When your child comes home with head lice…..

Don't Panic. Anyone can get head lice. It has nothing to do with cleanliness, nor does it reflect on you as a parent. The problem is can be eliminated. Simply follow these instructions.

  1. Examine your child's head to be sure you know what the nits look like. They are tiny greyish-white eggs attached to the hair, near the scalp, especially behind the ears and at the nape of the neck.
  2. Check all other family members to see if they are infested. Any family member with evidence of head lice must also be treated.
  3. Use an effective head lice treatment. Your pharmacist can recommend an effective product. Don't hesitate to ask. When used as directed, it will be very effective in killing head lice.
  4. Remove all nits (lice eggs). Since lice killing treatments do not kill nits, manual removal is necessary. It is extremely important to remove all nits. You can do this with a special lice comb, or your fingernails.
  5. Wash all clothes, bed linens and towels in hot water and dry on hot cycle for at least 20 minutes. Items that cannot be safely washed, such as stuffed animals, should be dry-cleaned or stored outside the home for a minimum of two weeks.
  6. Clean combs and brushes in hot, soapy water. Water should be at least 130 F. It is advisable to let combs and brushes soak in the hot water for 10 minutes.
  7. Vacuum everywhere to make sure your home is free of lice. Vacuum carpets, pillows, mattresses, upholstered furniture; anything that might hold lice. Do a thorough job and discard the vacuum bag promptly.

Head lice survive only on humans, and do not affect family pets. To eliminate head lice and nits from your home, follow the directions above. Doing a thorough job will prevent their spread.

Shepherd Public Schools Policy requires any child sent home for headlice must be rechecked by the school nurse before returning to class.