Head Lice

 Getting head lice is not a sign of poor health habits or being dirty.  It does not happen only
to the poor, racial or ethnic groups.  It’s best to learn how to recognize, treat and prevent
it from happening again.

Head lice are tiny insects that live in human hair.  They hatch from small eggs, called nits, which are attached to individual hairs. Head lice can be spread in a number of ways, not only by physical contact.  Borrowing a comb or brush from a person who has lice is one way.  They can be transmitted from borrowed hats, backpacks, scarves, or other head coverings, or sleeping in the same bed or using the same pillows.

SIGNS TO LOOK FOR:

1. Persistent itching of the head and back of the neck.
2. Little white eggs, that are called nits, are attached to the individual hairs.
3. Tiny grey-brown bugs crawling in the hair.
4. Scratch marks or a rash on the scalp and back of neck.

Dandruff can be confused with nits. 
Try removing the specks from the hair. 
Dandruff or drops of hair spray can be easily removed. 
Nits, however, are very difficult to remove.

TREATING HEAD LICE:

Hair and scalp:

1. Purchase a special lice shampoo at the supermarket or drugstore and follow the directions.  Vinegar and other home
       remedies DO NOT work.
2. Remove dead lice and eggs with a fine tooth lice comb.
3. Repeat in seven to ten days per lice shampoo instructions.

HOME TREATMENT:

1. Wash all items that may contain lice or nits, such as clothes, towels, bed sheets, hats, etc.  These should be washed
       in hot water and detergent or dry cleaned.
2. Disinfect combs and brushes by washing in hot water with lice shampoo.
3. Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, mattresses, etc.
4. All family members should be checked periodically for one month after an infestation.  If any lice or nits are found
       they should be treated promptly.

SCHOOL IN FORMATION:

• Notify the school nurse promptly if one of your children has head lice.  This will allow for further screening to     prevent further infestation.
• Your student may return to school once he/she has been shampooed and the nits have been removed from the hair.