8451 - PEDICULOSIS (HEAD LICE)

Whenever a student is found to be infested with head lice, his/her parent/guardian will be notified of the infestation and requested to pick the child up immediately. Additionally, the student will be told of the infestation and reassured that it is a very treatable condition and nothing to be ashamed of. The student will also be educated in the transmission of lice and told not to share combs, hats, etc. with others.

When the parent picks up his/her child, the parent will be informed that the student needs to be treated before s/he returns. The student will be permitted to return to school after it is confirmed that the child is free of any nits.

The parent will be provided with information that provides guidance and educational material concerning the epidemiology, treatment and follow-up procedures for the infestation and will also be shown by the school nurse or health staff member the evidence of the child's infestation. The parent will be informed that other family members might be infested and need treatment. If the parent is unwilling or unable to identify nits or lice, s/he should be advised where this service is provided (local health department, clinic, physician's office).

If the parent/guardian is unable to visit the school (i.e., pick up the student), a phone call to the parent explaining the above information shall be made and the additional information will be sent home with the student.

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).

Only children and family members who have head lice should be treated. If parents are unsure if a child has lice, the hair should be combed with a lice comb to see if lice are present.

Procedure for treatment and follow-up:

1. If head lice are confirmed at school, the actions described above will be taken.
2. Parents need to notify the school health staff if they discover lice at home. They should notify parents of their child's close friends.
3. The school health staff is readily available to discuss treatment and follow-up of head lice. 
4. A class letter will be sent home for confirmed cases of head lice.
5. Parents are to treat the child with a lice-removal product at home, following exact directions. They also are to treat the home environment by vacuuming, and washing bed linens, clothing, brushes, and sports helmets.
6. The student may return to school after treatment and if no nits are found in the hair. When the student returns, s/he is checked by the health services staff.
7. Parents need to continue to check for eggs (nits) and lice by combing the hair daily. If eggs and live lice are still present after a week, a second lice-removal treatment should be done. Parents should check for nits and comb their child's hair until no lice are found for two (2) weeks.
8. Parents should continuously observe their children for signs of head lice - scratching, redness at the nape of the neck, and nits attached to the hair shaft, mostly behind the ears and at the base of the neck.
9. If unsure, parents are encouraged to check with their pediatrician for any recommended treatment. The health services staff will check any student for lice by parent request.
10. If more information is needed, please refer to the Centers for Disease Control website: www.cdc.gov.

© Neola 2012