8450A - PEDICULOSIS (HEAD LICE)
Suggested Procedures for Control
Head lice are wingless, grayish insects only 1-2 mm long which are exclusively parasites of man. They live close to the scalp and lay tiny (0.5-0.8) white eggs (nits) which they glue to the hair shaft. A head louse egg hatches in about a week and the resultant nymph requires seven to ten (7-10) days to become adult. The adult lives another 20-30 days making the life cycle four to five (4-5) weeks.
DIAGNOSIS – Head lice are completely dependent on human blood which they suck from bite wounds in the scalp. The bites produce intense itching which is frequently the first sign of infestation. Scratching may lead to secondary bacterial infection.
TREATMENT – If a child in school is found to have live lice, the child must be sent home with directions for the parent for treatment. Treatments consists of using a pediculocidal shampoo and appropriate cleaning of bed linens, etc. It is advisable to repeat the treatment in one (1) week, even if no further signs or symptoms are present.
Contaminated items involved in the transmission of head lice, such as brushes, combs, hats, scarves, bedding, and towels should be washed thoroughly.
FOLLOW-UP – An infested child will not be allowed to return to school until after treatment and being rechecked by school personnel.
It is not helpful for the child to stay out of school any longer than the time necessary for treatment. Students not returning to school after forty-eight (48) hours are considered an attendance concern and are handled accordingly.
Reinfestations and/or treatment failures sometimes complicate control efforts. Reinfestation is more common than resistance to the chemical agents used in treatment; therefore, children who presist in carrying lice should first be considered reinfestations.
If a child is found to be infested, all family members and close non-family contacts receive treatment at the same time.
The school nurse and teacher should be alert to situations in the school which may foster the transmission of lice, i.e. shared garments, pillows, coat hooks, etc. If there are children infested with lice, these transmission points should be cleaned thoroughly. The school health staff should discuss this with the principal.
Teachers may find opportunities in health classes to discuss prevention and control of lice.
Head Lice Exclusion Procedure
When students are excluded from school by the school nurse, public health nurse, or physician due to head lice infestation, students will be expected to return to school no later than the second day following the exclusion. This means that families are allowed one (1) full day following the exclusion to eliminate the problem by using an effective treatment shampoo. The lice exclusion form which is sent home with the child, will state the expected date of re-admission to school.
Case examples:
Student is excluded on Monday afternoon. The student should be back in school no later than Wednesday morning.
Student is excluded on Tuesday morning. The student should be back in school no later than Thursday morning.
Student is excluded on Thursday or Friday. The student should be back in school no later than Monday morning.
Failing to return on this schedule results in the following:
All subsequent absences are considered "unexcused".
IF YOUR CHILD GETS HEAD LICE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS:
WE CAN GET RID OF HEAD LICE!
CARE OF PERSON:
APPLY LICE SHAMPOO TO EVERY HEAD IN HOUSEHOLD.
USE TWO (2) FULL OUNCES OF LICE SHAMPOO TO SATURATE DRY HAIR.
LEAVE LICE SHAMPOO ON HAIR FOR THE AMOUNT OF TIME STATED ON BOTTLE.
ADD SMALL QUANTITIES OF WATER, WORK LICE SHAMPOO INTO HAIR AND SCALP UNTIL SUDS FORM.
RINSE HAIR WITH PLENTY OF WARM WATER.
REMOVE DEAD LICE AND NITS (EGGS) FROM HAIR WITH A LICE COMB OR FINGER TIPS.
REPEAT THE ABOVE TREATMENT IN SEVEN (7) DAYS.
CARE OF CLOTHING AND PERSONAL ITEMS:
WASH IMMEDIATELY IN HOT SUDSY WATER ALL CLOTHING WORN IN THE PAST TWO (2) DAYS.
DRY CLEAN ANY CLOTHING THAT IS NOT WASHABLE.
WASH COMBS, BRUSHES (ALL HAIR ITEMS) IN HOT SUDSY WATER.
CARE OF HOME:
WASH IMMEDIATELY ALL BED LINENS ON ALL BEDS USED IN THE PAST TWO (2) DAYS.
VACUUM ALL MATTRESSES, CARPETS, AND UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE, AND DISPOSE OF VACUUM BAG OUTSIDE.
STUFFED ANIMALS OR STUFFED TOYS MUST BE SEALED TIGHTLY IN A PLASTIC GARBAGE BAG FOR TWO (2) WEEKS, THEN REMOVE AND VACUUM.
SPECIAL ATTENTION!
CHILD MUST BE TREATED IMMEDIATELY AND RETURNED TO SCHOOL WITHIN FORTY-EIGHT (48) HOURS OF EXCLUSION OR WILL BE CONSIDERED TRUANT.
ALL OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS AND CLOSE ASSOCIATES SUCH AS GRANDMOTHERS, GRANDFATHERS, AUNTS, UNCLES, COUSINS, AND FRIENDS SHOULD BE CHECKED FOR HEAD LICE AND TREATED IMMEDIATELY IF LICE OR NITS (EGGS) ARE FOUND.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
CHECK YOUR CHILD AND FAMILY MEMBERS HAIR FREQUENTLY.
REPORT ALL CASES OF HEAD LICE OR SUSPECTED HEAD LICE TO YOUR SCHOOL PRINCIPAL OR SCHOOL NURSE AT 949-4244.
ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD NOT TO SHARE COMBS, BRUSHES, HATS OR OTHER PERSONAL ITEMS!!
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE ABOVE, CONTACT YOUR SCHOOL NURSE AT 949-4244.