Welcome Back for Another Exciting School Year. Head Lice Are a Common Condition in School

Welcome back for another exciting school year. Head Lice are a common condition in school aged children. The infestation is called pediculosis. To minimize treatment failures it is very important to follow the label directions carefully. The head louse can live only on the human head and cannot live on pets or other animals. Head lice can be contracted by being in close personal contact with an infected person, wearing infected clothing (such as sports helmets or hats), using infested Combs/brushes, or lying on a surface (like a bed, couch, or pillow) that has been in contact with a person with lice.

WE STRIVE VERY HARD AT PHILLIP SHOWELL NOT ALLOWING CHILDREN TO SHARE ITEMS WORN ON THE HEAD OR ALLOW CLOSE HEAD TO HEAD CONTACT WITH FRIENDS.

There are three forms of lice: the adult lice, the nymph and the nit. The adult louse is the size of a sesame seed and tan to grayish white in color. They can live up to 30 days and feed off human blood. If they fall off a person and cannot feed they die within 2 days. The nymph is a pre adult louse and matures in 7 days. The nymph also must feed on blood to survive. Nits are lice eggs and are often confused with dandruff or hair-spray. Nits are firmly attached to the hair shaft (hence the term nitpicker), are oval shaped, and white to tan in color. They take one week to hatch. The signs of pediculosis are an itching or a tickling feeling in the hair. Occasionally sores are found on the head (caused by scratching). Lice are most commonly found at the nape of the neck and behind the ears. Head lice are treated by over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications. The basic treatment plan is to remove clothing and apply lice killing shampoo or cream rinse according to the directions on the label. It is extremely important to follow the label directions exactly. The same is true if you decide to use a nit removal product. If your child has long hair, you may need a second bottle. Do not wash or condition hair prior to using the medication. Do not re-wash hair for 2 days after the treatment. Use the fine tooth comb to remove lice and nits. If 8 to 12 hours after treatment the lice seem as active as before the treatment, the medicine may not have worked. If that is the case, contact your health care provider. Check and comb the hair at least every other day for 3 weeks to loosen and remove nits. If nits increase in number then re-treat. Follow the medication’s directions about how to re-treat. Wash all clothing and bed linens in hot water. Soak combs and brushes for 1 hour in Lysol or rubbing alcohol. Vacuum the floor and furniture carefully and frequently. Head lice can be eliminated by carefully following the directions on the pediculosis control products that are used.

Suggestion: If you can show your child how to place their coat in the book bag before hanging it in the classroom this is another preventative way to avoid contact with lice/nits.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me.

Marie Karitis-Smith- 302-436-1044