A case of head lice (pediculosis) has been identified in the school. Don’t panic! Head lice are not considered a health hazard as they do not spread disease and/or illness. Head lice among school children are a common frustration; however, the spread of head lice can be controlled and prevented.
Head lice multiply quickly and can spread from person to person easily (especially in children as they have more head to head contact). Having head lice is not associated with age, sex, race, social class or hygiene. The following information will help you control and prevent the problem of head lice in your home.
- Please check your child (ren)’s head for lice every 2 days for the next 10 days. Using a good light source (sunshine works best) check the hair, section by section, especially around the ears, nape of the neck and crown, for live head lice and nits (eggs).
- It is also important to check the head of everyone in the household, including your own.
If you find live head lice, treat right away. For more information about treating head lice, please see the attached “Effective Treatment of Head Lice” or consult a doctor or pharmacist.
- Please notify the school, daycare, close friends, etc., that your child has head lice.
- Wash all brushes, combs and hair accessories used within the last 3 days in hot water (66°C or 130° F). All items that were in contact with the affected person(s) within the 3 days prior to treatment (i.e. clothing, jackets, hats, linen, pillows, toys) can be washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer for 15 minutes. Dry clean items that cannot be washed
- You may wish to vacuum all carpeting and upholstered items that the affected person has come in contact with (i.e. carpets, sofas, chairs, mattresses, car upholstery). Extensive housecleaning is not necessary as head lice and nits (eggs) do not live off the head for more than 3 days. Nits (eggs) are not likely to hatch at room temperature.
If head lice is not found, continue to inspect your child (ren)’s head once a week. You can also help prevent head lice by:
- encouraging children to keep their hats and scarves inside coat pockets and sleeves.
- discouraging children from sharing combs, brushes, hats, scarves, hair accessories, or earphones.
- tying long hair in ponytails or braids.
Your co-operation is an important part of the efforts being made to completely control the spread of head lice in the school.
Effective Treatment of Head Lice
Treating Head Lice
Chemical treatment cautions
Head lice are treated with a specially medicated shampoo or creme rinse that’s available at pharmacies.
Parents and guardians should always check with a physician or pharmacist if the chemical treatment will be used:
- On a child under the age of 2.
- On a woman who is pregnant or breastfeeding.
- By a woman who is pregnant or breastfeeding.
When to treat
Parents and guardians should treat the child only if they actually see live lice on the hair shafts and scalp.
If you see only nits (eggs), recommend that parents or guardians:
- Delay treatment
While nits (eggs) might signal a live infestation, they don’t necessarily mean that live head lice are present. The nits (eggs) may have already hatched, could be too far away from the warmth of the scalp to hatch or may be confused with dandruff, dust, etc.
- Check the child’s head every two days over a period of 10 days.
Parents should only treat if they find live lice during this time.
- Parents can choose to remove the nits (eggs) by:
a. Grasping the firmly glued nit between a finger and thumb then pulling it down the hair shaft or
b. Using a specially designed lice comb.
Post-treatment guidelines
After the first treatment parents should:
- Check the child’s head to make sure the treatment was successful. It has been successful if no live lice are found.
- Speak with a pharmacist about another chemical treatment if they still find live lice.
- Continue to check the child’s head every day for 10 days.
- Do a second treatment 7 to 10 days after the first successful treatment. (Chemical treatments don’t completely kill nits (eggs). The second treatment will kill lice that hatch after the first treatment.)
After the second treatment parents should:
- Visually inspect the child’s head to make sure the treatment was successful.
- Parents can remove the nits (eggs) if they choose, though this is optional as nits (eggs) do not spread from head-to-head.
- Inspect the child’s head every two days for 10 consecutive days.
- After 10 days of inspecting without detecting more live head lice, return to checking the child’s head once a week for nits (eggs) and lice.
Preventing Head Lice
Knowledge is one of the most important steps to both prevention and treatment.
Parents and school staff both play key roles in preventing head lice.
Prevent head lice infestations in school by:
- Inspect your child’s head and scalp once a week for nits (eggs) and live head lice.
- Avoid sharing personal items that come in close contact with the scalp such as combs, hats, scarves, helmets and earphones.
- Keep hats and scarves in coat sleeves or pockets.
- Encouraging your child with long hair to tie it back in a ponytail or braid.