Help with Head Lice


                                                                            Help with HEAD LICE ...
See the source imageDefinitions:
Head lice: tiny wingless brown insects about the size of a sesame seed that like to feed on human blood.
Nits: tiny teardrop- shaped lice eggs. Can be oval and whitish in color and stuck to hair.  
               
Dear Parents/Guardians: 

Head lice cases are an issue that's commonly dealt with in the school setting. Control of head lice depends on prompt diagnosis and effective treatment. Your help in inspecting your child at least weekly throughout the school year for the presence of head lice would be greatly appreciated.

We suggest the following procedure for inspecting your child for head lice:

1. Under bright light begin looking at the back of the head just above the neck area. Common locations for lice/nits are the nape of the neck and behind the ears.

2. Part the hair section by section and look closely for head lice, or nits (eggs). Eggs will usually be located near the scalp and stuck to the hair. Dandruff will move easily if touched.

WHAT TO DO:


If suspect your child has head lice please notify the school nurse. A treatment should be done prior to your child returning to school. Remember the process does not stop with one treatment. Combing and inspection of hair should continue daily for several weeks before returning to a once a week schedule. The school nurses are here to help with any questions you may have. For further information, and treatment options, please search head lice on any of these websites listed below:

Head Lice 101

Head Lice 101 part 2

The National Association of School Nurses

Massachusetts Department of Public Health

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention