Lice Information

GENERAL INFORMATION

Head lice are one of the nuisances that parents of students occasionally find themselves dealing with. RRISD follows the Texas Department of State Health Services recommendations. Individual head checks are performed on an as needed basis. Mass screenings will not be conducted. Parents are encouraged to periodically check their student’s head for lice.  For lice treatment recommendations and RRISD lice protocol, please contact your school nurse. A student will not be excluded from school for live lice. 

Head Lice can occur in all children and at any age. It is not a sign of poor health habits or being dirty. So, let us share with you the ways to recognize head lice, to treat it and to prevent it from happening again.

Head lice are tiny insects (parasites) that live in human hair, feeding on the scalp of the host. The lice hatch from small eggs or nits that are attached to the base of the hair at the scalp.  The eggs hatch in seven to ten days and the new lice reach maturity in approximately two weeks. Because head lice multiply rapidly, prompt treatment is very important.

Head lice are transmitted by head to head contact. Lice do not jump or fly. They also cannot live off of a human host for more than 24 hours.

 WHAT YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR:

Persistent itching of the head and back of the neck can indicate head lice.  Also, look for scratch marks or a rash on the scalp.  Look for lice or nits in the hair, close to the scalp.  Sometimes, small white specks in the hair such as dandruff can be confused with nits.  Nits are very difficult to remove, while dandruff will brush away easily.  At school, we check for lice on individuals heads based on a parent request for their own student or based on teacher observation. Mass screenings are not conducted. You need to check your child routinely. Please call your campus nurse if you have questions.

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 takes away from the nurse’s ability to address the needs of the more physically or mentally disabled 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’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. 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, hairbrushes 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.