Procedures for the Management of Head Lice in the School
Head lice are an emotional issue for parents and school
personnel alike. However lice do not
carry disease, are not commonly contracted at school and upon the
recommendation of the American
Academy of Pediatrics,
Vermont Department of Health, Harvard School of Public Health and the National
School Nurses Association should not be a reason for exclusion. Students should not feel alienated because
they have or are perceived to have lice.
Lice:
- An adult louse is about the size
of a sesame seed and usually pale gray or reddish-brown in color.
- A female louse lives up to 3-4
weeks, lays about 10 eggs (nits) per day and “glues” them to the hair
shaft, close to the scalp. They are
difficult to dislodge.
- Live (viable) nits, about the
size of a poppy seed, are camouflaged with pigment to match the hair color
of the infected person.
- Empty egg casings (eggs that are
hatched) are easier to see, appearing white against darker hair.
- With a first case of head lice
itching may not develop for 4 to 6 weeks (it takes time to develop
sensitivity to louse saliva).
- Head lice usually survive less
than 1 day away from the scalp at normal room temperature.
- Eggs cannot hatch at an ambient
temperature lower than that near the scalp.
- Eggs cannot be spread from person
to person.
- Lice are host specific; they
survive only on humans and cannot be spread by household pets.
School
Management:
- Parents are encouraged to
proactively check their child’s hair for lice (especially if the child is
symptomatic) periodically throughout the school year. The school nurse
may inspect a student’s head upon request of a parent. However, a regular inspection by a
parent/guardian by combing through wet hair with a fine tooth comb is much
more effective.
- If live (crawling) lice are found
the parent is notified of the suspected infestation with the understanding
that the student may remain in school for the rest of the day.
- Information is provided to the
parent as to the biology of lice and methods to eliminate infestation.
(see Management and Treatment of Head Lice).
- The school nurse may recheck the
student’s head upon their return following treatment, if requested to do so
by the parent.
- It is NOT justifiable to notify
classmate’s parents, do mass screenings, bag clothes or restrict use of
headphones, helmets, or similar items.
- The parent should notify the
parents of their child’s close contacts of the infestation.
The above information and
guidelines of management are taken from the recommendations of the American
Academy of Pediatricians, Harvard School of Public Health, Vermont Department
of Health, and National Association of School Nurses.
05/13
