DEAR PARENTS/GUARDIANS:
A student in your child’s grade level had head lice. While lice infestation is NOT a disease and head lice do not spread disease it is an expensive and time-consuming process to effectively rid a child of lice. Lice cannot hop or fly; they crawl. Transmission in most cases occurs by direct contact with the head of another infested person. Indirect spread through contact with personal belongings of an infested person (combs, brushes, hats) is much less likely but cannot be excluded. It is probably impossible to totally prevent head lice infestations.
Please check your child for lice/nits on a regular basis. “Checking” means visually observing the hair and combing it with a metal nit comb. Nits look like flakes of dandruff or droplets of hair spray. The difference is that dandruff or hair spray will come off easily when the hair shaft is shaken, whereas nits are very difficult to remove. If you see lice or nits on your child’s hair, follow the directions on the back of this page. If you aren’t sure what you are looking for please contact me. Most children should not need to miss any school because of lice.
This letter is a reminder to be vigilant in checking your child’s head. Parents of a child found to be infested at school will be called so that the child may go home for treatment. Teachers discourage children from sharing any articles of clothing, brushes, combs, and hair ornaments. Please be aware that it is no longer recommended that the school nurse screen all class members.
For more detailed information I encourage you to read reports and recommendations found on the following web sites: The Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov/az/a.html), The American Academy of Pediatrics (www.aap.org/policy/0203.html), and The National Association of School Nurses (www.nasn.org/Default.aspx?tabid=237).
Respectfully,
Jamie Peterson-Strokosch, RN, BSN, CSN
Irving School Nurse
Treat the Infested Person
1. Apply lice medicine (pediculicide) according to label instructions. Do not use more of the product or use more often than the label instructions. Do not use a crème rinse or combination shampoo/conditioner before using lice medicine. Don’t rewash hair for 1-2 days after treatment.
2. Nit (head lice egg) combs should be used to comb nits and lice from the hair shaft. Many flea combs made for cats and dogs are also effective. Nits can also be pulled out with fingernails. Rinse comb in hot water between combings. Check hair and comb with a nit comb every 2-3 days after treatment.
3. Check all family members, including adults. Shampoo anyone who has nits. Do not use shampoo on any child under 2 years. Lice do not infest household pets so they don’t need to be treated.
4. Treatment with suffocation agents such as vinegar, alcohol, olive oil, mayonnaise, melted butter, or Vaseline have been advocated but most have not been scientifically studied and are not considered to be effective means of louse control.
Treat the Household
1. Machine wash all washable clothing and bed sheets, blankets, mattress pads, and pillows which have been in contact with the infested person during the last three days. Use the HOT water cycle. Dry laundry using HIGH heat for at least 20 minutes.
2. Dry clean clothing that is not washable.
3. Items that cannot be washed or dry cleaned (stuffed animals, comforters, etc.) need to be stored in a sealed plastic bag for 2 weeks.
4. Soak combs and brushes for 1 hour in rubbing alcohol, Lysol, or wash with soap and hot water.
5. Vacuum the floor, furniture and car seats. The risk of getting re-infested from a louse that has fallen onto a carpet or sofa is very small so don’t spend a lot of time on this. Just vacuum the places where the infested person usually sits or lays. Do not use fumigant sprays; they can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
Prevent Reinfestation
1. Avoid head-to-head contact during play at school and at home.
2. Do not share clothing, such as hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms, or hair ribbons.
3. Do not share combs, brushes, or towels.
4. Do not lie on beds, couches, pillows, carpets, or stuffed animals that have recently been in contact with an infested person.
5. Inspect and comb your child’s hair with a nit comb on a regular basis. Treat promptly if you see lice or nits.
