This Month we are going to be talking about Lice
What are lice?
Head lice are small, tan-colored insects (less than 1/8” long) that live on blood they
draw from the scalp. The eggs (nits) are gray/white and about the size of the head of a
pin. The lice and eggs are found on the hair. Lice can live only 1-2 days away from the
scalp. Head lice crawl; they do not jump or fly. One sign of lice is an itching head.
TIP
How to recognize nits versus dandruff or dry skin: Dandruff should easily be flicked off the hair shaft while the nits are sticky and will cling to the hair.
How Head Lice are spread:
· They are spread from one person to another by direct contact with hair or head gear of infected people; or by the sharing of items such as combs, hats, and other clothing.
· They are spread only by crawling lice (not nits). Less commonly, lice may spread by sharing personal items such as combs, brushes and other hair-containing items (towels, pillows, hats).
· Lice do not jump, so unless there is direct contact, they will not spread in school.
Treatment:
• Apply head lice treatment (over the counter or prescription) specifically made for
killing head lice. Parents should be encouraged to call their child’s doctor for a
treatment recommendation. Treatments come in a variety of forms such as
shampoo, cream rinse, and gel. Follow the directions on the label as
recommended by the manufacturer.
• For treatments given within the preceding 12 hours, lice may still be present and
alive, but moving much slower. That does not mean the treatment is ineffective.
However, if there are live lice after 12 hours post-treatment, then a health care
provider should be reached for a more effective remedy. (Rationale: it can take
time for many treatments to be fully successful).
• After the hair has been treated, it is best, although not required, to have all eggs
or “nits” combed or hand-picked from hair in the following way:
o While hair is still damp, comb hair through to remove tangles. Then
remove nits from the hair shaft. You will need a bright light (and
magnification, if available) to see the nits; a fine-toothed comb,
preferably made of metal, to strip the nits; a good book or video may
assist in keeping the child occupied. Comb the hair from underneath,
small sections at one time. To prevent re-infestation, it is essential to
inspect the hair daily for one week. Continually strip any nits you may
have missed by running your fingernails down the hair shaft. Although
complete removal of nits is time consuming, it is necessary.
• Inspect all family members and treat if live lice are found. Children under 2 years
of age and pregnant mothers should not be treated without consulting with a
health care provider.
Lice can survive in the environment for 24 – 48 hours. The following
environmental treatments are recommended:
a. Excessive housecleaning is not necessary; however, you should vacuum furniture,
rugs, and floors if household members lay their head on these objects.
b. Wash all recently used bedding & washable clothing in hottest cycle for 20
minutes.
c. Heat pillows, blankets, or other fabric items that are in contact with hair in a clothes
dryer at hottest cycle for 20 minutes. If dryer is not available, or for items that
cannot be laundered with hot water, these items can be kept in a plastic bag for 10
days.
d. Clean child’s combs, brushes, and other hair accessories such as clips and
barrettes in hot water for 5 minutes; or solution of 1/4 cup bleach in 1 gallon of
water for at least 10 minutes.
e. Spraying an insecticide on furniture, rugs, or pets is not recommended.
Prevention:
• Encourage children not to share headgear, combs, brushes towels and bedding –
anything that touches hair.
• Provide storage so that these personal items of one household member do not touch
the other items.
• When someone is possibly exposed to head lice, encourage parents to incorporate
inspecting child’s hair as part of a hygiene routine.
District Policy
Find the District Policy Here: https://www.sandiegounified.org/departments/nursing_and_wellness_program/communicable_diseases
Resources
State of California Guidelines on Head Lice Prevention and Control for School Districts and Child Care Facilities November 2015 and other Head Lice resources:
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/SchoolGuidanceonHeadLice2015.pdf
· American Academy of Pediatrics Head Lice Policy and Clinical Report
published October 2017.
· California School Nurses Organization (CSNO) Head Lice (Pediculosis) Position Statement:
· National School Nurses Organization (NASN) Head Lice Management in the School Setting (Revised 2016): https://schoolnursenet.nasn.org/blogs/nasn-profile/2017/03/13/head-lice-management-in-the-school-setting
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