• ELIMINATING HEAD LICE
    FROM YOUR CHILD AND YOUR HOME

    Check your child's hair daily for 1-2 weeks & weekly thereafter.

    Lice eggs (nits) are tiny white or brown oval bumps that are glued around a hair shaft near the scalp. Scratching or brushing may move them along the hair, but they are removed only by pulling them off the entire hair shaft with a metal lice comb or your fingernails. Lice are tiny and move very quickly through the hair.


    Tell children not to share combs, brushes, hats, scarves, or coats.

    Lice may be spread person-to-person or from pillows or sheets, car or movie seats, couches, or rugs.


    Pick up your child quickly if you are told that lice have been found.


    Children infested with lice are not allowed to ride the school bus home;
    you must come to pick them up at school (or send another adult in your place).
    With prompt treatment, children can return to school in one or two days
    and the problem in your home can be stopped early. 


    Follow directions for getting rid of lice:

    1. Use a non-toxic head lice treatment (available at pharmacies).


    2. Use of lice shampoos with pesticides is NOT recommended:

        •    They no longer kill most lice and nits
        •    They cannot be used if sores from lice bites are on the head.
        •    They do not make it easy to remove nits from the hair.
        •    Many people, including pregnant women and infants may be harmed by the pesticides they contain.

    3. Remove all nits (by combing in natural sunlight, if possible).
        (Lice combs may help but the best method involves hand picking each egg down and off each strand of hair.)


    4. Place nits you remove on a paper towel or tissue and flush or throw away outside.
          (The nit removal gels (and lice shampoos) do not kill nits. Nits that land on a table, your lap, or the floor can hatch and infest all family members.)

    5. Wash and dry at high temperatures all of your child's sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and clothing. Keep your child's clothes and linens away from those of other family members.

    6. Vacuum frequently and very well all floors, rugs, furniture, pillows, and mattresses.

    7. Check the hair of all people in your home and frequent visitors also. Nurses will check adults upon request.

    8. Return your child to school quickly:

        • Your child must be in school in order to learn. Call your school nurse after 2 days if you are having trouble.
        • Students absent more than 3 days will be counted as "unexcused"; truancy proceedings may result.
        • Because the nurse must check all children's hair before readmission to school, you must accompany your child. If lice are found, your child must return home.



    Eliminating & Preventing Head Lice

    Get in the habit of checking your child's hair WEEKLY!


    What am I looking for?

      • Nits (lice eggs)- Tiny white or brown oval bumps that are glued around a hair shaft near the scalp.
      • Lice- Bugs the size of a sesame seed. They walk fast but don't fly or jump.


    What do I tell my children?

      • Don't share hats, coats, combs, or any item that has touched someone's head.
      • Don't put your head directly onto someone else's head- even your best friend's.
      • Tell a grownup if your head is itchy, so you can be checked.
      • Anyone can get head lice! It does not mean a person or their home is dirty.


    What if I find lice or nits?

      • Don't panic. Call your school to report your child's absence and follow the directions above in order to get rid of lice/nits.