INFORMATION FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE

HORACE MANN SCHOOL

Lee-Ann Halbert, R.N., School Nurse

Don't panic! Anyone can get head lice.  It has nothing to do with cleanliness, nor does it reflect on you as a parent.  This nuisance disease can be eliminated by carefully following these instructions.

• Examine your child's head to be sure you know what the live lice and nits look like.  Nits are tiny grayish-white eggs attached to the hair near the scalp and are sometimes more prevalent behind the ears and at the nape of the neck.

• Check all other family members to see if they are infested.  Any family member with evidence of head lice must also be treated at the same time as the infested child.

• Use an effective head lice treatment.  Consult your physician/health care provider regarding the treatment recommended.  If a pediculicide is recommended, it must be used exactly as directed.  Before treatment, remove any cream rinse from previous shampooing because this may reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.  Repeat treatment again in 7-10 days if the directions so indicate.

• Remove the nits (lice eggs).  Because the pediculicide/recommended treatment may not kill all the eggs, it is very important to remove all traces of the nits to prevent reinfestation.  The nits may be picked off the hair shaft with a sliding motion.  A special fine-toothed comb for this task can be helpful.  The nits that are removed should be placed into a plastic bag that can be tied off and discarded outside your home. Daily checks/removal of nits for 4 weeks is also advised.

• Wash all clothing, bed linens, and towels in hot water (130^o F) and dry them on Hot cycle for at least 20 minutes.  Items that cannot be safely washed (stuffed animals, helmets) may be stored in a tightly sealed plastic bag for two weeks or dried using high heat.  Continue to wash linens regularly for the next four weeks.

• Clean combs and brushes in hot soapy water.  Water should be at least 130^o F, and it is advisable to let your combs and brushes soak in the hot water for at least 10-15 minutes.  Family members should not share combs, brushes, or scrunchies.

• Vacuum carpeting and upholstered furniture and car seats, especially where children may sit, play, or watch television.  The use of insecticide sprays of fumigants is neither necessary nor recommended.  Do a thorough job and discard this initial vacuum bag promptly. It is recommended that  you continue to vacuum regularly over the next four weeks.

• Head lice survive only on humans and do not affect family pets.  Head lice may survive 24 - 48 hours off a human host.  If the insect in the nit was not destroyed by the treatment or removed, it could potentially hatch in 7-10 days. To eliminate head lice and nits from your home and help prevent their spread to others, follow the above directions carefully.

• Your child must be accompanied by a parent/guardian upon his/her return to school. The school nurse will inspect your child's scalp.  If there is no active infestation, i.e., live lice or five or more nits 1/4" from the scalp, you child may reenter school.