Northbridge Public Schools
Head Lice Information
Your child has head lice. Head lice are a common community problem. Head lice are not dangerous. They do not transmit disease but they do spread easily. Anyone can get head lice; it is not related to hygiene or grooming habits. Head lice are tiny, wingless insects that live close to the scalp. An adult louse is the size of a sesame seed. Babies are even smaller. Nits (eggs) can look similar to dandruff, but cannot easily be removed or brushed off; they are attached to the hair strand. Lice cause intense itching. Head lice move by crawling. They cannot jump or fly.
Steps to Eliminate Lice:
Check all family members: Look for tiny pearl gray oval shaped specks found throughout the hair. They are most often located at the back of the scalp, behind the ears, and at the top of the head. Any family member with lice or nits will need to be treated. If your child has had any close contact (sleep overs) with other children, it is important to notify these contacts or the school nurse so they can be checked out as well.
Killing the Lice: There are a number of available treatments including over-the-counter medicated shampoos, homeopathic treatments, and prescription remedies. Call your pediatrician for their recommendation. Be sure to follow the treatment instructions carefully. Misuse of the products may cause harm.
There is also a website with organic head lice treatments and a service that will help you treat head lice and remove nits. The website is https://www.bernadetteslrcri.com .
Removal of the Nits: 30% of eggs may survive the treatment. The removal of all nits is essential for the successful elimination of head lice. There are several ways to remove nits. A comb is usually included with the lice shampoo, but it is not always effective. A comb that has met with great success is “The Terminator”. It is a specialized comb with grooved teeth which catches the nits more effectively. Manual removal by pulling the nits out with the fingers is also effective. Sometimes it is helpful to comb the hair in sections and pin back completed areas as you go.
Cleaning the Environment: Wash all clothes, hats, coats, bed linens, towels, washable toys, stuffed animals and any other possibly infested items in HOT water. Then dry them in a HOT dryer for at least 20 minutes. Seal items that cannot be washed or dried in plastic for 2 weeks. Soak combs and brushes in HOT water (130 degrees) water for 60 minutes. Thoroughly vacuum rugs, mattresses, upholstered furniture and car seats.
Return to School: Do not return your child to school unless he/she has been treated and all nits (eggs) are removed. You MUST accompany your child to school on their first day back to be checked by the nurse following treatment. Northbridge has a No Nit policy. If nits are found by the nurse, you may be asked to take your child home with you for further combing/removal of nits. A nit free head is essential to prevent re-infestation. PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL ON THE BUS UNTIL CLEARED BY THE SCHOOL NURSE.
Alternative Method of Treatment: Some parents have reported success from the Cetaphil method: Apply Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser to the hair and massage it into the scalp. Wait two minutes and comb out the cleanser. Remove nits with a comb or your fingers and blow dry the hair until it is completely dry. Leave the dry cleanser on the hair for at least 8 hours. After the allotted time, shampoo with your regular shampoo. For additional information you may refer to the Internet, for example https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Head-Lice-with-Cetaphil
http://www.valleypediatrics.com/docs/Head%20Lice%20Cetaphil%20tx.pdf
If you have questions, please contact your school nurse.