekly and inform the school nurse of any positive findings to help avoid spread. Talk to your child about sharing personal items. You should examine your child’s head, especially behind the ears and at the back of the neck for lice and nits. Please contact your school nurse with any questions or concerns.