The head louse is a parasitic insect that lives on the human scalp and lays eggs in the hair. Lice eggs are referred to as nits. A female louse can lay between 60-100 nits in a month. The female produces an extremely strong glue-like substance that attaches the nit to the hair shaft

Head to head contact is the most common form of transmission. Lice do not jump or fly from head to head, but crawl. Articles such as combs, brushes, towels, pillowcases, hats or other head coverings also aid in the spread of head lice. Please discourage your child from lending or sharing personal articles mentioned above. Head lice do not affect animals.

Symptoms may include excessive itching, often with scratches. Whether or not itching is present, infestation can best be confirmed by the presence of nits/eggs. Nits appear as tiny whitish-tan ovals that are cemented to the hair shaft, usually near the scalp in “hot spots” (back of neck and behind the ears), but can be found anywhere on the head

Head lice may be treated with a prescription from your physician, an over-the-counter treatment shampoo or treatment cream rinse. Whatever product you choose, please remember to read and follow all package instructions carefully. This is to insure that all the lice are killed. A second treatment is recommended in 7-10 days.

The most effective method is manual removal of the eggs immediately after the first treatment, along with the second shampoo/cream rinse treatment 7-10 days later. Clean clothes and towels must be used after treating the child.

Besides the hair, it is important to clean the environment……..

1. All articles that your child uses, or has contact with, must be washed in hot, soapy water and dried in the dryer at a high temperature. This includes (but is not limited to), clothing, jackets, stuffed animals, hats, pillows and bedding. Clothing that has been used within the last days before infestation must also be cleaned at this time.

2. If the article cannot be washed as described, it must be dry cleaned, or sealed in an airtight plastic bag for two weeks

3. Upholstered furniture, rugs, mattresses, carpeting and car seats must be vacuumed thoroughly. Dispose of the vacuum bags, or if no bags, you may spray the inside of the vacuum with a lice control spray.

4. All combs and hair brushes must be soaked in a 2% Lysol solution, hot water (more than 130 degrees), rubbing alcohol, or a lice killing treatment for one hour.

To avoid the repeat of head lice, immediate removal of the lice nits is an important part of the treatment. Since the shampoo does not kill all the nits, a nit may hatch a few days after the initial treatment, and the cycle will begin again.

1. Work under a good light, such as sunlight or a strong lamp. If eyesight is a problem, a magnifying glass may help.

2. Use a clean comb to remove tangles, making sure to clean the comb immediately after using. Use a smalltooth comb (included in the lice kits) or fingernails, to remove the nits

3. Divide the hair into sections and fasten off the hair that is not currently being looked at.

4. Comb through the same section of hair and look for attached nits (lice eggs). Nits are generally laid close to the head but can be found anywhere on the hair shaft.

5. Using a nit removal comb, go through a section of hair starting at the scalp and proceeding to the end of the hair shaft. Dip the comb into a cup of water and/or use paper towel to remove any lice, nits, or debris from the comb.

6. The lice comb does not remove all the nits, so you will need to use your fingernails to pull the remaining nits off the hair shaft.

7. Go to the next section of hair until all sections have been completed.

8. Even under the best conditions, a few nits may be missed. Check the infested person every 1-2 days for at least two weeks until all signs of the infestation are gone.

Please take your child to the school office to be checked before returning to class. The school nurse or other personnel will check the student upon their return to make sure the lice and nits are removed.