Message from the school nurse about head lice

Dear Student and Parents,

Head lice infestation is a common problem in schools across the nation. Parents, students and school staff working together and communicating are key in helping to treat and prevent recurrent infestations. Head lice costs money, time and can cause embarrassment and frustration for all involved. I want to take this opportunity to review a few key points about lice and to let you know that your school nurse can be a confidential resource for questions, head checks and information.
Head lice are bugs that feed on human blood and live in close proximity to the scalp (they are less dangerous than mosquitos, which also feed on blood but can spread disease!)

• Head lice do not transmit any diseases.
• Head lice cannot hop or fly; they crawl. Transmission in most cases occurs by direct contact with the head of an infested individual. Indirect spread through contact with personal belongings of an infested individual (combs, brushes, or hats) is much less likely but may occur rarely.
• Be knowledgeable about the signs of an infestation: (1) finding live lice on the head (2) finding the tiny eggs especially at the nape of the neck or behind the ears (3) itching of the scalp may or may not be present. No one can do a more careful and thorough check of your child’s head than you, the parents.
• Prevention includes periodic checks of your child’s head for lice AND if they are symptomatic. Please communicate to school staff when there has been an infestation, treated or not.
• Treatment includes the use of a shampoo containing a pediculicide (current 1st line treatment is an over the counter shampoo containing permethrin 1%) AND careful nit removal under good lighting using a metal nit comb and your fingernails. Retreating on day 9 can kill any newly hatched nits, which are very tiny and can be difficult to see.
• If treatment fails after two treatments, please see a medical professional. Research indicates that there is emergence of resistance to available products.
• Our school policy follows the American Academy of Pediatrics, National Association of School Nurses and CDC’s recommendations of a no-live-lice policy versus a no-nit policy.
• Our school policy is to send out notification if your child may have been exposed to lice at school. We only call parents to come pick up their child if live lice are found. After the initial treatment and a head check the next morning by school staff or the nurse, your child can return to school.

Please contact me if you have further questions or want more information.

Anna Sutton, RN
(530) 220-0723, Monday – Friday, 8:30-4pm
asutton@djusd.net