Lice

Prevention begins at home! Although head lice do not pose a health hazard, we recognize the concern and stress lice can produce for many families.

• As of the 2016-2017 school year D39 schools do not perform class-wide lice screenings, a decision based largely on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/135/5/e1355.full#content-bloc
• D39 currently emails notification of lice in the classroom with a minimum of one reported case of live lice.
• When a case of lice is reported, the custodial staff performs an appropriate cleaning of the room. Teachers are asked to launder or contain pillows or upholstered furniture per recommended protocol.
• Repeated and regular thorough checks at home are the best line of defense in addressing head lice. The egg-to-egg life cycle of the louse is approximately 17-26 days: the egg (nit) typically hatches in 7-12 days; the nymph matures over 9-12 days; the mature female lays eggs 1-2 days after maturation. A single check is not sufficient.
• The nurse is always available to check individual students who are symptomatic; students found to have lice are sent home per D39 policy and may return once they are treated and lice free. Students must be checked by the nurse before they can return to the classroom.
• Professional (vs. home) identification and treatment of lice is by parental choice and is not required. Home treatment is a proven successful option; your pediatrician can make recommendations about preferred over-the-counter or prescription strength home treatments. It is critical to follow home treatment instructions from start to finish; incomplete treatment will likely result in re-infestation. Rid is NOT recommended because it does not kill eggs and does not have long lasting activity like Nix does.
• Securing long hair in a braid/ponytail/bun during a period of exposure in the classroom will further minimize the risk of transmission. Lice do not jump or fly; they are transmitted by close head-to-head contact. They also do not live off the body for a period longer than 1-2 days. Please encourage your children not to share hats, scarves, brushes, or hair accessories.
• The Iowa Department of Public Health provides excellent information about the transmission and detection of lice, including a recommended 14-day treatment plan:

Students can be treated at home successfully for lice with over the counter products such as Nix and a fine tooth metal lice comb (or the Welcomb - see below for more information on the Welcomb). Rid is NOT recommended because it does not kill eggs and does not have long lasting activity like Nix does. There are also prescription medications that your pediatrician can prescribe but many insurances may not cover it. Other parents prefer to see specialists trained in removing lice. Below are some local resources that parents have used.

Lice Services

Nit Free Noggins

http://www.nitfreenoggins.com/

1-855-648-3733

$90/ hr for the first hour, then billed in ¼ hour increments (typically 1 ½- 2 hours)

In home service available for an additional charge

525 N. Wolf Rd. Wheeling, IL or 3256 N. Damen Chicago, IL

Happy Hair

http://www.happyhairhelp.com/

1-847-715-9700

In home service

$85/ hour (typically 2-3 hrs) $100/ hour on Sundays

Hair Fairies

http://www.hairfairies.com/

1-773-327-0800

2336 North Clark St. Chicago, IL

Will make house calls (about $50 to go to Wilmette)

$98/ hour for treatment (typically 2-3 hrs) fees are prorated after the first hour

Lice Detectives

http://www.licedetectives.com/

1-847-344-2857

In home service

$100/hr (typically 1 ½ -3 hours) per consultant not per head

Lice Clinics of America

http://www.liceclinicsnorthshore.com/

1-847-282-4226

400 Lake Cook Road Suite 201 Deerfield, IL

$195 for full treatment: heated hair (30 minutes), comb-out (30-60 minutes), active rinse (15 minutes). Also offer express treatment, comb out, or do-it-yourself treatments.

Note: they do not always remove all of the nits. District has a no-nit policy so all nits must be removed before students can return to school

Nits N Nats

www.nitsnnats.com

708-831-4978

7253 W Touhy Ave. Chicago, IL 60631

$75/hr (typically 30-45 min short hair, 1.5-2 hrs. long hair), billed in 15 min increments. Also offer head checks for $25 as well as after hours, emergency hour slots (prices vary), and home visits.

At a recent school nurse conference, I spoke to a representative about a new lice comb called the Welcomb that is supposed to be better at removing nits and lice than metal combs. She said there is no special spray or product needed, it can be used with regular conditioner on the hair. They are currently available at Walmart and Amazon. The company is working to get them in stores like Walgreens and CVS. If you are interested in learning more about this comb/kit you can check out their website here: https://welcomb.com/