Here is some information for all parents to increase head lice awareness so that you may take steps at home to help prevent your child from becoming infested with head lice. Any time children come together detected head lice cases commonly increase. Direct, physical, head-to-head contact is the usual method of transmission. Lice do not jump or fly. They survive only for a short time away from the human head and have difficulty crawling or clinging to smooth surfaces.
At this time we ask that you routinely check your children's hair for the presence of lice and/or eggs (nits), as well as wash and dry hats and coats on high heat.
How to check for head lice
Head lice are best identified by inspecting the hair and scalp for live lice or nits (eggs attached to the hair shaft)
Carefully part the hair and examine the hair and scalp for nits or crawling lice.
Begin by inspecting the nape of the neck and the area behind the ears, then continue to inspect the rest of the head.
Most recently laid nits will be opaque, white, shiny, and located on a hair shaft within one-quarter inch of the scalp. Empty nit cases are more visible and are dull yellow in color.
Dandruff and scalp conditions such as psoriasis or eczema may easily be mistaken for nits. To differentiate between nits and other debris, remember that hair debris is easily detached or loosened from the hair shaft, and nits are firmly attached to the hair and are not easily removed.
If Lice are identified:
Check everyone in the household at the same time
Notify the School and close contacts
Special products to kill lice must be used
Manual removal of nits after treatment should be done daily for 10 days after infestation
Items that have been in contact with the head of the person with infestation in the 24-48 hours before treatment should be considered for cleaning.
Launder any personal items that could be infested with head lice. Items should be washed for at least 10 minutes in hot water and/or dried on high heat for at least 30 minutes. For items that cannot be washed, seal in a plastic bag and store for 14 days at room temperature or 24 hours in below freezing temperatures.
Vacuum items that should be vacuumed include bare mattresses, carpets, floors, stuffed animals, coat collars, hats, couches, chairs, and car upholstery.
Inspect hair brushes, combs, hair ties, and barrettes. For washable accessories, wash and dry (on high heat) for at least 30 minutes. Soak combs, brushes and barrettes in water hotter than 130 degree.
The best way to prevent transmission:
Teach children not to share combs, brushes, hats, caps, scarves, headgear
Teach children to hang coats - placing hats and scarves inside coat/jacket sleeves
