Lice
Lice is a common nuisance that affects predominantly elementary age children. This can be attributed to the proximity in which children gather, play and socialize. Please find the Round Rock ISD Lice Protocol below:
NOTEBOOK
The campus nurse will keep a notebook to track students with live lice or nits. Students will not be excluded for live lice. The nurse should reexamine the student’s head 7-10 days after treatment.
TRANSMISSION
The process of transferring lice from one individual to another generally occurs from prolonged and direct head-to-head contact. Transmission of lice is more likely to occur in the home setting versus the school setting. Lice do not jump or fly. They do not live off of a human host for more than 24 hours.
SCREENING
Mass screenings are disruptive to student and teacher class time and take away from the nurse’s ability to address the physical or mental needs of students. RRISD will not conduct mass screenings. Mass screenings increase the potential for lice phobia and unnecessary use of lice medication that can cause resistance. It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to check their student's head on a routine basis. If the teacher notices excessive head scratching the student can be sent to the clinic for a check. A parent may call and request a head check for their student; however, parents may not call and request a head check for another student. A STUDENT’S LICE ISSUE MAY NOT BE DISCUSSED WITH ANYONE OTHER THAN A CUSTODIAL PARENT OR GUARDIAN.
NOTIFICATION LETTERS
If the nurse determines or otherwise becomes aware that a student in the class has lice, a letter will be sent home to the student’s parent and to the entire classroom alerting other parents to check their children for lice. If nits are found, a letter will go home only to the parent of the student.
EXCLUSION
In accordance with the CDC, the APA, and NASN recommendations, students will not be excluded from school for nits or live lice.
TREATMENT
It is recommended that an FDA approved, over the counter lice product be used. Follow the directions on the package carefully. Seven to ten days later the student should be treated with the same product again to ensure nits that were missed by the comb are killed after hatching. Ten days after treatment, the campus nurse should examine the student for nits and lice. If live lice are found parents will be advised to contact their physician.
CONTROLLING THE HOME ENVIRONMENT
Excessive cleaning is not recommended, as lice cannot live off of a human host for more than 24 hours. It is recommended that all recently used clothes, towels and bedding material be washed in the hottest water and dried on the highest setting. Stuffed animals do not have to be placed in plastic bags for several weeks. If the child sleeps with a stuffed animal or blanket it will need to be washed in the hottest water and dried on the highest setting. All of the child’s combs, hair brushes and hair accessories should be cleaned in at least 130 degree F soapy water. These items should not be shared. Spraying of furniture, rugs, carpets and pets with a lice insecticide is not recommended. If one member of the family is infested then all members need to be checked. If lice are found they need to follow the treatment guidelines.