LICE

At school, children are in contact with many other children.  One of the problems they may encounter is head lice (pediculosis).  The school nurse may contact you if your child or someone in his or her class or grade has head lice.

Lice are tiny gray bugs, approximately 1/16” long and are often difficult to see.  The eggs (nits) are easier to find.  They look like white flecks at the base of the hair shaft, but do not shake off like dandruff.  The major symptom of head lice is itching of the scalp.  They do not transmit any diseases and are not a sign of uncleanliness.

Lice live only on human beings.  They are spread from child to child by sharing hats or combs or by very close head-to-head contact. They crawl; they do not fly or jump. The eggs hatch in about one week.

Treatment is fairly simple.  Use an over-the-counter anti-lice shampoo containing 1 % permethrin such as Nix.  Use as directed.  After shampooing, remove the nits by combing through the hair with a fine-tooth comb.  The first application will kill the live lice, but may not always kill all of the eggs. Some nits may be missed as they can be difficult to remove; we therefore recommend a second treatment 7-10 days after the first. 

Some schools have a “no nits policy” that does not allow children to return to school until all visible nits are gone. Removal of nits after treatment with a pediculicide is not necessary to prevent spread, because only live lice cause infestation.  It can be done for aesthetic reasons, but the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend a “no nits policy” as it promotes absence and unnecessary treatments.  Each school will make its own determination.

In order to get rid of any lice around the house (they can live off the body for 24-48 hours), vacuum your child’s room and other places in the house he or she has been in the past 24-48 hours, clean combs/brushes with hot water and wash clothing, sheets, blankets and pillowcases in hot water.  Any items which can not be vacuumed or washed such as stuffed animals or toys should be put in a plastic bag for 2 weeks (allowing any live lice to die). Other household members should be checked and should be treated if their scalps itch or if lice or nits are seen.



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