School Procedures Lice Document

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.

http://cesu-nurses-information.cesu.k12.vt.us/modules/locker/files/group_files.phtml?parent=17031042&gid=2296367&sessionid=f9bedc951c422ca339ee67636e9c7aea

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