HEAD LICE

What are lice and nits? Lice are tiny but visible insects. They live in hair and survive on human blood. The eggs of lice are called nits. They too are very small but visible. Nits are extremely tiny and white, and they cling to the hair. The female louse attaches her eggs to the hairs near the scalp. The eggs hatch and leave empty nit shells on the hair. As lice mature, they begin laying more eggs. It takes seven to 10 days for lice to mature.

How are head lice spread? Lice are spread most of the time by head-to-head contact with a person with head lice or by contact with their personal belongings (such as combs, brushes, coats, hats, bed linens, or towels) that have live lice or eggs on them.

What are the signs of head lice? Lice and nits, although very small, can be seen in the hair and scalp. Nits may resemble dandruff. Itching of the scalp is very common, but with mild cases, children may not complain. Irritation of the skin at the hairline and ears due to scratching may be present.

Who should be treated? Treatment is recommended for persons with an active infestation. All other household members and close contacts should be monitored but not treated unless lice or nits are found. Bedmates of the person with lice or nits should be treated.

How are head lice treated? Medication in the form of shampoo or crème rinse is available both over-the-counter or by prescription. It is very important that medication instructions be followed exactly as written. Nit removal is also very important. The best way to remove nits following treatment is to separate hair into small sections and wet comb each section with a fine-tooth comb. Clean comb after each section of hair is combed. Nits should be placed in a sealed trash bag. Nits can sometimes live through the treatment, then hatch and re-infest. If crawling lice are seen after full treatment, consult your healthcare provider. Retreatment is generally recommended but does not treat an infected person more than 2-3 times with the same medication if it does not appear to be working. Parents should consider consulting their primary care provider.

School Attendance: Students diagnosed with live head lice will be sent home immediately from school. Parents should treat their child immediately and return the child to school the following day after hair has been treated. Nits may remain after treatment, but successful treatment should kill crawling lice. Prior to re-admittance to class, students must be seen by the lice screening team. Students who present 3 times within a nine week period will be placed on a no nit policy.

For additional guidance regarding Cumberland County Schools’ Best Practices contact the Office of Health Services at 910-678-2406 or your child’s Public Health School Nurse.