• Head lice cases have been on the rise.  An estimated 6 to 12 million infestations occur each year in the United States, most commonly among children ages 3 to 11.  Head lice do not cause disease, are not a sign of cleanliness, and are not a public health hazard.

     

    Head lice are tiny, wingless insects that live close to the human scalp.  They feed on blood.  the eggs, also called nits, are tiny, tear-drop shaped eggs that attach to the hair shaft.  Nits often appear yellowish or white, and can look like dandruff but cannot be removed or brushed off.  The nymph, or baby louse, is smaller and grow to adult size in one to two weeks.  The adult louse is the size of a sesame seed and can vary in color from tan to grayish-white.  Head lice are most commonly spread by direct head-to-head contact, and are proven to have low contagion in classrooms (American Academy of Pediatrics). Lice do not fly, and their specially adapted feet make jumping impossible and holding on to smooth surfaces like plastic or metal (i.e. helmets or headphones) very difficult. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the potential spread due to contact with an infested person’s clothing or other personal items (such as hats, scarves, coats, combs, brushes or towels) is very uncommon, and hygiene/cleanliness in the home or school has nothing to do with getting head lice. 

     

    Prevention is focused on avoiding head-to-head contact (common during play at home, child care, school, sports activities, playgrounds, slumber parties and camps) and by prompt treatment of infested persons.

    Typical symptoms include:

    • persistent itching of the scalp;
    • sores on the head caused by itching;
    • nits (eggs) near root of hair concentrated behind ears and at nape of neck; and
    • live lice noted on scalp.

     

    Please continue to educate your child about avoidance of close head-to-head contact, and check his/her scalp routinely for evidence of lice. We recommend you consult a licensed medical provider for treatment if you suspect someone in your household has head lice. Should you decide to use an over-the-counter treatment, the CDC recommends you select an FDA-approved product since most home remedies have not been proven to be safe or effective. You should follow manufacturer’s instructions strictly and treat all household members suspected to have lice. Retreat according to product instructions (usually 7-9 days) and consider nit removal to decrease the chance of the infestation reoccurring. 

     

    To help protect our students and community, please notify the parents of your child’s playmates if you suspect your child has lice and keep all children who have live lice at home until effectively treated.  This can help control the spread of lice more effectively.