HEAD LICE
Head lice are present in any type of setting where there are lots of children. We are asking parents to look at their own children at least weekly to identify cases early and limit the size of the outbreak. . The key to treating head lice is to be open and honest (it’s not a sign of poor hygiene or being dirty) to let other parents know if you find lice on your child so all can treat early and watch for any recurrence. Weekly head checks by parents makes a huge difference in controlling and removing the case completely. Catching it early makes it much easier to treat. Treatments are not 100% effective because they do not kill the nits on the hair shaft right on the scalp. As the hair grows the nits are easier to see, the treatment will kill the nymphs as they hatch a week to 10 days later. is under control or reoccurring from which is more likely about three weeks after treatment because .
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Most infestations occur with children ages 3 yr. to 12 yr. old.
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Head lice are wingless insects and do not jump or fly. They are spread almost always through head-to-head contact.
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95% are transmitted through person-to-person contact. Less than 5% through indirect exposure (hats, combs, helmets, towels).
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Head lice can be a nuisance, but they have not been shown to spread disease.
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The Iowa Department of Public Health does not recommend that students be excluded from school.
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By the time serious itching occurs, lice may have been present for at least a month. 50% of head lice cases do not cause itching.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses do not support group screenings as an effective way to control head lice in schools. If head lice are found on a student, he/she can stay in school for the remainder of the day. A phone call or a note will be sent home notifying the parent. It is expected that treatment will be started before the child returns to school the next day.
TREATMENT
Treatment needs to be initiated when an active infestation is present. Please follow the recommendations below:
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Check all members of the household.
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Launder all bed linens in warm water and place in a hot dryer for at least 20 minutes.
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Store all stuffed animals, extra pillows, etc. from the bed that can’t be washed in hot water or the dryer in a garbage bag for 14 days.
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Only ordinary house cleaning and vacuuming is necessary. Vacuum under and around the bed.
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Spend less time worrying about the vacuuming and cleaning and spend that energy on the treatment and removal of lice and eggs.
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Initiate a 14-day treatment process. See chart below for guidance.
Parents and knowledge are the best defense against head lice. Please call the school nurse if you have any questions or are not sure how to check for head lice or what to look for.