Pupil Services
Health

Head Lice

Head lice can happen to anyone, it is not a sign of having poor health habits or being dirty. The most important fact to remember is that the problem should be quickly treated because delays will only help spread the infestation throughout your family and community.

Head lice are very small, tan-colored insects (less than 1/8" long) which live on human heads. They lay their eggs (nits) close to the scalp. The eggs are tiny (about the size of the eye of a small needle) and gray or white in color. Lice can only survive 1 to 2 days (possibly longer) away from the scalp and their eggs cannot hatch at temperatures lower than the body's temperature.

Symptoms & Signs include itching of the scalp and neck. Look for crawling lice on the scalp, usually few in number, eggs (nits) glued to the hair, often found behind the ears and at the back of the neck, and scratch marks on scalp or back of neck at hairline.

Lice are spread by direct person-to-person contact and by sharing personal items such as combs, brushes, hats, scarves, jackets, blankets, sheets, and pillowcases. Lice do not jump or fly. They only lay their eggs while on the head. Lice do not spread to or from pets.

Treatment of Head Lice:

1. Use a lice-killing shampoo, lotion or crème rinse obtained either over the counter at the drugstore or by prescription from your physician.
2. Follow the directions carefully. Directions will vary, depending on the product used. If live lice are seen after treatment, try a different brand. Be sure to shake bottle well before use.
3. For some medications, a second treatment is recommended 7 to 10 days later to kill any nits that may have survived the first treatment. If you use a prescription medication, discuss this with our physician. More than 2 treatments are unnecessary and could be harmful.
4. The removal of nits may be facilitated by:
   • Combining with a fine-toothed nit comb designed for this purpose
   • Soaking the hair with white vinegar (3% -5% acetic acid) and then applying a damp towel soaked in the same solution for 30 - 60 minutes
   • Applying enzymatic nit remover

Caution! Vinegar and commercial enzymatic nit remover should be used
according to the manufacturer's recommendations to assure that
the residual activity of the lice treatment is not affected.

Prevention/Control of Head Lice:

1. Avoid sharing hair care items, towels, bedding, clothing, hats, and headgear, such as sports helmets.
2. Hang clothing in individual lockers or on assigned coat hooks.
3. All contaminated combs, brushes, and similar items must be disinfected by:
   • Soaking in the medicated shampoo for 10 minutes, or
   • Soaking in a 2% Lysol ® solution for 1 , or
   • Heating in water of at least 130º F. for 10 minutes
4. Clean floors, furniture, mattresses, and carpeting by thorough vacuuming. The use of insecticide sprays is not recommended.
5. Recently-worn clothing, bedding and towels should be washed in hot (130º F. or higher) water and dried in a hot dryer for at least 20 minutes before being used again. Unwashable clothing, linens, and stuffed toys can be dry cleaned or sealed in plastic bags for 2 weeks.
6. Check your child's head frequently throughout the year. If one person in a family, day care, school, etc., has head lice, others should be checked too. Only those who have lice should be treated.
7. To assure effective treatment, check previously treated children for any evidence or signs of new infestation daily for 10 days after treatment. Repeat treatment may be necessary.

Exclusion:
Students are excluded until first treatment is completed and no live lice are seen. If the child has repeated re-infestation (3 documented exclusions), it is recommended that the child be free of nits before returning to school. The student may be asked to provide the school with the shampoo label indicating proof of treatment.

These recommendations were provided by the Douglas County Health Department. If you have further questions, please call the Douglas County Health Department at 444-7214.

If you have any questions/concerns that have been left unanswered, you are asked to call your school nurse.