PEDICULOSIS (HEAD LICE) | Administrative Guideline Manual

8451 - PEDICULOSIS (HEAD LICE)

Pediculosis, or head lice, is classified as a nuisance condition and is not known to transmit infectious disease from person to person. The primary goal of identification and notification is to ensure that the child receives safe and effective treatment. The District will emphasize prevention and education as primary measures to control head lice in the school setting.

Current evidence-based practice does not support the exclusion of students for head lice, nor does it support the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of classroom or school-wide screening to decrease the incidence of head lice among schoolchildren. School administrators and school nurses are encouraged to help educate parents and staff about the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of head lice.

Definition: Head lice are tiny, wingless parasitic insects that live on the human scalp, feeding on small amounts of blood. They are about the size of a sesame seed and attach their eggs (called nits) to the base of hair shafts near the scalp. They cause itching and irritation but do not spread disease.

Transmission: Head lice spread mainly through direct head-to-head contact. Lice are less commonly spread by indirect contact with personal items such as clothing, hats, headphones, combs, and brushes. Head lice can be found in every community at all times and are not an indicator of cleanliness or socioeconomic status. Lice are a nuisance, but do not spread disease

Symptoms: The first indication of head lice may be an itchy scalp. Additional symptoms may include visible lice or nits behind the ears and neck, or red bumps or sores from scratching.

In accordance with recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the National Association of School Nurses, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, the following guidelines and procedures shall be used to respond to the presence of head lice in the school setting.
Head lice shall be treated as a medical issue deserving the same level of confidentiality as any other medical concern.

Procedure

If a student is found to have head lice or untreated nits, the school staff will notify the parent.

School staff will notify the parent and recommend that they pick up the student immediately and have the student treated with an FDA-approved lice treatment (e.g., pediculicide/ovicide) by a qualified healthcare provider or at a clinic specializing in lice and nit removal. If a student with live lice or untreated nits cannot be picked up immediately, they may remain in the classroom for the remainder of the school day.

If suspected of having head lice, the student shall be removed from the classroom as unobtrusively as possible for further inspection.
The student may be inspected privately by the school nurse or other trained building personnel designated by the Principal in collaboration with the school nurse.
The proper way to confirm the presence of lice is to find actual lice in the child's hair. Transmission of lice most often occurs by direct contact with the head of another infested child, as lice do not jump or fly. Indirect contact can include personal belongings of an infested child (combs, brushes, hats, pillows, and bedding).
Parents will be provided with a guide for treating head lice.
The parent will be informed that other family members might be infested and need treatment.
If the parent is unwilling or unable to provide appropriate treatment, they should be advised where this service may be provided (local health department, clinic, physician’s office, etc.).
Stress daily nit removal to parents and remind them to check all family members and notify close contacts. Siblings will be screened upon parents' request.
Inform parents that if live lice are found after initial treatment, they will be notified to pick up their student as per the school's protocol and provide additional treatment.
The student will be permitted to return to school after appropriate treatment and confirmation by health staff that no live lice are present.
If nits are found after initial treatment with an FDA-approved pediculicide/ovicide or other treatment, the child may stay in school. Nit removal should be done at home. Additional assistance at school will be provided at the staff's discretion.
With parent permission, school staff may discreetly notify parents of close contacts, strictly maintaining student confidentiality at all times.
The school nurse or trained staff may conduct follow-up checks at seven (7) and fourteen (14) days post-treatment to ensure effectiveness.
Targeted screenings may be conducted in response to confirmed cases. Routine mass screenings are not necessary or recommended and may be disruptive.
The District reserves the right to inspect other known household contacts (e.g., siblings) and close personal contacts attending school to help stem outbreaks in other classes. However, checking an entire classroom or student body is seldom necessary or effective.
Parents are requested to report to the school cases of head lice infestation that they discover at home. The school nurse will determine what interventions are appropriate in the school setting.
If the parent notifies the school that head lice/nits were found at home, the student may return to school after an FDA-approved or other appropriate lice treatment.
Cases of recurrent lice or noncompliance with an FDA-approved or other appropriate treatment will be addressed on a case-by-case basis by the Principal and the school nurse.
Parent conferences may be appropriate when a student is frequently absent due to head lice infestations. Referrals to community agencies may be appropriate.
Head lice information shall be available upon request.
All discussions and examinations related to head lice will be conducted confidentially to respect student privacy and reduce stigma.

While no school can ever guarantee that it will be entirely free of head lice infestations, efforts focused on awareness and prevention are believed to result in fewer outbreaks and be cost-effective and time-saving.