Head Lice

  • Dear Parents,

    Lice is a common childhood ailment, so it is a good idea to routinely check your child’s scalp.  If you find lice, more than likely it will be a minor case and easily eradicated.  

    Head lice are passed from person to person by direct contact or by shared objects (combs, towels, barrettes, caps, etc.) so check each member of your household. Look for tiny white eggs (nits) on the hair shaft near the scalp, and especially at the nape of the neck and behind the ears. Head lice themselves are very small (sesame seed size) grayish-tan insects without wings. The most common symptom of infestation is intense itching on the back of the head or neck. All family members with lice should be treated.

    Head lice cannot survive without a human host. They cannot survive on family pets. Contact your health care provider and choose an effective treatment based on thier reccommendation.  Use pediculicide shampoos as directed, and follow the steps below  to help eliminate head lice in your home and to prevent their spread to others.  If you do discover lice or nits among your family, please notify the nurse promptly, so that we can work together to contain its spread.

    After treatment take these steps to help keep your family members and household lice free: (1) soak all combs, brushes, etc. in hot water (over 130 degrees F) for 10 minutes, (2) wash exposed clothing, bed linen, and towels in hot water and dry in a dryer on hot cycle, for at least 20 minutes, (3) items not machine washable must be dry cleaned or stored at room temperature in a tightly sealed plastic bag for at least two weeks: this includes bicycle helmets and headphones, (4) vacuum mattresses, upholstered furniture, pillows, carpets and car seats and immediately dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag.

    District protocol:  In the event that a student is reported by the parent to have head lice or a student is discovered to have head lice during the course of the school day, siblings and close contacts of that student will be screened by the school nurse.  If additional cases of head lice are found, parents of those students and those in the class affected will be notified. Students presenting with live lice will be excluded from school and reexmained upon entry after treatment.

    Please refer to the CDC website for additional information:

    https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/index.html