• Dear Parents,

    Please read the following information which may help you understand head lice and preventative measures that can be taken. Click Lice treatment and referral info

    When children come in close contact with each other, it is easy to spread head lice. Shared hats, clothing, brushes, pillows, headbands, and other personal articles are perfect vehicles to transfer lice from one person to another. It is important to act immediately to prevent the spread of lice to other classmates and to you and your family as well.

    Head lice are small, only 1/16" of an inch long, about the size of a sesame seed. They may be grayish-white with dark edges or they may blend in with hair color. While they cannot jump or fly, they crawl quickly, making it difficult to find them.

    Diagnosis of head lice is generally made when lice eggs (nits), which are fastened to the hair shaft, are clearly evident. Nits are teardrop in shape, and also very small, only about 1/32 of an inch, about the size of a grain of sugar. They are "glued” to the hair and cannot be brushed or combed off like dandruff.

    Clusters of nits may be found in any section of the hair, but they are more apt to be found behind the ears, at the nape of the neck, and on the top of the head, or crown area.

    The most common symptom of an infestation is intense itching on the back of the head or neck. Head lice can survive without a human host for 24 hours. They cannot live on family pets. There is little evidence to support that they carry disease.

    Children may return to school after treatment with a lice-killing product, and comb-outs for the removal of nits. Combing out usually requires multiple consecutive days, combing until no nits are seen.

    We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

    Sincerely,

    Health Office